If you were not able to attend our Winter Conference in Anchorage this year, but would still like to have an incredible PD opportunity a little closer to home, this is your opportunity!
The Iditarod EDU department will be coming to the lower 48 again this summer to help spread the spirit of the race to a new area of the country.
Location: Poland Spring, Maine (~30 minutes north of Portland)
Dates: July 21-24, 2026
Cost: $150
Poland Spring is located about 30 minutes north of Portland, but has an incredible connection to Alaskan dog mushing history. The famed Serum Run musher, Leonhard Seppala, had one of his most famous sled dogs retire in Poland Spring. That dog was Togo. The area has a walking trail dedicated to the famed sled dog and other rich, historical markers, including a statue of Togo himself!
To find out more about the full history, read the article listed here: https://polandspringps.org/togo-the-sled-dog/
Accommodations are on site at the Poland Spring Resort. Attendees will have multiple options for rooms at a discounted rate using our promo code: EDU2026
Reservations can be made here: https://polandspringresort.com/lodging/
Your $150 registration fee includes:
- 3.5 days of presentations and talks from those closest to the Iditarod, mushing, and integrating the race into any curriculum.
- a “Filed Trip Day” on the 22nd to Muddy Paw Kennel in Jefferson, NH. Muddy Paw is a kennel of ~90 sled dogs. Teachers will enjoy a 2 hour meet and greet with the dogs and their handlers, see a team get hooked up, and have a Q&A with the dogs and their humans, plus MORE!
- lunch is included on field trip day
- 20 hours of Professional Development
Presenters and speakers are still being lined up, but so far include:
- Tami Schoff – 2027 Teacher on the Trail
- Kari Wright – 2026 Teacher on the Trail
- Jim Deprez – 2021/2022 Teacher on the Trail
- Erin Montgomery – 2015 Teacher on the Trail
- Annie McGuire – 2017 Teacher on the Trail
- Lara Renner – 2018 Junior Iditarod musher
- Jonathan Hayes – 2025 Centennial Seppala Expedition Musher, author, teacher
- A member of the Can AM Crown
Register NOW using the link here:
https://event.auctria.com/682e9e37-7389-419d-91ab-575d8aba6112/aa6cd270-8751-11e9-a741-3fcfcb35cbb0
