The outdoors is our classroom! Interacting with nature builds confidence, promotes creativity and imagination, teaches responsibility, provides sensory stimulation, gets kids moving, sparks a unique sense of wonder, and reduces stress and fatigue. Learning unfolds naturally as children observe and wonder together.
A Classroom Without Walls
A day in our outdoor classroom
- A musical circle time with rhythm, songs, and memorization
- Learning about the natural environment during guided nature hikes
- Nature-based arts and crafts
- Unstructured play allowing kids to interact meaningfully with their peers and surroundings
- Balancing, climbing, jumping, running and a variety of gross motor skills activities
- Problem-solving and critical thinking through exploration and observation
- Children’s literature inspired by nature and the outdoors
Children learn to open their senses as they venture out on weekly guided nature walks throughout local nature preserves, city, and county parks. Topics and locations will vary from week to week, but are specifically designed for children ages 24 months to 8 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver at all times. Siblings* younger than 24 months old are welcome to join at no additional cost.
Each class lasts about an hour and a half and includes circle time, guided nature walks, songs, children’s literature, and nature art. The hiking trails are easy, but most have uneven surfaces and some steps may be involved, so comfortable closed-toe shoes should be worn at all times along with hats and sunscreen. Classes are held rain or shine, so weather-appropriate attire is strongly encouraged.