Place-Based Learning
The land where we play is not only a physical space for gathering, but it is an inspiration for play and learning, a source of knowledge, an opportunity to explore the natural world throughout the seasons, a tangible connection to the past and the story of peoples, a lesson in nurturting community, and a piece of our greater ecosystem that provides oxygen, water, food, and natural resources. The natural world points us back to our Creator and invites connection. Nature has a way of refreshing our spirit and renewing a sense of gratitude and awe.
How do we Learn Togther?
There is not one right way to learn or to make sense of the world. Inquiry, conversation, storytelling, listening and observing, art, crafting, projects, reading, and direct instruction, are just a few examples. It is valuable to observe children so that we can provide a variety of meaningful individually-appropriate learning opportunities.
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All of us are life-long learners on an exciting adventure of making connections- with intellectual knowledge, emotional and spiritual understanding, human relationships, and sensory-motor development. ​​In everyday life, academic disciplines are interconnected in a wonderful way. Science, technology, engineering, art and math are interconnected and meaningful.
Supporting the development of the whole person has long term value. Developing interroception, motor skills, self-esteem, executive function skills, social skills and self-regulation are foundational tools for our children--and these tools are invaluable for us as adults too!
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Responsive caregivers, conversation, and social exchanges scaffold learning. There is something powerful about recognizing that each of us has something valuable to offer. There are different seasons of growing and resting and flourishing. And we can nourish a healthy community where everyone - children, youth, and adults- can thrive, contribute, and care for others.
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Play Leads the Way
Free play is fundamental to healthy physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Neuroscience has shown that it is key to brain development in the early years. It affords children the time and space to discover meaning in the world around them and to practice skills at their own pace.
Structured play is also valuable for providing children with meaningful opportunities offered
by the educator, a parent, or guest. These might include safe access to tools, introduction to
new skills, campfires or story time, investigating specific topics, and exploring materials in
a designated area.
Making time for play continues to benefit us our whole lives! It is a powerful motivator that fuels holistic development for every child in a natural way. And play is good for teens, parents, and aging adults too!
While we provide space and resources for direct instruction, workshops, and facilitator designed opportunities, we believe that new skills and knowledge can be explored in a safe, open-ended context. Let's create outdoor programs with balance that supports participants with different ages, abilities, interests, and strengths.
Let's be advocates for play!
What about Risky Play?
When we offer children freedom to explore, get dirty, try again, climb higher, go faster, rough & tumble, or hide & seek, risky play affords children the opportunity to develop self-awareness, to build resilience and to set healthy boundaries.
Children benefit from time to engage in such activities under the care and supervision of responsive adults who will observe, support, redirect or intervene as appropriate. Questions like “What do you see?” “Does that feel safe?”
“Do you have a plan?” “Where can you step next?” prompt reflection and empower
children as they develop situational awareness, cause and effect, balance and motor
planning, problem solving, skills mastery, and a sense of confidence.
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Forest and
Nature School
Our Program list includes Forest and Nature School Programming developed by an Outdoor Practionner. These programs support inquiry based, emergent, experiential learning with repeated access to natural spaces and a dedicated outdoor educator.
Head over to the "Program Registration" section to see what is available!
