Our Values
Self-Esteem and Confidence
Through learning in a cooperative environment with story-telling, group challenges, and self-directed projects, children are mentored to see their natural gifts and feel appreciated for them.
A Culture of Belonging
Through practicing conflict resolution and other social and emotional skill sets, children receive individual attention in their interpersonal growth and build a strong community bond. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and their actions, and learn how to better care for each other and the world around them.
Small Group/ Experiential/ Collaborative/ Learning
We believe learning through experience supports the whole growth of the individual.
Our multidisciplinary educational approach allows children to learn & explore distinct subjects from various prespectives.
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Appreciation for and Connection to Nature
Through unstructured play outdoors, guidance in exploring nature, and enduring the elements, children gain strength to overcome challenges and feel a responsibility to care for themselves, each other and the natural world.
Creative Expression
We allow for ample time for children to explore their innate tendencies for creative play! We explore musical instruments and vocal play, art projects, theater, dance, yoga and more.
Social and Emotional Intelligence
We believe that there is more to a well rounded individual then being intelledtually intelligent. Our focus on social and emotional skills allows for your child to better interact with their peers and learn how to regulate their emotions.
Skills and Knowledge for Environmental Stewardship
Through learning about local ecology, children are able to make more sustainable choices, gain passion to care for their community, and become leaders.
Mental, Physical and Emotional Well-being
The health of our mind, body and spirit (as well as our plantet) is a foundational theme for the children in our outdoor program. Our goal is to help support children to learn how to listen to and honor their own authentic needs, building on practices that will serve them throughout their lifetime.
Our Philosophy
Small Groups
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We provide a small group experience for your child to learn, grow and thrive. This encourages an intimate connection to the land, to the other children and our teachers.
Learning science research has shown that small-group learning improves academic achievement, relationships with peers and instructors, and promotes psychological well-being.
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Small-group instruction provides opportunities for flexible and differentiated learning. With a smaller number of children, a child has more chances to participate, to feel heard and validated in their experience. Our teachers are able to monitor your child's needs and strength better, thus providing more individualized feedback, support and coaching.
We create a tailored experience for your child, allowing for the highest level of potential and holistic health to shine through.
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Collaborative Learning
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Research shows that educational experiences that are active, social, contextual, engaging, and student-owned allow for deeper learning.
The benefits of collaborative learning include:
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Development of higher-level thinking, oral communication, self-management, and leadership skills.
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Promotion of student - teacher interaction, trust and connection.
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Increased feelings of belonging, self-esteem, and responsibility.
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Exposure to and an increase in understanding of diverse perspectives.
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Preparation for real life social situations.
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Outdoor Education
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Outdoor learning improves child development.
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By heading outside and learning in nature, kids improve their emotional, intellectual, and behavioral development. Outdoor learning helps foster the development of creativity, problem-solving, independence, and confidence.
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Play and Emergent Based Curriculum
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Unstructured play allows children the freedom to explore, create and discover without predetermined rules or guidelines. It's been shown to foster cognitive development while boosting physical development and social and emotional development.
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Emergent curriculum is based on the premise that children are most successful at learning when curriculum experiences account for their interests, strengths, needs, and lived realities.
We implement a hybrid program finding a dynamic flow between planned curriculum based on what is naturally emerging from the childrens interests and allowing for unstructured play in which coaching opportunities present themselves organically for a child's social, emotional and intellectual growth.
