Wildheart Nature School offers transformational outdoor experiences in an enriching, educational, and fun environment. We teach a variety of homeschool, afterschool, weekend, field trip, and summer programs for children ages 2 – 13 at locations such as Juniper Jungle Farm, Dillon Falls, and Skyliner Lodge. Of the many moons humans have walked upon this planet, only in recent years have we spent so
much time indoors with televisions, phones, and computers that enable us to become increasingly removed from material and social reality. There have been countless studies in recent years illuminating why spending time outdoors is vital for children’s development. According to the articles in Children and Nature: Psychological, Sociocultural, and Evolutionary Investigations edited by Peter Kahn and Stephen Kellert, during and after outdoor experiences, children experience higher levels of mental, emotional, and physical health, better concentration, greater interpersonal skills, increased self-discipline, more advanced problem-solving skills, less stress, and enhanced creativity among many other benefits. At Wildheart, we believe that every adventure into the woods is an exercise in imagination and opens the door for a compelling story to be woven. Our students learn how to speak the language of nature that is innate to their ancestral heritage, giving them access to a world of mystery, adventure, and discovery. We transform the experience of being outdoors into an opportunity for learning through observation, artistic expression, and active imagination. By asking the right questions at the right moments, we teach our students how to engage Mother Nature and to go deeply into her mysteries. Our programs encourage children to open to their own understanding of nature, directly leading to increased self-confidence, empowerment, and deep connection with the natural world. Although we teach factual information about the environment in our school, we also emphasize the importance of simply feeling the aliveness in nature. We support transpersonal growth through physical, emotional, and spiritual activities. Topics discussed include nature arts & crafts, sensory awareness, primitive skills, survival skills, tracking, ecology, community building, plant identification, uses of plants, and farm skills. Before you leave, make sure to subscribe to our mailing list and receive Wildheart’s Four-Season Guide to Outdoor Activities and Crafts, fun newsletters, and information on upcoming events! Our Mission
Wildheart Nature School is dedicated to empowering young people and adults through our holistic model of nature-based education.
