TimberNook Greater Ascension Parish

09/14/2026

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09/13/2026

09/13/2026

Love this summary of the adults role at TimberNook!

📷Here’s a picture of one of our staff in the woods 🌿on Friday. At TimberNook, the role of the adult is much different than most other programs that children attend.

Adults at TimberNook step back and tune in.👀💚This particular staff is sitting about thirty yards back from a popular treehouse tree, ready to give support (in conflict or negotiation) and help assess risk (when building forts or climbing trees) if needed.

Because at TimberNook, we believe that some of the most powerful moments in play happen when adults resist the urge to step in.

We create space for children to:
✨ Freely choose how, where, and what they play
✨ Take healthy risks and test their own limits
✨ Work through disagreements and find their own solutions
✨ Make decisions and experience the natural consequences of those choices
✨ Discover what they are capable of — without an adult doing it for them
✨ Build confidence through authentic, self-directed experiences
✨ Develop intrinsic motivation by experiencing the joy of doing, creating, and figuring things out for themselves

Stepping back doesn’t mean we aren’t paying attention. Quite the opposite. We are watching, listening, and staying connected — ready to support when needed, while giving children the time and space to try, struggle, problem-solve, negotiate, and succeed on their own.

Because that’s the end that we want: kids who aren’t afraid to try, struggle, problem-solve, negotiate, and succeed on their own. 🙌🙌🙌

09/11/2026

🏴‍☠️ DAY 1 OF TIMBERNOOK CASTAWAYS! 🏴‍☠️

What a way to kick off Castaways! 🌿

Today was filled with fort building, climbing, running, war play, treasure hunts, exploring, and A LOT of imagination!

But underneath all that wild play, something even more important was happening…

✨ Conflict resolution — figuring things out together
✨ Bonding — making new connections and building friendships
✨ Resilience — trying, failing, adapting, and trying again
✨ Physical exercise — climbing, running, lifting, balancing and moving
✨ Emotional regulation — navigating big feelings, excitement, frustration and success
✨ Creative problem solving — turning sticks, ropes, tires and loose parts into something amazing

This is why we believe play is powerful.

Kids aren't just "playing outside." They're practicing the skills they'll carry with them far beyond the forest.

And honestly… they're having an absolute BLAST while they're doing it! 🌲💚

Castaways runs for 8 Fridays, and drop-in days are available!

🏴‍☠️ Come get a little wild with us!

👉 Register for all 8 weeks:

https://timbernook.com/program/castaways-timbernook-baton-rouge/

👉 Drop in for a single day:

https://timbernook.com/program/castaways-timbernook-baton-rouge-2/

09/11/2026

🌿🏕️ LAST-MINUTE REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 🏕️🌿

Castaways starts THIS FRIDAY! 🎉

Does your child love to build, climb, explore, create, problem-solve, and get messy? Then Castaways is for them!

For 8 Fridays, kids will head into the woods for child-led outdoor play where they’ll have opportunities to:

🌳 Build forts & structures
🪢 Create and experiment with pulleys, ropes & loose parts
💪 Build strength, confidence & capability
🤝 Practice teamwork & conflict resolution
🧠 Solve real problems creatively
🍃 Explore, climb & PLAY!

Choose what works for your family:
🏕️ 8 Weeks — $275
Fridays • 12–3 PM • Ages 4–12

👉 REGISTER FOR ALL 8 WEEKS

🌿 Drop-In Day — $45

Want to try TimberNook before committing? Come for a single Friday!

👉 REGISTER FOR A DROP-IN DAY

✨ Can’t make this session?

Our next 6-week Friday Castaways session is coming up!

👉 CHECK OUT THE NEXT SESSION

If you’ve been thinking about trying TimberNook… THIS IS YOUR SIGN! 🌲

Come get muddy. Build something amazing. Make new friends. Discover what you’re capable of.

📍 The Haven of Ascension | Gonzales, LA
Limited spots available—register today!

09/10/2026

Risk assessment is the first part of teaching children how to move safely through this world, experiencing different environments is just one way to build this skill.

Does this photo make you nervous? Good.

“By NOT allowing a child to take risk, we’re actually creating a child that is more unsafe.”
— Angela Hanscom

That ladder.
That height.
That moment of uncertainty.

That’s where learning happens.

We don’t need to rush in every time a child wobbles.
We don’t need to make every challenge easier.

Sometimes, the best thing we can do is step back.

Let them climb.
Let them assess.
Let them figure it out.

Because confidence doesn’t come from being kept safe.

It comes from discovering you can handle hard things.



Photo credit NEW HAMPSHIRE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

09/09/2026

🌲 What a day at TimberNook! 🌲
We had the absolute joy of hosting a local school for a field trip today—and the excitement was contagious! ❤️

The kids built amazing forts, created swings and pulley systems, explored the woods, climbed trees, worked together, problem-solved, and got wonderfully messy.

But the best part? Watching their faces light up as they discovered what they were capable of.

Hearing the kids talk about what they enjoyed most…
Seeing how proud they were of the things they created…
Watching them figure things out together, help one another, and turn an idea into something REAL…
Those are the moments that make what we do so rewarding.

At TimberNook, we believe children need opportunities to create, explore, take healthy risks, solve problems, and experience the pride that comes from doing something for themselves.

Today was a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do. 🌿

🏫 Want to bring your class or group to TimberNook?

We offer hands-on nature enrichment field trips for schools, homeschool groups, and local organizations.

📩 Email Jessica at [email protected] with your group name, approximate number of children, and preferred dates to start planning your visit!

🌲 TimberNook Baton Rouge
📍 The Haven of Ascension

09/08/2026

🌲 TREES HAVE A SECRET… AND YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM MAY BENEFIT.

Trees naturally release compounds called phytoncides—volatile chemicals found in forest air.

Research on forest bathing has found that exposure to these compounds is associated with increased activity of natural killer (NK) cells, an important part of our immune system. 🌿🫁

So that deep breath of fresh forest air?
It may be doing more than simply smelling good. 💚

At TimberNook, we believe there’s something powerful about giving children time to move, explore, breathe deeply, get dirty, and connect with the natural world.

🌲 More time outside. More connection with nature. More opportunities for healthy development.

09/08/2026

Happy Labor Day from TimberNook! 🌿🇺🇸

Today we celebrate the hard work of the adults who support our children—and the incredible “work” children do through PLAY!

At TimberNook, outdoor child-led play helps children build social skills, conflict resolution, creativity, motor skills, emotional regulation, and sensory integration—all while having fun and making memories. 💚

Here’s to letting kids get outside, get messy, take risks, and GROW! 🌳✨

Ready to let your child experience the magic of TimberNook? 🌿

Check out our upcoming programs and register today at TimberNook.com!

09/07/2026

Can’t wait to see what new critters we catch at Castaways! Starting this Friday. Spots still available, www.timbernook.com, TimberNook Baton Rouge, Gonzales location.