Creekside Nature Unschool

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Creekside Nature Unschool Outdoor early childhood enrichment where faith, play, and curiosity grow.

10/01/2026

Where does all this water go? Following the streams and creeks to see where they converge and go.

Asian Trampsnail - invasive but still beautiful.
09/30/2026

Asian Trampsnail - invasive but still beautiful.

09/30/2026

Process Art! Painting Walnuts in their husk.

09/29/2026

Risk in play—especially gross motor play.

We can take all the risk out, watch challenging behaviors rule, and see Lord of the Flies materialize in front of us. Or we can allow a certain amount of developmentally appropriate risk to engage and challenge children’s bodies and minds—all while they build friendships and learn about their bodies in the physical world.

I choose appropriate risk over cinder block walls and chaos.

09/29/2026

This little guy really peaked my interest with his painting technique yesterday. He was truly experimenting with the paint and stayed with this activity long after everyone else had finished. He walked around the table dipping his brush into every open paint cup. He had layers of colored paint on it. Then he would take the brush and gently dab it on the round walnut causing layers of paint to drip down and swirl as he rocked the nut with the paint brush tip. Before they dried, the walnuts looked like magnificent, colored marbles. It was fascinating to stand and watch him work. Early learning in the woods for the win. Process art is fun.

09/28/2026

Playing with common leaves and colors as well as spiders found in the Pinewood Classroom and here at Dickson Valley Camp and Retreat center.

This is my own felt-board adaptation of a traditional hide-and-seek storytime activity. Inspired by storytime versions commonly used by librarians and teachers; this adaptation and pieces are my own.

Using the basic attributes we have discussed and applied, we can tell a tree by it’s seed and leaf shape.
09/28/2026

Using the basic attributes we have discussed and applied, we can tell a tree by it’s seed and leaf shape.

09/27/2026

Last night, we had our Annual Family Camp Out. A night full of adventure on Blizzard Slopes tubing, the slingshot course, and running around with friends and glow sticks, giggling and playing.

We shared a meal, had some laughs, made s’mores, and ended the evening with a story about the Harvest Moon. The weather was perfect and gave us the opportunity to observe many types of amazing spiders, deer, owls, coyotes, geese, and bats.

Those of us who camped had breakfast and ended our morning with a beautiful hike through crepuscular rays and dew, identifying tree seeds, fungi, berries, and all sorts of green plant life.

Mark this as your “Do-Not-Miss-This” event for next year. We’ll be welcoming back alumni for it as well.

Address

Newark, IL

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 2pm
Tuesday 8am - 2pm
Wednesday 8am - 2pm
Thursday 7am - 2pm

Telephone

+18152004905

Website

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