Ferns & Fronds Nature Play Group (8 Week Summer Session)

Ferns & Fronds Nature Play classes offer a gentle way for families to explore and play in nature together while fostering a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. These 100% immersive classes offer space for nature play, time to socialize, hands-on learning, and exploration guided by a trained nature-based educator and naturalist. At Ferns & Fronds classes, we embrace child-led learning through play and healthy, supported risk taking. Each class is unique and welcomes the new discoveries that each season unfolds, but we follow a natural rhythm to help guide our time together:

🍂  Arrive to free exploration of our space and “stations” featuring seasonally relevant activities

🍂  Welcome gathering with a song and seasonally relevant song, finger play, or story

🍂  Group exploration of the wild habitats of the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve that may include games, art experiences, birdwatching, tree climbing, searching under rotting logs, etc.

🍂  Closing gathering circle

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Children ages 15 mo.-5 years plus a favorite adult (younger siblings/worn babies welcome). If your family loves or is interested in spending more time together outside, then these classes are for you! Class size is limited, so please be sure to register early. 

HOW TO PREPARE

These classes are 100% outdoors (cancellations made in extreme, unsafe weather) and designed for children to get messy, muddy, and have fun. Please dress for the weather (kids and adults) with clothing that you don't mind getting ditry. I recommend bringing a change of clothes for the car, or wearing a waterproof outer layer that can easily be removed when it is time to leave. Plan to bring your own water and snacks, though we may occasionally have tea and light snacks to share. 

WHAT IS NATURE PLAY

Have you heard of nature preschools or forest kindergartens? These terms are becoming more popular in the United States as people begin to remember the benefits of spending time outdoors. This educational philosophy is by no means new, in fact, nature-based and outdoor learning began and is still practiced by many Indigenous peoples. But, traditional education has moved away from outdoor-centric views, to the detriment of our children.

Nature preschools, forest kindergartens, and nature play groups embrace the idea that children learn through play and the natural environment is a teacher. Ferns & Fronds Nature Play Group offers a space for families to learn about, explore, and play in nature while building community and fostering a family culture rooted in time spent outside. I use my background as a certified and experienced nature-based educator and naturalist to provide seasonally relevant experiences, uphold safety practices, and model appropriate risk taking. 

Studies show that children who spend unstructured time in nature develop empathy, kindness, and gratitude for each other, themselves, and the natural community. Nature play invites these unstructured opportunities and more! 

PRICING

The cost to drop in is $15 per child, or $20 to drop in with a sibling (worn/carried siblings free). If you would like to register and pay in advance for multiple sessions, the rate is $10 per child ($15 with a sibling). Nature should never be cost prohibitive, so if you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to attend, please email me at emilyamongtheferns@gmail.com.