We are so proud of the community we have gathered over the last 13+ years, of our alumni families and the connections we have made, the impact on other local non-profits from our outreach efforts and how we model our mission every day. Our families are the heartbeat of our organization. We have witnessed that children learn best through direct experience - through exploration, wonder, and meaningful time spent in the natural world. They have given their children that gift and in doing so encouraged the next generation of stewards of the earth. At the heart of our work is a common thread of kindness, and compassion. It lives in the way we speak to children, the way we model relationships, the way we care for the earth and animals, and the way we guide children in caring for one another. Shared experiences outside encourage children to slow down, notice one another, help one another, and build meaningful relationships with the world around them. We nurture unhurried exploration and are proud to be a place where childhood does not feel rushed. Young children need time to explore deeply, work through conflict, practice gentleness, and make meaning through real experiences instead of constant stimulation. At the center of our philosophy is the belief that children thrive through companionship: with themselves, with one another, with nature, with caring adults who makes them feel safe to build a relationship with the nature world. We are proud of our families for fostering that by example.