Children-in-nature

All Ages

Two children in yellow waterproof jackets are crouched down, playing in a muddy puddle on a grassy area with fallen autumn leaves. They are holding plastic cups, possibly engaged in a water play activity.

Located on 10.5 acres of gardens, open fields, wooded trails, and greenhouse space, The Child Care & Learning Center offers children daily opportunities to learn in and from the natural world.

Outdoor learning is not a special event. It’s part of our everyday rhythm.

Nature as a classroom

Each classroom has access to a dedicated outdoor learning space designed to support exploration, movement, and discovery. Beyond these spaces, children engage with the broader campus — trails, fields, and gardens — as extensions of their classroom environment.

Through the Children in Nature program, educators intentionally connect indoor learning with outdoor experiences. Children investigate, build, observe, question, and create.

Confidence through experience

Nature-based learning supports:

  • Resilience and independence

  • Problem-solving and risk assessment

  • Curiosity and inquiry

  • Physical development

  • Environmental stewardship

Children are encouraged to make decisions, take appropriate risks, and try new experiences in a safe, supervised setting.

Every day, every season

All children spend time outdoors daily when conditions are safe. We believe that fresh air, movement, and contact with the natural environment are essential components of healthy development.

From muddy discoveries to quiet observation, children learn that exploration is part of growing.