2025/26 Saturday Monthly Program Details

512-461-9395

Info@natureversity.org

Program Times:

Class Days & Hours: Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Drop-off: Please arrive between 8:50 and 9:15 AM for sign-in. Classes begin at 9:00 AM

Pick-up: Please arrive to pick up and sign out at 3:00 PM

2025/26 Program Dates:

September 6th
October 4th
November 1st (Family Village Day)
December 6th
January 10
February 7
March 7
April 4
May 9 (Campout in Spicewood TX)

Sign-In and Sign-Out:

At each class day students must be signed in every morning and signed out every afternoon by an adult authorized by the parent. Please make a note at sign in if your child is going home with someone else who is not previously listed as authorized. 

No Early Arrivals or Late Pickups:

Although our staff are on site before and after sign in and after sign out, this time is used for class planning and staff debrief and is crucial to providing a great class experience for students. We know that this is challenging for working parents and appreciate your understanding.

What to Bring Each Day for Class:

• Backpack that has two shoulder straps and is comfortable to wear for the day
• Full water bottle or hydration pack (1 liter (32oz) minimum – 2 liters preferred for hotter months)
• Healthy mid-morning & afternoon snacks
• Lunch (we do not allow sharing of food due to allergy risks)
• Mora Fixed Blade Companion Knife (ages 7-12 only)

What NOT to Pack:

• Electronic devices, games, and screen based gadgets (Mobile phones may be carried turned off inside the pack, but are not to be used during camp.)
• Excess extra clothes – an extra layer / rain gear is fine if necessary but please do not pack a change of clothes for after camp in their backpack. This adds extra weight and bulk that tires kids out. Keep these (or a blanket or towel for your muddy child to sit on) in your car for pick up.
• Extra weight. We will be hiking some days, and heavy backpacks become a challenge for everyone. Pack only what is needed for class.

What Your Child Should Wear:

Dress your child in earth tones or camouflage to blend with nature if possible. Choose durable clothes that can get dirty, ripped, or wet—avoid anything too precious. Pro tip for parents, pack a trash bag, towel and spare clothes for the ride home for those dirty mud days.

Cold/Wet Weather:
Layer with wool or synthetic fabrics (avoid cotton, which traps moisture). Include warm hats, gloves, socks, and rain gear. Wool/synthetic long underwear is highly recommended.

Warm/Dry Weather:
Cotton is fine. Apply sunscreen beforehand and pack a sunhat and bug spray as needed.

Keep it simple, practical, and weather-appropriate!

Shoes for Class:

For safety, all students must wear sturdy closed-toe shoes—no sandals, Crocs, or flip-flops. Barefoot play may be allowed with guide approval, depending on conditions.

Recommended footwear includes outdoor brands like Merrell, Keen, or Chaco’s. Closed-toe sandals (e.g., Keens) work well for water activities. If shoes aren’t water-friendly, pack water shoes for creek play. Since creeks potentially contain hazards like glass or metal, footwear is usually required when wading.

Lost & Found:

Please label all belongings (backpacks, clothes, lunchboxes, etc.). Unlabeled items may not be returned. If we find labeled items, we’ll notify you immediately. Report lost items to instructors for help searching. Unclaimed items are kept for one month (or two if requested), then donated or shared within our community.

What to Expect at our School Year Nature Programs

Mornings:

Please arrive between 8:45 AM and 9:15 AM to sign your child in. The instructor of your child’s class will greet you at the class sign-in table. Please keep your child with you until after sign in. At that point your child will be given a name tag, and then invited to join the rest of the group in a game or explore our hands-on nature museum or utilize the nature art supplies bin for those who like a more quiet morning start. This is a good time to check in with the program director if you have any questions or concerns. The program director can pass along any important information to your child’s instructor once the initial arrival phase has passed.

Day to Day Schedule:

Each morning there will be an active nature themed game that students can join as they arrive. We will also have a nature museum set out for those who prefer a quieter or more stationary activity to start off their day. This is followed by one of the staff sharing a story that introduces a general theme or focus for the day. After the story, students join their small groups we call clans for the majority of the day in order to learn all about the various aspects of wilderness skills.

Groupings:

Like all our youth programs, Weekly program students are placed into small groups called clans. If you requested that your child be placed with a friend during registration, we do our best to honor that request but sometimes we are not able to meet every request. Requests for students of significantly different ages to be grouped together will not be accommodated. Typically everyone gets placed where they would like to be.

Nature Mentoring and Connection:

We use children’s natural passions in order to perform our natural flow style of teaching called Nature Mentoring. Our goal is not only to teach kids about nature but more importantly to help them develop better relationships with the earth, their friends, and themselves, all while having wild fun outdoors learning earth-based skills and crafts. You can learn more in the About section of our website. If you have any questions, please email us at info@natureversity.org. We look forward to seeing you at some of our classes & programs soon!

Student Code of Conduct:

Please be sure and read out Student Code of Conduct Policy Here.

Absences:

We don’t require advance notice for any absences. If your child misses 2 consecutive classes, we’ll check in. Note: There are no makeup days for missed classes, regardless of reason. In rare cases (e.g., severe weather), we may cancel or relocate programs. No refunds or makeup days will be provided for cancellations. Each program is evaluated separately—one cancellation doesn’t affect others running that day. Natureversity isn’t liable for any related expenses.