Monthly Programs

Participating in Nature

North & South Austin  |  Ages 7 – 9

Ages

7 – 9 (Hawks)

2024/2025 Dates

South / North
Sep 14 / 21
Oct 5 / 12
Nov 2 / 9
Dec 7 / 14
Jan 11 / 18
Feb 1 / 8
Mar 1 / 8
Apr 5 / 12
May 10 / 17 (Family Campout)

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Time

9:00am – 3:00pm

Location

Cedar Park &
South Austin

Tuition

$800  or

$200 Deposit &
$200/month payments
for 3 Months

Join us for one Saturday each month for a full day of outdoor adventure and play in the Texas Hill Country. As we wander and explore we will discover knowledge of local hazards as well as trees, plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects in their natural settings. Our skilled naturalist instructors will guide your children on amazing nature quests that will foster a deep love and connection to our natural world. Students will also learn about native skills of survival so they feel more at home in the woods when camping and exploring. Throughout the year participants will also explore: 

  • Nature hikes
  • Safety in nature
  • Animal forms
  • Nature arts & crafts
  • Plants & trees
  • Bird sounds
  • Seasonal rhythms
  • Stories & songs
  • Making nature art
  • Creek exploration
  • Survival skills
  • Traditional archery

Our Youth Monthly Nature Program maintains a low child to mentor ratio with 1 instructor per 9 children. We also may be accompanied by teen mentors in training or parent volunteers. 

Our day begins with fun games in the field or wooded areas; Opening Circle follows and includes stories, thanksgiving, songs and wild movement. The group then sets off on a quest to discover wisdom about the natural world around them using: guided wanderings, games, awareness skills, creative play, natural movement, songs, scavenger hunts, drawing, and more help us to explore the theme of the day. With nature being our true mentor, our day can often unfold in a variety of unique ways!

Lunch often takes place a little off trail or at the area we are using to practice our skills or work on our projects. After lunch we may relax near the waters edge in the shade and then get in on hotter days. Perhaps build a fire to stay warm on the colder days. Mentors may have another activity or game set up also for students to have fun with. We conclude our day by sharing our stories about the lesson, an opportunity to reflect upon our day and share through words, songs, movement or funny skits.

Our mentors help each child discover their own unique gifts, foster their growing self-reliance, and cultivating community among these young earth stewards. In this way, children come to feel at home with their own inner self and that of the earth. Throughout the year, and moving with the seasons, our curriculum offers explorations that are exciting, safe and fun.