The Nature School

Once Weekly, Drop-off Program | Register by Semester
Wednesdays | 9-2:30pm

Child-Honoring

"Children are born persons," Charlotte Mason once wrote. Our curriculum is cultivated around interdisciplinary themes to provide meaningful and contextual learning experiences that honor and adapt to the interests of each group of learners.

Christ-Centered

Where worship is core, the Scriptures are taught, sung, and memorized. Nature is studied with awe and wonder at the hand of their Creator.

Nature-Focused

Our Creator made us to connect with him and what he made. Nature beckons us to learn more, to linger, to explore, and that is exactly what we will do at the Nature School.

Outdoor-Loving

Unstructured, outdoor play is core to the Nature School's programming - rain, snow, or shine! Appropriate outerwear will be necessary for our adventures on the beautiful property of Camp Men O Lan.

Where You'll Find Us

Outside. A lot of the time.
But truly, we are so grateful to Camp Men O Lan for hosting our program. They have a variety of places and spaces for us to explore and grow into as more families join our community.

A Living Curriculum

The Interdisciplinary approach meets Charlotte Mason

At the Nature School, we will trace interdisciplinary themes (think "patterns" or "loyalty," rather than "pumpkins" or "ladybugs") across different subject areas while engaging with core components of a Charlotte Mason approach such as scripture, nature, living books, art, music, poetry, and relevant science or social studies topics. The interdisciplinary theme acts like a container for children to look for relevant connections as they engage with learning experiences and collaborate with their peers.

Our Daily Rhythm

Drop-off & Soft Start

9:00-9:30 AM

This is intentionally a window of time to support families in starting their day unhurried and relaxed. Upon arrival, children will have time to settle in and find unstructured ways to connect with one another and acclimate to the new environment before we start our day.

Morning Circle & Bible Time

9:30-10:00 AM

Our time to connect with one another and our Creator. This time is essential to our daily rhythm and functioning as a community. Children will have an opportunity to share, connect with each other, worship together, and learn from his word.

Theme Touchpoint

10:00-10:15 AM

Here we will introduce what our current theme is and what we have learned so far from it. We will explore it through exposure to nature or the arts as we set the tone for our learning that day.

Activity Blocks

10:15-11:45 AM

Will vary by the day, but it will include engaging activities, nature explorations and journaling, crafts and creating time, and much more with a mid-way extended break for a game or intentional movement & a snack from their lunchbox.

Lunch

11:45-12:15 PM

Community is built around a table, and with children, it is no different. We will picnic when the weather permits and enjoy the God-given pleasantries of table fellowship.

Read Aloud & Regroup

12:15-12:30 PM

Everyone needs an after-lunch regroup time. Our read aloud will intentionally connect to our interdisciplinary theme and enrich our community of learning together. Children will practice informal narration to close our time.

Activity Block

12:30-1:00 PM

A more concentrated activity time that will fluctuate from session to session depending on the learning opportunities of the day.

Unstructured Outdoor Play

1:00-2:00 PM

Perhaps the most exciting (and arguably most important) time of our day, we will head out on the property of Camp Men O Lan and the children will have the opportunity to explore, build, create, and play with their peers.

Closing Time

2:00-2:30 PM

After the excitement of our day together, we will spend some time reflecting on what we have learned and played. Time will also be given for students to give encouragement to one another, celebrate their victories, and identify any challenges or lingering questions to explore. Pick up will begin at 2:30 PM.

What the Nature School is not -

A hybrid program that includes required, take-home work
A full curriculum for your 1-4th grader's homeschool
Linear instruction in key subject areas

What the Nature School is -

An enrichment, nature-emersed learning opportunity for children to learn, grow, and explore together with their friends
Biblically-based, with weekly bible teaching and scripture memorization
Exposure to a cross-section of art, music, movement, and literature within the theme we are exploring as a community
Integrated science and social studies components interwoven throughout our learning as we follow our study and the ebb and flow of the seasons