Growing Up Outdoors Series
Growing Up Outdoors is a three-part parent support series designed to guide parents from babyhood through preschool as they build confidence and joy in nature. Beginning with Baby Steps, parents learn to get comfortable with the logistics of getting outside with their youngest babies and establish a foundation of connection in and with nature. In Toddler Trailblazers, parents explore safe ways to channel curiosity and energy outdoors while troubleshooting the common challenges of toddlers in nature. Finally, Preschool Pathways helps parents feel prepared to nurture creativity, confidence, and independence outdoors.
The goal of the series is to help each family weave intentional outdoor time into their family culture. Each stage blends presentation of relevant and interesting research, practical tips, large and small group discussion, resource sharing, and personal reflection work - all in a welcoming community of families.
Whether you’re new to outdoor adventures or already a nature-lover, this series grows with you and your child, helping your family create lasting memories and a lifelong bond with the natural world.
What makes this series unique
This isn’t your typical “song and dance” outdoor class for kids. This a series of classes designed for you, the parent. This series of classes are meant to inspire you to think critically and intentionally about your family’s values and culture when it comes to spending time outside. We will delve into the benefits of the outdoors for parents and children, reflect on our own personal “why”, think about barriers for ourselves and others, make plans to overcome challenges, and share our thoughts with one another. During class we will help you strike a balance between supervising your child and letting them explore, which opens up time for adult-peer conversations which are at the heart of each class.
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At the beginning of our gathering the facilitator will introduce the day’s main topic and share relevant research-based information. Next we will dive in to a number of related discussion questions and practical idea sharing both as a large group and in smaller groups (especially as the group naturally moves around following the children). We will ebb and flow in this way for a majority of the class - coming together for a few minutes as a large group to hear the next discussion question, flowing back out into smaller groups to think and discuss, then coming together again to share thoughts and dive into the next question. Each class will end with some take-home work often involving a self reflection question, preparations or plan-making, or an outdoor experience.
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In the Baby Steps classes babies are mostly non-mobile and hang out on their blankets, in strollers, in carriers, or sitting in a parent’s lap. They take in all of the conversation around them, watch the trees move, and grab at pinestraw.
In the Toddler Trailblazer classes toddlers are more “on the go” and as a group we may meander around the outdoor space following behind the toddlers simply as safety monitors as we chat.
In the Preschool Pathways classes preschool aged kids are again encouraged to “find their own fun” while parents intentionally hang back and watch the magic unfold while disucssing the days topic.
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The short answer is: no! If you want to come by yourself please feel free to do so! Having your child present can help you practice the art of observing outdoor play, not intervening except when needed for safety, etc. And your child can practice some independent exploration and play skills. But those are bonus opportunities and not having your child present will not detract from your experience in the class.
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Each class will meet at a different outdoor location so that you can experience several different outdoor settings during your class session. Each session will operate within a 20-30 minute radius.
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Yes! Check back soon!
Class Descriptions
Baby Steps
Age: aproximately 0-9 months
Duration: 1hr class, 4 weeks
Description: Bring your baby and your sense of wonder to our “Baby Steps” classes! This class is designed to help parents confidently enjoy the outdoors with their littlest babies. Some topics that will be covered during these classes include: your “why” of wanting to spend time outside, evidence-based benefits of being outdoors, creating a family culture that includes nature, dressing baby for the weather, reading baby’s cues outside, finding nearby nature, baby-specific outdoor gear, and more. You’ll leave class with a personalized family nature plan to carry you through babyhood and beyond.
Toddler Trailblazing
Age: approximately 12-24 months
Duration: 1hr class, 4 weeks
Description: Bring your toddler and your spirit of curiosity to our “Toddler Trailblazing” classes! This class is designed to help parents discover how to make outdoor time both safe and fun for active toddlers. Some topics that will be covered during these classes include: why outdoor play matters for development, ways to weave outdoor rituals into family life, dressing for messy play, encouraging exploration while setting boundaries, handling big emotions outside, toddler-specific outdoor gear, and more. You’ll leave class with a nuanced family nature plan for the toddler years.
Preschool Pathways
Age: approximately 2.5-4 years
Duration: 1hr class, 4 weeks
Description: Bring your preschooler and your sense of adventure to our “Preschool Pathways” classes! This class is designed to help parents fuel curiosity, creativity, and independence in the preschool years. Some topics that will be covered during these classes include: the role of outdoor play in school readiness, the importance of unstructured play, risky play and risk assesment, planning successful nature outings, preschool-specific outdoor gear, troubleshooting common barriers, and more. You’ll leave class with an intentional family nature plan for the preschool years.