Explore Our
NATURE PROGRAMS
DAY IN THE DIRT
Join us in your Sunday worst for some fun in the sun - or rain! We gather once a month to learn, play, relax, and rejuvenate at our local nature parks and preserves.
During our check outs, our beloved community used words such as "relaxed," "excited," "peaceful," and "happy" to describe how we all felt after our 120 minutes of nature time.
"Auntie, it was the most fun I ever had!"
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming dates. Suggested donation: $20/family. No registration needed.
We hope to see you there!
CLUB FOR EXPLORERS
School Year Schedule: 2:30-4:30pm, Thursdays and Fridays
Summer Schedule (June 14-July 30): 1:30-3:30pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
@ Local Forest Preserves and Park
Ages 4-15
What could be a better antidote to a week - or year! - of Zoom learning than unplugged, outdoor exploring? Join our staff of outdoor educators, yoga instructors and speech pathologists for a club like no other!
In a physically distanced social club, we nurture wellness and creative problem solving while providing nature experiences and mindfulness around eating, breathing, resting and joyful play.
Using Nature120’s curriculum that pairs evidenced-based wellness practices with the natural cycles of the seasons, we will provide mindfulness practices around breathing, eating, and resting while we engage in youth-directed exploration and play in the forest Using circle group facilitation techniques and story, we will also explore developmentally appropriate civics and racial awareness. The Club for Explorers is a perfect complement to hybrid learning, remote learning, or homeschooling families.
With small groups and low staff to child ratios, we welcome children with and without disabilities. The program cost ranges from $50-$125/session, depending on income and services included. There are a variety of ways to pay, including sliding scale fees and insurance. Our goal is to work with families so that cost is not an obstacle to participate.
For more information, contact us at info@nature120.org or (917) 620-7916.
For a sneak peak into the program, check out the field notes from our recent adventures!
NATURE PLAY GROUP
School Year Schedule: 8-10am, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Summer Schedule (June 14 - July 30): Weekdays, 9-10am
In Oak Park, IL for ages 2 to 5
A play group for our youngest explorers! Join our team of educators, musicians, yoga instructors, speech pathologists and storytellers for a multicultural, physically distant social outdoor play experience. Using best practices for physical distancing, child-led nature play, language, literacy and quantitative exploration and mindful wellness practices for healthy eating, breathing and posture, we will provide safe and supportive space for your child to play and grow. Our staff is intentionally diverse in terms of race, age, gender, ability and language use, and our recruitment and grouping policies will be equally diverse.
Our sessions will be held outdoors in all weather with 2:1 child to adult ratios and warming stations. Play will be exclusively offered with natural materials, and kids will be encouraged to get their hands dirty!
The children will lead the play in mindfully designed nature stations around a backyard, outdoor space. They will learn skills for chewing, swallowing, and breathing to provide the foundations for a lifetime of better eating and sleeping. We will share books and music that celebrate individual wellness and mindfulness, joy in nature and racial, gender, language and neurodiversity and teach age appropriate awareness of privilege.
Appropriate for children with and without disabilities.
The program cost ranges from $50-$125/session, depending on income and services included. There are a variety of ways to pay, including sliding scale fees and insurance. Our goal is to work with families so that cost is not an obstacle to participate.
For more information, contact us at info@nature120.org or (917) 620-7916 or register here.
SPLASH & CHOW CLUB
Summer Schedule (June 14 - July 30): 12:30-2:30pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays
In Oak Park, IL for ages 2 to 12
Join us for water play followed by physically distanced social snacking as we learn new myofunctional and feeding skills, build friendships and have a lot of fun!
Staffed with 3-4 experienced speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, this camp will provide opportunities for sensory exploration , interpersonal communication and friendship development and feeding/myofunctional growth.
Appropriate for children with and without disabilities.
Attendance is flexible! Join us for one, all, or anything in between! For more information, contact us at info@nature120.org or (917) 620-7916 or register here.