A growing body of literature shows that the natural environment has profound effects on the well-being of adults, including better psychological well-being, superior cognitive functioning, fewer physical ailments and speedier recovery from illness. It is widely accepted that the environment is likely to have a more profound effect on children due to their greater plasticity or vulnerability .

Research is providing convincing evidence of the significant benefits of experiences in nature to children. Findings include:

• Children with symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are better able to concentrate after contact with nature (Taylor 2001).

• Children with views of and contact with nature score higher on tests of concentration and self-discipline. The greener, the better the scores (Wells 2000, Taylor 2002).

• Children who play regularly in natural environments show more advanced motor fitness, including coordination, balance and agility, and they are sick less often (Grahn, et al. 1997, Fjortoft 2001).

• When children play in natural environments, their play is more diverse with imaginative and creative play that fosters language and collaborative skills (Moore & Wong 1997, Taylor, et al. 1998, Fjortoft 2000).

• Exposure to natural environments improves children's cognitive development by improving their awareness, reasoning and observational skills (Pyle 2002).

• Nature buffers the impact of life stress on children and helps them deal with adversity. The greater the amount of nature exposure, the greater the benefits (Wells 2003).

• Play in a diverse natural environment reduces or eliminates bullying (Malone & Tranter 2003).

• Nature helps children develop powers of observation and creativity and instills a sense of peace and being at one with the world (Crain 2001).

• Early experiences with the natural world have been positively linked with the development of imagination and the sense of wonder (Cobb 1977, Louv 1991). Wonder is an important motivator for life long learning (Wilson 1997).

• Children who play in nature have more positive feelings about each other (Moore 1996).

• Natural environments stimulate social interaction between children (Moore 1986, Bixler, Floyd & Hammutt 2002).

• Outdoor environments are important to children's development of independence and autonomy (Bartlett 1996).
  These findings are consistent with the literature showing the benefits of nature to adults.
   

Mediated Experience
Today, with children's lives disconnected from the natural world, their experiences are predominately mediated in media, written language and visual images (Chawla 1994).

The virtual is replacing the real (Pyle 2002). TV, nature documentaries, National Geographic and other nature channels and environmental fundraising appeals are conditioning children to think that nature is exotic, awe-inspiring and in far, far away, places they will never experience (Chipeniuk 1995). Children are losing the understanding that nature exists in their own backyards and neighborhoods, which further disconnects them from knowledge and appreciation of the natural world.

For most of history, when children were free to play, their first choice was often to flee to the nearest wild place - whether it was big tree or brushy area in the yard or a watercourse or woodland nearby (Pyle 2002). Two hundred years ago, most children spent their days surrounded by fields, farms or in the wild nature at its edges. By the late twentieth century, many children's environments had become urbanized (Chawla 1994). But even then, as recently as 1970, children had access to nature and the world at large. They spent the bulk of their recreation time outdoors, using the sidewalks, streets, playgrounds, parks, greenways, vacant lots and other spaces "left over" during the urbanization process or the fields, forests, streams and yards of suburbia (Moore 2004, White & Stoecklin 1998). Children had the freedom to play, explore and interact with the natural world with little or no restriction or supervision.

Not only does the loss of children's contact with the natural world negatively impact the growth and development of the whole child and their acquisition of knowledge, it also sets the stage for a continuing loss of the natural environment. The alternative to future generations who value nature is the continued exploitation and destruction of nature. Research is clearly substantiating that an affinity to and love of nature, along with a positive environmental ethic, grow out of children's regular contact with and play in the natural world (Bunting 1985; Chawla 1988; Wilson 1993; Pyle 1993; Chipeniuk 1994; Sobel 1996, 2002 & 2004; Hart 1997; Moore & Wong 1997; Kals et al. 1999; Moore & Cosco 2000; Lianne 2001; Kellert 2002; Bixler et al. 2002; Kals & Ittner 2003; Schultz et al. 2004).


Our mission is to educate young children through interactive experiences with nature, and to inspire a sense of respect and responsibility for the natural environment.

We offer children to natural habitats and use nature as a tool to help children practice important academic skills (e.g. active listening, observation and problem solving) as they discover the wonders of nature. For many of these children, such trips are their first introduction to nature, and their first time away from their urban environments. Without this program, many would grow up without ever discovering nature's playground within their reach.

Our traveling classroom, takes them to places with exciting learning possibilities in unstructured environments. Children learn about nature in the comfort of their own informal groups, with stories, playful discussions, live animals and objects they can touch and explore.. Children search for animal homes and hideaways, listen for animal activity, mimic the sounds of nature, sing songs, smell and touch plants, learn how to treat plants and animals respectfully, learn about colors, shapes and sizes in nature and so much more They can even dress up as your favorite animal, make your own nature crafts, and enjoy lunch under the trees as you sing along to live music. Friendly lizards, tortoises, and birds will add to the menagerie of fun!

These experiences lead students in multi-sensory and verbal exercises that help them develop early learning skills (listening, sorting, shape recognition) and children interact with nature in gentle ways. This provides an unusual opportunity for children to explore these natural habitats with their classmates. Children get exposed to a range of natural science subjects including mammals, birds, insects, plants and Native customs. All share a love of nature and a desire to pass on their new knowledge and enthusiasm. The objective is fun; the outcome is learning.

It's a great opportunity to celebrate, explore and deepen young children's understanding of nature.

Children are encouraged to become nature detectives - to observe, smell, feel, and listen to the natural environment in an effort to understand it. More importantly, they learn why they should respect nature and the simple steps they can take to preserve it. Once exposed you would also attest to the amazing effect our nature have on the kids...