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- My kids went to an outdoor elementary school with no art, music, or library. They loved it, but adjusting to public school was hard. (businessinsider.com)
From Pandemic Ponderings to Outdoor Paradise: One Family’s Journey Through Nature-Based Learning
The unexpected upheaval of the 2020 pandemic forced countless families to reevaluate their educational paths, and for one local family, it led them down an extraordinary, nature-filled road. What began as a temporary solution to school closures blossomed into a multi-year adventure in outdoor learning that profoundly shaped their children’s formative years.
In 2019, a 5-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter were eagerly anticipating their public school debut. But when COVID-19 swept through the nation in March 2020, classrooms emptied, leaving parents scrambling for alternatives.
For this family, the answer lay in an outdoor learning program offered by The Learning Tree, a local daycare. And according to the parents, this unique educational experience surpassed all expectations.
The Great Outdoors: A Pandemic-Proof Solution
The decision to opt for an outdoor school was primarily driven by pandemic-related anxieties. The thought of potential two-week class shutdowns due to COVID exposure was a non-starter for parents balancing full-time jobs, not to mention the disruptive impact on their children’s learning.
That summer, The Learning Tree unveiled its K/1 program, promising an interactive, accelerated education with small class sizes (around 12 students), project-based and student-led learning, and a healthy balance of academics, outdoor activities, and healthy habits. Despite a weekly tuition of $125 per child, the allure of smaller classes, reduced exposure, and included after-school care sealed the deal.
Their daughter enrolled in kindergarten and their son in first grade for the 2020-2021 school year. As the program expanded to include second and then third grade in subsequent years, the family continued their journey with The Learning Tree, captivated by the benefits it offered.
Trading Traditional for Trailblazing
While the outdoor learning school lacked some of the typical public school amenities like a library, computer lab, cafeteria, art, music, or gym classes, it more than made up for it with its distinctive offerings.
Forget the standard gym class; students at The Learning Tree enjoyed an in-ground swimming pool, with swimming integrated into the curriculum during warmer months. A mile-long nature trail and morning fitness exercises served as their physical education.
Students actively participated in building gardens and growing food, which often found its way into their lunches. Screen time was minimal, almost nonexistent, fostering a deeply engaging, hands-on environment.
Parental involvement was also a cornerstone of the program. Families embarked on kayaking trips as part of history lessons and celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with special school-wide events.
Instead of abstract math word problems, students acted them out in real-time scenarios, like farmers’ markets. Projects, not worksheets, were the academic focus, and the student-led pacing meant there was no need for a separate “gifted” curriculum.
The Return to Reality: A Bumpy Transition
The K/1 program at The Learning Tree eventually expanded to fifth grade, but the family made the strategic decision to transition their children back into public education for fourth grade. With fifth grade being part of middle school in their district, they felt an earlier reintroduction to the public school system would ease the shift.
Although their children had existing friendships in public school, the adjustment proved challenging. The stark contrast between spending most of their day outdoors and suddenly being limited to just 20 minutes of recess was significant. Larger class sizes meant less individualized pacing, and the new environment brought more rigid rules, structure, and an increase in sedentary, busywork tasks.
The children particularly missed the genuine care and interest from their former teachers, as well as the freedom to guide their own education and explore personal interests in the classroom.
Despite the challenges of transitioning back, the parents wholeheartedly affirmed their decision. The outdoor learning school instilled a strong foundation of work ethic, self-discovery, and leadership that continues to benefit their children. For this family, it was an experience they would gladly repeat, pandemic or not.