Since 2003, we have served child care programs and childhood educators across California.
Dream it.
In the outdoor classroom, children connect to the natural world and learn from what nature has to teach us. We envision a world where all children in childhood education settings have access to the rich developmental opportunities that come from engaging with the natural world.
Build it.
We are dedicated to increasing the quantity, quality, and benefit of outdoor experiences for children in care and education programs through providing educational and consulting services on the value and design of engaging outdoor learning environments.
Grow it.
We want to help you transform outdoor learning at your childhood education program. Whether through professional development, custom consultation and design services, or continuing education opportunities, we have a solution for you.
The Power of One
All it takes in one person, one idea, or one small change to start the movement and lead you down the path of a fully realized natural outdoor space. Fulfilling your own vision of a quality outdoor space with engaged teachers and supportive adults.
Why an outdoor classroom?
In concert with modern child development research findings, the concept of the Outdoor Classroom is built upon the premise that children are complex beings. To nurture the whole child, childhood education needs to follow the fundamental principle that children are learning everywhere and all the time. Instead of developmentally inappropriate early academics, children need a broad variety of learning experiences and opportunities to grow in areas such as science, mathematics, executive function, gross and fine motor development, social-emotional development, language development, and creative expression. The Outdoor Classroom evolves from the real needs of children, offers activities that are personally meaningful to them, and fully embraces developmentally appropriate practices in early care.
See us in action.
The Outdoor Classroom project has a network of more than 60 sites across California and Arizona that serve as demonstration sites for our work.