When I think of the happiest aspects of my childhood, a few things come to mind. Sure, there are some of my favorite Saturday morning cartoons, and playing The Oregon Trail in computer class was seriously the BEST. Yet, the truly amazing memories that bring a sense of unbridled childhood happiness have a common theme: I was outside. Playing with dirt and making magical mud stews and potions, capturing tadpoles and frogs, building a secret lair from natural materials, jumping in puddles, exploring "magical" forests, capturing bugs, and climbing my favorite trees.
Do you know what else these oh-so-happy memories have in common? They're simple and screen free, and largely independent. A screen, person, or toy wasn't the source of my joy and entertainment: nature was.
In a world where parents feel the pressure to constantly be the entertainer, or provide a tangible source of entertainment for their children, the outdoors offers a reprieve.
But not only that; there are a myriad of benefits to outdoor education that have been formally researched and documented:
1. Playing in nature supports children’s holistic development and benefits their physical, emotional and social wellbeing (Marais, 2021).
2. Repetitive exposure to high quality, unstructured outdoor play opportunities have a positive impact on social and cognitive development (Wyver, 2019).
3. Outdoor play provides children with invaluable experiences that can directly influence their physical and emotional development, social skills, creativity and even their intelligence (Friedman et al, 2022).
4. Challenging natural spaces promote risk assessment skills while building confidence and proficiency and developing resilience (Warden, 2020 & Marais, 2021).
As a biologist turned educator, I could go on and on (and on!) about the research; but, I realize that's not what every parent wants to spend their free time reading 🙃 However, I did want to share with you my "why" behind what I do and what I'm sharing with you today.
My journey as educator and parent has recently led me to part time work at Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center. Outdoor/Environmental education is not new to me, however. Long before my classroom teaching tenure (13 years), I spent time working in outdoor education in the Poconos. I've always felt a connection to nature — our living environment fascinates me. I'm sure this is thanks to my parents, who often let me explore nature on my own. However, that was the 80s/90s. Our world is very different now, and we simply can't let our children wander around for hours. So, how do we get our kids to safely reap the rewards of outdoor exploration? Enter Rock Hollow Woods (RHW)!
Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center is a nonprofit organization that was proudly formed in 2012 by a group of dedicated educators. The mission is simple: provide children with outdoor opportunities to discover and learn about the natural world and empower them to protect their environment.
To fulfill this mission, RHW offers a variety of programming:
1. Toddler Time on the Trail: Parents and family members can join their toddlers as they safely explore nature while being led by a certified educator. You spend quality time with your child, and your child gets to explore nature, as do YOU! Good for parent, good for toddler 🙂
2. Nature Pre-K: A full drop-off preschool program/curriculum that is run through the lens of nature-based play and learning.
3. Homeschool Happenings: Time for homeschooled students of Berks County (and beyond!) to get together as they are led by a certified educator and explore nature.
4. After-School Adventurers Nature Club: a drop-off program for school aged kids to play, learn, and explore as they "let go" of the structured school day and let their own curiosity and questions guide them.
5. Field Trips: Are you also an educator who believes in the value of outdoor learning? You can come visit us with your class! We can learn about animal adaptations, life cycles, creek explorations, and so much more. We tailor it to you.
6. Seasonal and Adult programs: we do everything from Yoga and Fitness in the Forest, to Owl Prowls, Bird Walks, Animal Shows, Native Plant Walks, Teacher Workshops, and more!
7. Birthday Parties: Your kid gets a chance to explore nature with their friends in the amazing setting of RHW, while also having a staff run programming tailored to your ideas.
Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center is truly a gem of Berks County. It is a testament to the power of people: when like-minded people work together for a common goal, the good that follows is a ripple that benefits our entire community. Come explore, learn, and grow with us! To learn more about the above programming, visit https://www.rockhollowwoods.org/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Fitness in the Forest Event with Rock Hollow Woods and FIT4MOM Reading
References
Friedman, S., Imrie, S., Fink. E., Gedikoglu, M., & Hughes, C. 2022. Understanding changes to children's connection to nature during the COVID-19 pandemic and implications for child well-being.
Marais, M. 2021. Holistic Benefits of Nature Play on Children’s Development.
Warden, C. 2020. The values we lay in outdoor play.
Wyver S. 2019. The Influence of Outdoor Play on Social and Cognitive Development.