Outdoor Learning

Children spend their time outside exploring the natural world around them.

We hike trails, observe insects, build shelters, climb trees, notice seasonal changes, and follow the questions that arise along the way. And of course — we play. When children are immersed in nature, there is often very little guidance required; the environment itself invites curiosity, exploration, and discovery.

Learning happens through movement, questions, and real experiences in the natural world — not through curriculum or worksheets.

Children are wired to explore.

When they move through natural environments, they build confidence, problem-solving skills, resilience, and a deep sense of connection to the world around them.

Indoors, children are often surrounded by human-made materials and environments shaped by rules, limits, and constraints.

Nature, on the other hand, invites curiosity, creativity, and independence in ways indoor environments often cannot.

Children who are curious, active, and excited to explore.

Children who enjoy moving, asking questions, noticing things, and discovering the world around them.

Families who believe learning happens through experience, exploration, and connection with the natural world.

Days unfold with a balance of:

• hiking and exploring
• observing nature and seasonal changes
• collaborative play and building
• curiosity-driven discovery
• rest, snacks, and reflection

There is structure and guidance when needed, but also plenty of space for children to follow their interests. This is a child-led program, meaning we pay close attention to what captures their curiosity and build from there.

Sometimes that leads to moments of instruction or deeper learning when it naturally fits the moment — but there is no preset curriculum or adult-driven agenda.

Our outdoor programs are guided by educators who deeply value curiosity, connection, and hands-on exploration. Their role is to keep every child safe — physically, emotionally, and socially — while supporting children’s questions, encouraging observation and problem-solving, and helping them build confidence navigating the natural world.

They explore alongside the children, play with them, and notice teachable moments as they arise, allowing learning to grow naturally from the experiences of the day.

Jessica is our primary outdoor educator. She brings years of experience in early childhood education as well as outdoor education through programs such as the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network. She is as passionate about children being outdoors as she is about nurturing curiosity, creativity, and connection — which makes her a wonderful fit for Elements Academy’s outdoor programming.

• your child loves being outside
• your child learns best through movement and exploration
• your family values curiosity and connection with nature
• you want learning experiences that feel real and meaningful

Groups are intentionally kept small so children can explore safely and educators can stay closely connected with each child.

We never have more than 10 children and 2 outdoor educators.

They sure can!

The 5-6 year old age range is really special because they’re getting old enough for full-day learning but not yet old enough that they should be sitting at a desk indoors all day. (Are we ever really old enough for that?)

The combination of Explorers and Adventurers gives this ‘Kindergarten’ year tons of outdoor learning at their speed - and if you want ‘school’ time, you can schedule their T, W, Th afternoons at the Elements Academy Elementary program.

We purposely built this outdoor program to be flexible so you can find what works for your child and family.

Depending on your child’s age and your family’s philosophy, school is actually optional in the early years.

Children under age six can spend their time in ways that best support their growth and development without any formal reporting requirements.

Once children turn six, families do need to report their educational plan to the state. This can happen either through homeschooling or through enrollment in a school.

At Elements Academy, we offer both full-time and hybrid options.

For families enrolled in our full-time program, Elements handles the reporting requirements — including time spent in our outdoor programs (because yes, that absolutely counts as learning).

For families participating in hybrid programming, parents report to the state as a homeschooling family while their child attends Elements part-time.

That’s actually very common — and often exactly why outdoor programs can be so powerful.

Children don’t have to arrive already loving hiking, bugs, mud, or long walks in the woods. Many children grow into those things slowly as they become more comfortable outside and build confidence in the environment.

Our educators pay close attention to each child’s comfort level and help them find their own way into the experience. Sometimes that means observing quietly at first, sometimes it means sticking close to an adult, and sometimes it means discovering a fascination with something unexpected — like a stick, a rock, or a beetle.

There’s no pressure to perform or be “outdoorsy.” Children are simply invited to explore at their own pace.

And very often, the child who was hesitant at first becomes the one leading the adventure a few weeks later.

Outdoor programs run in a wide range of weather conditions. Light rain, wind, or chilly temperatures can actually make outdoor exploration even more interesting for children.

That said, safety and comfort always come first. If weather conditions become unsafe — such as severe storms or extreme temperatures — we adjust plans or reschedule as needed.

Part of outdoor learning is discovering that with the right clothing and preparation, children can comfortably explore in many kinds of weather.

Our outdoor programs are designed to be part-time, so children from many different educational paths can participate. Some children attend public school, some are homeschooled, some attend private schools, and some are students at Elements Academy.

The outdoors is something every child benefits from, no matter where they go to school.

Our goal is simply to create space for children to explore nature, move their bodies, and experience the kind of curiosity and connection that outdoor learning makes possible. However your child spends the rest of their week, we’re happy to help make that happen.

Possibly!

Our outdoor programs are designed for children up to age 8, but older children who love being outside and enjoy helping younger kids sometimes make wonderful child helpers.

Helpers support the group by modeling curiosity, assisting with simple tasks, and joining in the exploration while also building leadership and confidence.

If you think your older child might enjoy that kind of role, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out at hello@elementsacademy.org and we can talk more about whether it might be a good fit.