Outdoor Learning

This is one of our favorite questions because the answer is both simple and complicated. Bear with us.

No two days are exactly the same.

One of the beautiful things nature teaches us (especially in New England!) is that things are constantly changing — the weather, the seasons, children's interests, and the wildlife we find each day. Sometimes we discover something cool and spend an hour investigating it. Sometimes we hike farther than planned. Sometimes we're tired and find somewhere to sit and tell stories.

A day might include:

• Following animal tracks through the mud or snow

• Building forts and creating imaginary worlds and games

• Balancing on logs or flipping them over to find bugs

• Collecting acorns, leaves, or interesting rocks

• Asking questions that nobody knows the answer to (yet...)

While every day is different, children consistently engage in:

• Physical movement (hiking, climbing, balancing)

• Social learning (playing, negotiating, collaborating)

• Nature observation (plants, animals, weather, seasons)

• Creative play (imaginary worlds, storytelling, building)

• Self-direction (making choices and following interests)

There is no preset curriculum or adult-driven agenda. Instead, educators take nature as it comes while mindfully supporting children's curiosities in real time.

We know where we'll start and where we'll finish, but we're always open to what we might discover in between.

Yes!

Children are always dropped off and picked up at the same location, and there are familiar routines that help everyone feel safe and settled.

Although no two days are exactly the same, the rhythm generally looks something like this:

Check in together + Group Plan

Explore and adventure

Snack, rest, and connect

Explore and adventure some more

For our morning program (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays), children are picked up at noon.

For our full-day program (Mondays and Fridays), the rhythm begins again:

Check in together - Revisit the plan and adjust as needed.

Explore and adventure

Snack, rest, and connect

Explore and adventure some more

If you're picturing children wandering aimlessly through the woods all day, that's not quite it.

If you're picturing children sitting at outdoor desks doing worksheets, that's definitely not it.

Instead, picture children spending their days actively exploring, playing, wondering, creating, observing, collaborating, and discovering alongside experienced educators who help nurture their curiosity and keep them safe.

And you'll have plenty of photos and stories so you can see the magic unfolding, too.

Our outdoor program is led by Jessica Jaro, an experienced educator who deeply values curiosity, connection, and nature.

Jessica will be starting her third year at Elements Academy and is unbelievably (and contagiously!) passionate about young children spending time outdoors. Jessica taught at Boston Outdoor Preschool Network (BOPN), where she saw firsthand the incredible growth, confidence, resilience, and joy that can happen when children spend their days immersed in nature.

She is thrilled to bring her experience, knowledge, and love of outdoor learning to this inaugural program.

Jessica will work alongside a teaching assistant, ensuring that children are always supported by two adults. With small groups and a high adult-to-child ratio, we're able to prioritize safety, connection, and individualized support.

Rather than directing every moment, our educators act as guides and co-explorers. They ask questions, encourage observation and problem-solving, support children's ideas, and help them navigate challenges as they arise. They notice teachable moments, foster meaningful relationships, and create an environment where children feel safe to explore, wonder, and grow.

Honestly?

Because childhood belongs outside.

Children spend so much of their lives indoors. In buildings. In rooms. In spaces designed and controlled by adults.

And while indoor spaces certainly have their place, they can never fully replace what nature offers.

Children's bodies need to move.

Their eyes need to see more than screens, walls, and plastic.

Their hands need to touch dirt, rocks, sticks, leaves, mud, water, and snow.

Their senses need to be alive.

Outdoors, there is always something to notice. Something to wonder about. Something to climb over, investigate, collect, build, observe, or imagine.

There are endless benefits to outdoor learning—gross motor skills, fine motor skills, social-emotional growth, scientific exposure, and so much more. Those things matter.

But perhaps the most important benefit is that being outside is joyful.

Not because every moment is magical. Sometimes it's cold. Sometimes it's muddy. Sometimes it's raining. Sometimes the favorite rock you named yesterday isn't there the next day.

Nature teaches children that the world is always changing. And that can be a beautiful thing.

Children deserve the chance to experience the world with their whole bodies and all of their senses.

We think that's an important part of childhood.

Most children would probably love this program.

The bigger question is whether it feels like a good fit for your family.

This program is for families who want nature to be a huge part of their child's childhood.

It's for kids who love puddles, sticks, bugs, mud, rocks, climbing, and collecting.

It's for families who believe learning happens through experience, play, curiosity, and connection with the natural world.

It's for parents who understand that some of the best days end with muddy boots, tired bodies, tangled hair, and funny stories.

And, quite honestly, it's for families who don't mind extra laundry, tick checks, and mud in the car.

Most of all, it's for families who want their child to experience the joy, wonder, freedom, and adventure that come from spending meaningful time outdoors.

Groups are intentionally small.

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

Small groups allow us to prioritize safety, build strong relationships, and truly get to know each child. They also give children plenty of space to explore, play, and connect with one another without feeling overwhelmed.

One of the things we love most about small groups is that no child gets lost in the crowd. We notice their interests, understand their moods, and build deep connections with each child.

The short answer? It depends on your child.

We intentionally created some overlap between the age groups because children develop differently and families have different needs.

Some 5-year-olds will thrive in Explorers. Some will be ready for the longer days and bigger adventures of Adventurers. Some families may choose to do both.

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

The first thing we want parents to know is this:

Learning and school are not the same thing.

Children learn everywhere. They learn through play, conversation, games, relationships, exploration, and everyday life.

Lots of people are surprised to learn that formal schooling isn't even required in the early years. In Massachusetts, families don't need to file homeschooling paperwork until the calendar year their child turns 6. Kindergarten is completely optional.

And that doesn't mean learning isn't happening until then.

In fact, children learn more in the first five years of life than at any other time.

When children spend their days exploring nature, asking questions, building relationships, moving their bodies, and making sense of the world around them, they are learning constantly.

For families who want a blend of outdoor learning and more traditional school, we've intentionally designed flexible options.

And here's something we've noticed over the years: when children's needs for movement, play, connection, and exploration are met, they're often more engaged and ready to focus when it is time for academic work.

The goal isn't to choose between learning and childhood.

We think children deserve both.

It depends what you mean by "doesn’t like being outside."

If your child has never spent much time outside, isn't sure what to do in nature, feels nervous about bugs, or prefers to stay close to adults at first, that's absolutely okay.

Plenty of children start out hesitant and gradually become more comfortable. The child who is afraid of bugs in September may be naming them by October.

But they should be open to spending time outdoors.

This program is fully outdoors, in all weather, for several hours at a time. If your child truly dislikes being outside and finds no joy in nature, this may not be the right fit—and that's okay too.

We don't believe children should be forced into experiences that make them miserable.

The goal isn't to turn every child into an "outdoorsy kid."

The goal is to create an environment where children can build a relationship with nature, discover what they enjoy, and experience the joy, wonder, and adventure that being outside can offer.

One of our favorite sayings is:

There's no bad weather, just bad clothing.

We're outside in rain, snow, wind, cold, heat, and everything in between.

Part of outdoor learning is learning how to be comfortable in potentially uncomfortable conditions. It's part preparedness, but mostly mindset.

We bundle up in the winter. We seek shade and pour water on our heads when it's hot. We splash in puddles when it rains. We build snowpeople when it snows.

That said, safety always comes first. If conditions become genuinely unsafe—such as severe storms or extreme temperatures—we may cancel or adjust plans. Thankfully, that's rare.

Just like life, nature has its ups and downs.

And this outdoor program is truly, fully, outdoors.

Absolutely.

Our outdoor programs are designed to be flexible, so we can support children from a variety of educational backgrounds. Some children attend public school or private school. Some are homeschooled or unschooled. Some attend Elements Academy.

They're all welcome.

Our goal is to create space for children to explore nature, move their bodies, and experience the curiosity, joy, and connection that outdoor learning makes possible.

However your child spends the rest of their week is great.

We're just excited to spend part of it outside with them.

Maybe!

Right now, our outdoor programs are designed for children ages 3–8.

That said, if there's enough interest from older children, we'd absolutely be open to creating a group for them in the future. If that sounds like something your family would be interested in, just email us (hello@elementsacademy.org) and let us know.

The microschool part of Elements Academy serves older children and teens who spend lots of time outdoors and frequently go on nature-based outings. Some families choose a part-time schedule with Elements Academy to bring more outdoor learning into their child's week.

If your child is older than our current age range and you’re interested in outdoor learning, we're happy to chat and see what might be possible.

Children bring their own food from home.

For our morning program, children will have a snack mid-morning.

For our full-day program, children should bring a lunch and plenty of snacks. (Trust us on the snacks.)

Since we're outdoors, food should be easy to pack, easy to eat, and safe without a refrigerator or microwave.

And don't forget water! Outdoor adventures tend to make children surprisingly hungry and thirsty.

We'll go over more specifics—including dietary needs, allergies, picky eating, and food preferences—after enrollment.