EdenAcres Environmental Education
Education · Environment · Community
971-470-7502
Nature School Enrolling Now
Fostering the development of the whole child through emergent and child-centered learning, play, exploration, and discovery in the natural world.
At EdenAcres, we empower learners through experiential and
environmental education.
We envision a world that cares for the Earth and its people, is equitable, and exists within the limits of the ecosystems that provide for our needs. We understand that fostering environmental literacy will help us to realize that vision. Ecological literacy and having a connection to place will be key components to creating a sustainable future for all. There are many access points to addressing a changing climate, to increasing academic achievement, and improving the lives of children and families. We have chosen education as our focal point because we believe that education is the means by which we pass culture from one generation to the next.
Nature Preschool for children ages 3 - 5
Little Wonders is a half-day program for little learners ages 3-5 that complements the home routine. At EdenAcres farm campus, children can transition slowly into an educational setting where nature is their first teacher! From petting farm animals to walking through the forest and watching seedlings grow in the school garden, our outdoor learning spaces nourish the foundational senses. We create a setting where children can grow into citizens of the world; respecting all cultures, creatures, and environments. Our curriculum emerges from each child’s unique needs and aptitudes and provide children with the skills they need to be prepared for kindergarten. Children learn to self-regulate and navigate interactions with friends and others while playing and exploring outdoors.
Forest School for children ages 5 - 7
Children are intrinsically motivated to learn. They do so though play and exploring the world around them. At EdenAcres, we foster a child’s natural sense of wonder as we gently move between instructor-led and child-driven play and activities. We celebrate that children learn through hands-on and minds-on experiences. Each day our educators provide opportunities for your child to select, explore, and practice skills. Academic concepts of numeracy, literacy, culture, and science are seamlessly integrated into our daily rhythms. Through a balance of play, exploration, and instructor-led games and activities, children develop problem-solving skills, self-regulation, social-emotional and motor skills.
Forest School for children 8-12
A holistic learning community using 40 acres of native forest land as our classroom. Each day children move between instructor-directed activities and self-directed play and exploration, both of which contribute to the holistic development of a child’s hands, heart, and mind. Our place-based and seasonal curriculum integrates reading, writing, math, social studies, and the arts through hands-on projects, games, and activities. We have chosen the forest as our classroom because research shows that experiences in nature are essential for the healthy growth and development of children. Abundant time in natural settings yields long term benefits in children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. On top of all that, nature is the perfect place to learn about the world we live in. The natural world provides the living context in which to learn about cycles, interdependence, energy and resources, scale and limits, diversity, succession, sustainability, and community.
Farm School for children 6-12
A holistic learning experience using a permaculture subsistence farm as our classroom. Each day children move between instructor-directed activities and self-directed play and exploration, both of which contribute to the holistic development of a child’s hands, heart, and mind. Our place-based and seasonal curriculum integrates reading, writing, math, social studies, and the arts through hands-on projects, games, and activities. We have chosen the forest as our classroom because research shows that experiences in nature are essential for the healthy growth and development of children. Abundant time in natural settings yields long term benefits in children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. On top of all that, nature is the perfect place to learn about the world we live in. The natural world provides the living context in which to learn about cycles, interdependence, energy and resources, scale and limits, diversity, succession, sustainability, and community.
For teens and tweens 12-15
A program designed specifically for tweens and teens. Alongside experienced mentors, students will build community and develop skills to become young leaders through team building activities, mastering outdoor skills, and designing and completing a stewardship project.
The Forest Keepers’ philosophy sees the student as the discoverer. Our job is to facilitate and support the gifts and passions of each unique student. Forest Keepers encourages students to push their comfort edges and expand their unique skill sets, developing their diverse abilities and talents to become capable, confident leaders in the broader community.
