Tuesday: October 6, 2026

Nature’s Classroom — Day One!

We made it to Nature’s Classroom, and we’ve had a full day!

After arriving, everyone had lunch and got settled into the dorms—choosing bunks, unpacking, and getting used to our home for the next four days. Then it was time to head outside.  Students met up with their field groups and spent time exploring the beautiful grounds and getting to know the Nature’s Classroom staff.

In the afternoon, students headed off to their first class choices. Today’s offerings included Pago Pago, Gold Rush, Fantastic Beasts, Games Around the World, Frog Frenzy, Basin Ball, and The Secret Life of Trees. There was a little something for everyone.

We really lucked out with the weather. It has been a perfect fall day, and the kids have been taking full advantage of it. One of the nicest parts of Nature’s Classroom is all the time outdoors. Even during transitions, there are opportunities to run around, play, explore, and just enjoy being outside with friends.

Dinner brought another Nature’s Classroom tradition: learning about ORT or food waste, (which is accompanied by a song). Students are encouraged to be mindful about how much food they take and how much they throw away. At the end of the meal, the leftover food is collected so everyone can see just how much. or how little,we wasted. It’s a great reminder to take what you need and try not to waste what you take.

Meals are also a lot of fun here! Students and staff play games like “Stump the Staff” and “Stump the Kids,” giving each other questions and challenges to see which group can come out on top.

Tonight, the entire group will come together for Quest, where students will work in teams to take on a series of challenges. After a very full first day, we’ll wind down with a story, milk and cookies, and then it will finally be lights out!

So far, we’re off to a great start. The kids are busy, active, spending lots of time outside, and taking in everything Nature’s Classroom has to offer. We’ll keep adding photos as we go, so keep checking back for glimpses of our adventures!

Wednesday: October 7, 2026

If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it.

David Sobel

Rise and shine. Day two at Nature's Classroom.  Students all cleaned their rooms and headed to the dining hall for 8:00 am breakfast. Pancakes, chicken sausage, grapes, oatmeal, granola, yogurt, bagels, cream cheese, cereal juice and milk.  NCI staff lead us in trivia games and the ORT report. Organic Recyclable Trash. Big push here to only take what food you think you can eat and to reduce waste. Fortified and water bottles ready we head out for the day.

Morning program was to hike around the campus and explore with field groups. The teachers here are:

John,  Jules, Ella, KeLan, Savanna, Carlos and Madi. The whole E2 is divide into 7 groups for nature hikes. Students spend two hours adventuring around the various areas of the grounds including the marsh, the woods, the trails and many fun hills and fields to trek through.  The sunshine today is simply stunning and we are all the better for the fresh air!

This afternoon we have two back to back sessions of "Classes". These are all designed to build curiosity and get closer to nature and science on the go.  Students are free to sign up for the classes that interest them. Classes today include,:

Geoguesser

Monster Mash

Squid inked

Parasite mafia

Hula hoop survey

First aid

Naming bouquet

Great gold games

Rube Goldberg

Adaptation Auction

OLS

Nests and noise

and Bug Bingo.

This evening is one of our most enchanting and beloved activities-the NIGHT HIKE. They hike with their field groups and enjoy the stars.

"There is no description, no image in any book that is capable of replacing the sight of real trees, and all of the life to be found around them in a real forest."  Maria Montessori

Then we will have stories and cookies and off to bed.  Teachers will post photos as we can.  Hope you are all having as much fun as we are.  Thank you for sending your kids to camp-they are learning many things we can not teach in the classroom-and hopefully making new friends with students in our school they may not have known before this trip.

Thursday, October 8

When children come into contact with nature, 

they reveal their strength. 

Maria Montessori

Good morning. We are just getting ready the kids to start running around the cabins and the play in the fields outside the cabin as we prepare for our last full day at NCI this year. 

On the schedule for today:

Field Group - a two hour free period where they travel around the camp and make magical fun together. The weather has been pure sunshine and we are all feeling the good vibes of outdoor education at its best.

After lunch, we have one hour of nature classes. Children may choose from the following offerings:

Animal Homes

Rotten Log Ecology

Mollusk Madness

NCI Pokemon

Coloring with the seasons

Coloring with  music

Honorable Harvest

In the afternoon, the staff here has prepared a cool new afternoon program called YELLOWSTONE.

More info and photos to come this afternoon.

When you look out into space, we are looking out into your own origins. Because we are truly children of the stars.

Brian Cox

We hope you all are enjoying the city life. The stars last night were spectacular on our night hikes and we are hoping for another long and beauitful day today. For tomorrow's return to school, please expect the buses to arrive around 1:30-2:00pm.

We will keep you posted. Parent are welcome to pick up your children when we arrive of regular pick if that is what you need to do. Thank you again for helping them all pack and prepare for camp. Thsy have been very successful and seem to have been fully in the moment all week.