SVOL stands for Slavia Village Institute for Outdoor Learning. We are located in Oviedo, Florida, at St. Luke’s Lutheran School. Our mission is to help educators, teachers, and parents bring outdoor learning to their very own schools and spaces. We can assist you in creating an outdoor classroom, bringing your curriculum to life, and making the most of your available space. Whether you are just beginning your outdoor learning journey or looking to improve what you are already doing at your school or home, we are here to help you succeed!
SVOL began when our preschool principal, Mrs. Ileana Barbari, created her very own Outdoor Classroom. With a courtyard space and a large tree in the middle of the preschool buildings, she saw the perfect opportunity to transform the area into an outdoor learning environment. Our preschool Outdoor Classroom has been thriving for over 15 years and is certified by Nature Explore. It has its own curriculum, with monthly units of study, and all of our preschool classes utilize this special space for learning and exploration.
We also offer STEAM classes that primarily use the Outdoor Classroom as their learning environment. Each class also has its own curriculum and units of study, allowing students to explore, discover, and learn through hands-on experiences. To make the most of every opportunity to learn outside, our students are even provided with rain boots and jackets so they can enjoy the outdoors, even when the weather is a little rainy!
Our Outdoor Classroom is loved by our teachers, staff, and the families who attend St. Luke’s Preschool. We love seeing our students explore, discover, and learn in the great outdoors. Our hope is to share what we have learned over the years with families and educators throughout our community and beyond!
We strongly believe in the importance of getting children outside and giving them opportunities to learn through hands-on, engaging experiences. We believe learning should be fun, meaningful, and full of opportunities to explore the world around us. Through SVOL, we hope to inspire and support others in bringing the joy of outdoor learning to their own schools, homes, and communities.