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Most children enrolled at our older Creekside Campus for 3 or more days per week are automatically enrolled in a day attending our Adventure Day Program, which focuses on providing the opportunity for full immersion in nature, once a week.
We believe that children have an inherent right to experience nature and we follow the American Forest Kindergarten model of 'Total Nature Immersion' regardless of weather or season. Nature Immersion is defined as "unstructured free time in nature resulting in an intimate, deep and personal connection to the natural world." During our Adventure Days we roam far and wide around Sonoma County - mostly exploring our diverse and beautiful regional parks. We follow a Flow Learning (aka Interest-led or Child-led) teaching style. Flow learning leads to emergent curriculum, the lessons that emerge when children are free explorers in nature.
We support families in learning to dress their children appropriately for all the different weather we encounter and we have a 'lending library' of rain suits and boots for families who need them. We firmly believe there is no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothes! Being exposed to all types of weather helps children develop resilience, and a greater understanding of the rhythms of the world around them (plus, there is nothing better than splashing feet first into a fresh mud puddle).
We keep a low teacher:student ratio of 2 teachers to 8 children and use our 10 passenger 'Lady Van' to get ourselves into the wild 3 days a week.
*See our Adventure Program: Frequently Asked Questions for more info, as well as our adventure video below!.
Adventure Day (general) Schedule
Timing varies depending on where we travel to, and where the flow of the day takes us.
9am - Meet at the van in the Upper Parking lot for drop off.
9:15 - We are off!
9:30/9:45 - We arrive, unload, and sit down for a snack
10:00 - Snack
10:15 - 12:00- Free exploration in nature. Lunch when we are hungry.
12:30 - Pile in the van and drive back
1:00 Pick up for the halfway program back on campus. Children staying for aftercare get ready for a rest (see Creekside Schedule)
This unfolds in a variety of ways. Children may find that the area we arrived in is just perfect and will plunk down and plug in to the natural materials offered around them. Other groups may want to wander and we will go for a short hike, to find the perfect place to traverse. The goal is to allow the children ample time and space to explore and discover the natural world without too much adult direction.
Adventure Program: Frequently Asked Questions
Adventure Program: Frequently Asked Questions
What does my child need to bring on adventure day?
What does my child need to bring on adventure day?
Here is a list for what’s needed DAILY for your child to attend Adventure Day:
Please check the weather and dress your child appropriately for the day – layers are good! Apply sunscreen/bug spray if the sun is out. Hats are encouraged!
If there is a chance the ground and/or grass is wet – then rain boots – please be sure your rain boots are in good repair with no holes. Wear warm socks!
Your child must wear hiking appropriate shoes for Adventure Day – when it’s warm - sneakers or hiking sandals are great – please no flip flops or shoes that are not appropriate on rough terrain.
A hearty lunch and snack - we eat out of our lunchbox for both meals.
A FULL water bottle each day - Please check the water bottle when you pack a lunch.
Please, please, please – label everything in an EASILY VISIBLE SPOT (on backpacks – outside the pack, etc. - some parents use tape and write on that) – we are two teachers with 8 children – sorting water bottles, lunches and clothes in and out of the van – labeling makes our days SO much easier. Initials are not as helpful- we'd prefer their name for quick deciphering.
What "gear" do you recommend for the rain?
What "gear" do you recommend for the rain?
We get very wet and muddy during the rainy season. It’s imperative that your child has excellent rain gear to attend Adventure Day. Three hours with wet feet can make for a miserable kid. We strongly suggest ‘muck boots’ (warm and dry) and the brand Oaki Wear for rain suits. Waders with a rain jacket is preferred, but the coverall suits also work well. If providing a rain suit is financially impractical for your family, please let us know- your child can borrow a Tree House Hollow rain suit. We have a few of them and are happy to loan them out – we really want the children to be dry and comfortable on those fun but very wet days. (We also typically will get a discount code for Oaki Wear for our parents so just ask for it)
How do you account for all the children?
How do you account for all the children?
We CONSTANTLY count all of the children present throughout the day. There are 2 staff members and up to 8 children present. If the group is spread out, the staff also spreads out accordingly and is communicating with each other about how many children are in their area. The children are taught "animal calls" that we use to give directions such as: "let's go", "freeze", "come quick", and "where are you" (for checking in with children who are in bushes and the like). Children who don't respond to the animal calls will be asked to stay close to a teacher so that we can ensure everyone's safety.
What locations do you visit and how are parents alerted to location?
What locations do you visit and how are parents alerted to location?
An email is sent out at the beginning of each week, alerting parents to our adventure location. We will often go to the same location for several weeks in a row so that children receive the opportunity to develop a "sense of place" and get to explore the depths of a location before moving on. We will rotate back to a location over the different seasons to see how it changes.
Our go-to locations are:
Ragle Ranch Regional Park
The Laguna
Spring Lake Regional Park
Howarth Park
Riverfront Regional Park
Doran Beach Regional Park
Armstrong Redwoods State Park
*Sometimes we will find a new location as well or get invited to visit a special place.
Are you really outside in all weather?
Are you really outside in all weather?
Yes! Our adventure program is rain or shine and our classroom can't accommodate adding children into the classroom. If there is a hazardous storm as determined by the Adventure Lead and Creekside Director, we will try to find a very sheltered outside location (think redwood trees), or may try to find a building to use for part of the day (which is more rare). You always have the choice to keep your child home if you wish. Just remember- if your child isn't well enough to be on adventure day, they are not well enough to be in the classroom either as even our classroom program goes outside in all weather! We do make every effort to find the best locations possible to balance the weather though. Adults seem to be more "affected" by the weather than children- they seem to find joy in everything.
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