School Year Programs

Registration coming soon!

2025/26 Programs run September 17th - May 21st (with seasonal/holiday breaks)

Our nature connection programs involve intentional mentored time in the outdoors. The foundation of our mentoring is finding each person’s curiosities & passions and asking questions to lead the learning. Our programs are designed to instill a sense of community - to deepen relationships to oneself, to others, & to nature - while bringing out natural powerful human attributes like empathy, happiness, & being truly helpful to name a few. Our hope is that each child/person will grow into their gifts and we design our programs to support this.

An underlying goal of Wild Harvest groups is to support healthy relationship to the land, to ourselves, and each other. Our groups instill a sense of community and belonging to the human and more than human world. As we follow the rhythms of nature and the seasons, we develop a deep sense of kinship with the land. We learn to slow down, be aware of our surroundings, and be comfortable in nature.

We also design our programs to develop a caretaking approach towards the Earth, ourselves, & each other. Not only do people have a lot of fun and gain understanding and knowledge about the natural world, ancestral/earth skills & crafts, they also learn skills for life such as awareness, quiet mind, creative problem solving, peacemaking, good conduct, intentional action, reflective processes, etc.

We start our day in a circle (including parents/caregivers that are able to make it) share gratitude, sometimes sing a song, and definitely play a game. After opening circle we head out on our day's adventure. We come prepared with a variety of nature connection activities and we let the moment and the kid's curiosity and passion guide what actually happens. We end our day back in circle and encourage parents to join us to hear the stories of what the kids did during their time on the land.

Wild Saplings (ages 4-7)

Wednesdays, 9-1:30, Lake Farm Park

Thursdays, 9-1:30, Lake Farm Park

In this group we will explore the natural world and experience the magic, awe, and wonder that the land and creatures have to offer. We will use our imaginations to become animals, a stone, a plant or tree. We will experience mud and the world of insects, we will harvest plants to make tea to warm us on a chilly day, we will listen to stories that teach us about nature, we will create using what we find, we will play lots of games, climb, and maybe build a fort or 2 or 3 or 4! We will smell, touch, see, and listen.

We encourage parents/caregivers to attend opening circle (gratitude, song, game). After the game, we ask that parents leave and the Saplings will continue into their adventure for that day. We invite parents/caregivers to arrive 15 minutes early to hear the story of the Sapling's day during closing circle.

Tuition Rates:

Supported by Community: $1,475.00

Covering Costs: $1,650.00

Supporting Others: $1,825.00

Wild Saplings Bridge Care

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:30-3

New this year! This offering is created with families in mind who have kids in both Wild Saplings (ending at 1:30pm) and Wild Explorers (ending at 3:00pm), though it's open to other families who would benefit from a longer Saplings day.

Tuition Rates:

Supported by Community: $275

Covering Costs: $425

Supporting Others: $575

Wild Explorers (ages 7-12)

Wednesdays, 9-3, Lake Farm Park

Thursdays, 9-3, Lake Farm Park

Building on the imagination, wonder, and playfulness fostered in Wild Saplings, this group will play bigger games, go farther on the landscape, gain more exposure to ancestral skills practice, and spend more time on the land. We will also deepen our relational and emotional skills as we continue our journey of connection with each other, ourselves, and the Earth.

Tuition Rates:

Supported by Community: $1,750

Covering Costs: $2,075

Supporting Others: $2,400

Wild Tenders (ages 12-18)

Thursdays, 9-3, Lake Farm Park

As an older group, our ability to practice good conduct, listen carefully, motivate ourselves, and focus will allow us to go much deeper in our practice of the vast plethora of wilderness skills and activities offered. We'll explore long distances, play games, create games to play, track animals and each other, make fires, carve, forage, and much more. Woven into the year are activities that build mental, emotional, physical, and relational skills.

Tuition Rates:

Supported by Community: $1,750

Covering Costs: $2,075

Supporting Others: $2,400

Please consider this visual guide when selecting your payment tier.

A non-refundable deposit of $200 ($50 for Bridge Care) is due when registering for programs.

If the deposit or the tuition costs present a barrier, please contact triad.whnc@gmail.com for assistance and read below.