Afterschool Adventures in Nature

Lead Nature Instructor:

Hi I’m Natalie. I’ve worked with kids in traditional afterschool programs for the past 7 years, and the past two years as the group leader of an afterschool nature adventure club. As a graduate at UCSC in Environmental Studies and over 10 years of childcare experience, I’ve become greatly inspired by the promise that experiences in nature gives to young people in benefitting mental and physical health. After working in public schools and public school afterschool programs, I’ve gone down the path of creating a different kind of program.

My aim is to provide accessibility to nature for kids, who can’t yet drive or bike to the many epic state parks in our area. With all the research backed with outside time with increased calmness, focus, and reslience in kids, I am honored to offer my services to help support families who have these goals for their children. With a clean driving record I offer to pick your child up at school, drive them to our days location, and facilitate an afternoon of fun with the days co-leader. The structure of the program roughly follows: a walk/hike to our location, circle/snack time and boundaries for exploration and play, free play, book readings, light art activities, and games. This is a time for kids to simply exist, socialize, or take time for themselves, explore, imagine, identify plants and animals, and experience sensory play with sand, sticks, animals plant life, and water. I encourage physical challenges and mindfulness in the present moment by noticing the plants, animals, sounds, textures. I have many repeating families after 3 years and guide nature adventures with leaders Alanna, Blaze, and Heather. I aim to strike a balance between some structure to rely upon, while allowing the kids to tap into their feelings, come up with their own games, build their own worlds, and follow their inner guide. Nature is the greatest teacher in our club!

Co-Lead- Alanna graduated from UCSC in environmental studies and enjoys birding, trying vegan recipies, long mindfulness walks, and gardening. Alanna is a true animal lover and loves fun facts, animal identification, singing and playing guitar.