25 Aug 2024

Peach Hand Pies & Sumacade

by | posted in: Local Food, Nature Immersion, Self Directed Learning |

Summer Recipes Food and foraging projects tend to be some of our most popular activities at summer sessions. This past week at Thistle Pond, we baked peach filled hand pies on the fire, and enjoyed making Sumacade, a tart flavored drink similar to lemonade. Below you’ll find the recipes we used if you want to re-create these projects at home! Sumacade Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a native, deciduous shrub characterized by long, alternate leaves, yellow-green flowers and hairy, reddish … Read More
1 Jun 2024

Wild Discovery Semester Program Updates

by | posted in: Nature Immersion, Self Directed Learning |

Registration is now open for the Wild Discovery Semester Program 2024 – 2025 Login into your Amilia account for registration options. We’ve been enjoying the new areas where we’ve moved the tent and fire circle, and have also been appreciating all of the new families who have joined this learning community. Some of the highlights so far this semester have been highly engaging games of capture the flag with David, listening to the kids singing the May Pole song to … Read More
10 Mar 2024

Nurturing Growth and Development in a Nature-Based, Self-Directed Learning Environment

by | posted in: Nature Immersion, Self Directed Learning |

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in alternative educational approaches that emphasize child-centered, experiential learning in outdoor settings. By combining nature immersion, self-directed learning, and play-based approaches, White Ash Learning programs foster cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development while addressing the unique challenges children face in today’s world. A nature-based, self-directed learning program combines the benefits of outdoor education and child-led approaches to create an environment that fosters holistic growth and development. The Benefits of Outdoor Education … Read More
20 May 2021

Stealth Games and Birdsong

by | posted in: Nature Immersion |

Underwater clouds erupting from sticky brown mud. Kids everywhere in the shallow pools, toes warmed by mud that squishes between them. Fish, tan-colored, each with a distinct thin black line from gills to tail down each flank. While we’re in the pool, the fish are invisible. But when we leave, long before the dust settles, sleek bodies emerge. They dart and glide in and out of mud clouds. They rest and see and listen and smell. The mud cave undercutting … Read More
1 Apr 2021

Changes in the Landscape

by | posted in: Nature Immersion |

We enjoyed a beautiful, windswept day at Reeds Brook this week. Caitlin Thurell and Sylan contemplated the location and movement of the giant ice floe since been last week. They noticed the stream crossing would be much more difficult this time. The water was incredibly high, and the rain had melted every bit of ice or dislodged them from the banks and washed them down he river to the sea. Last week, Birch and Juniper noticed how slippery the ice … Read More
25 Mar 2021

Mud Season Arrives

by | posted in: Nature Immersion |

We enjoyed a bright, warm day at Reeds Brook this week. During arrival we played Towhee, a game that challenges us to sneak up on a mother bird who is protecting her egg from predation, and freeze whenever she stops singing to look our way. Inevitably people make mad dashes, having to freeze in awkward positions, fall over, dive and roll around. It’s a great game for all ages to become involved and active. We are trying to steal the … Read More
11 Mar 2021

Spring Session Begins

by | posted in: Nature Immersion |

We were excited to see old friends and meet new students at the beginning of this session. With Jason’s still-healing ankle, older participants enthusiastically helped small ones make their way up the impossible icy sledding hill, and once they found their way into a sled, gave them a push off in a good direction. By their smiles we could tell they were all really enjoying each other, one of the reasons we love creating space for mixed age play. We … Read More
28 Feb 2021

Journey to Self Directed Education

by | posted in: Nature Immersion |

Being with young people was one of the earliest out of the home responsibilities I had as a teen. In my early teen years I participated in the Red Cross Babysitting Course and soon after began working for families in my neighborhood. This evolved into many years of full time work as a nanny in my late teens and early twenties. By age 19 I was grocery shopping, preparing meals, and providing childcare for a family with 5 children. I … Read More
26 Feb 2021

Winter Camp Reflections

by | posted in: Nature Immersion |

As I sit by the fire, Clover asks “How do you make oatmeal?” I offer my tea pot, and she puts it in the coals then gathers snowballs for water. As she nudges it closer to the embers the snow quickly begins to melt. When the chunks of ice started to melt, she grabbed a stick and starts stirring. “See! They melt better when I push them closer.” As the last ice chunks melt into smooth liquid water, Clover says “I … Read More
10 Jan 2020

Woodcraft

by | posted in: Nature Immersion |

We often receive inquiries about knives and carving. Mentors use knives, folding saws, hatchets, and other blade tools regularly for things like crafts, firewood, and shelter building. We share the basics of knife safety anytime there is interest in using a blade tool. It is always optional to bring or use a knife. If parents consent, and if a participant wants to use a knife, mentors will evaluate when and how this is appropriate taking into account age, spatial and … Read More