i love friday

my children each spend friday in a nature based group. we call it nbog [nature based ongoing group] and we love it. the group is split into three sub-groups according to age [the crow/whistles, the recorders and the ocarina's], though much time is spent all together, they do each separate to really dive in developmentally. i am so thrilled my children are involved in such an incredible community and program.

the squirrel classroom in the riparian area is where the youngest class convenes each friday. phoenix tells us she loves to find bay nuts and climb in the stump. she loves her teacher jody, and exploring with her partner 'fire dragon' . she easily peels away from the larger group [and mom] to go be with the other ocarina's.
chimonkey land. a place that laughter, explorations, digging, water moving, rope swinging, and so much more happens. the first half of the "school year" all three classes would end here with joyful water play and learning. from the five year olds to the 15 year old, everyone loves chimonkey land.

all three classes spend time hiking. i spent time with the ocarina's just this past friday and though it was pouring rain, we continued on our hike to visit log beach. on the way, ellen, in the middle standing in blue, noticed a change in the river and pointed it out to the entire class.
these children are provided with the opportunity to really notice what is around them and their place within it. think about the effects time, weather, animals, people have on the environment and are developing a love for all things natural.

both the older classes have "classrooms" out in the redwood forest. last year they would hike the railroad tracks out, but this year they've been walking a redwood loop trail individually and in silence to really take in what is surrounding them without the distraction of friends and conversation. though they spend time practicing quiet, they are also given ample opportunity to think together, find gratitude together, laugh, learn, discover, create, play, problem solve, and simply be together.