Nature Based Learning | YMCA of Barry County

We believe kids grow better immersed in nature. YMCA of Barry County’s new nature based learning program will offer a unique educational experience for children to learn and grow in a positive outdoor atmosphere. While the majority of activities will be held outdoors, there is a full classroom set up for when we need to spend time indoors. Located at YMCA of Barry County Camp Algonquin.

Louisville_Nature_Center_Nature_Learning

SPROUTS Preschool Age Learning

Skills-Play-Recreation OUTSide

Youth Age 3-4 years old
Monday – Thursday
8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Two 6.5 week sessions offered
- September 16-October 29
- November 2-December 17
$650 per session

Classes up to 12 students with 2 adult leaders. Through exploration and hands-on activities, the program will introduce social, emotional, and physical skills as well as early learner concepts in reading, writing, math, art, music and science. Theme related activities emphasize the process rather than the product, which allows early learners to have a sense of accomplishment. Snack served daily.

STREAMS School Age Learning

Science-Teamwork-Recreation-Environment-Arts-Mentorship-Service

Youth Grades Kindergarten – 6th
Monday – Thursday
1:00 – 4:30 pm
Two 6.5 week sessions offered
- September 16-October 29
- November 2-December 17
$650 per session

Classes up to 20 students with 3 adult leaders. Students will be split into learning pods. There will be reading, mentoring sessions, physical education, and educational classes such as cooking, nature exploration, fishing, archery, etc. Students are allowed to bring school work for tutoring, but please note this is not the place to do all school work. Snack served daily.

Tuition Schedule

Nature Based Learning Handbook

What can I expect from SPROUTS?
This program is specifically designed for young learners between the ages of 3 and 5 with a focus on learning while in nature. The program is scheduled to be outdoors at least 60 percent with a small amount of time indoors for arrival, departure, and a group lesson each day. We believe that by being in nature, children benefit physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Nature inspires, refreshes, and nurtures us.

Some topics and activities may include:
- Outdoor components: recycling, wildlife, gardening, weather, music, art, fort building, basic shooting sports safety, outdoor classroom space, and the natural world around us.
- Traditional schooling components: Letters, numbers, colors, shapes, music, fine motor skills, and gross motor skills. These are incorporated into daily activities.
- Life skills components: friendship, working together, independence, communication skills and much more.

What can I expect from STREAMS?
We are designing the program with a big age range of participants (5 years – 12 years old). With this in mind, our programming may look a bit different between age groupings. For example, the older participants will learn to fish with more advanced poles than the younger participants. Workshops or recreational activities may be longer blocks for older participants while younger participants will have shorter blocks of time spent on one focus.

Activities planned thus far include:
- Fishing – from gearing up to eating fish, we look to take participants through the entire process.
- Basic Survival Skills including what supplies are most critical to fort/shelter building to fire building and open fire cooking skills.
- Outdoor Village/Classroom – during the first full week, we will have small groups build shelters around a common area that will become our outdoor classroom in the woods.
- Cooking – this will include food safety and sanitation, knife skills/safety, all about eggs, easy meals and more. Some will be over open fire, but most will be on a stove top for more practical home skills.
- Orienteering – basic compass skills, map reading, and more
- Shooting Sports – a more in depth look at bows, arrows and BB guns. Participants will learn safety, how to care for equipment and of course have time to hone target skills.
- Science – Professor Dan will join us weekly for science exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this program open to all? YES! This is open to home school students, remote learning students, or any other student that can attend during the time blocks.

Why is this offered in 6.5 week blocks? With so much uncertainty, we wanted to give families the option of shorter time commitments. However, families may participate in as many 6.5 week sessions as they would like.

Will the program start over each session? No – our programming is progressive through out the year. While some activities may repeat, we plan to continually grow and expand as the weeks progress.

Is there a sibling discount? No. However, if you pay in full by the end of the second FULL week during each session, you receive a $50 discount PER student. This is actually a greater amount than our normal sibling discount.

Is financial aid offered? Yes – same as we offer for all other programs. Maximum 50% scholarships given.

If the program has to stop due to COVID-19, will I receive a refund? Yes – a prorated refund will be given should we have to close due to COVID-19 related issues.

Do 3 year olds need to be completely potty trained? While we aim for participants to be bathroom independent, we understand accidents happen.

Will it be like camp was as far as drop off/pick up? It will be a lot like camp drop off with families staying in the vehicle. However, SPROUTS will have the option to be walked in by ONE parent.

Are masks required?

Participants will wear facial coverings in all indoor common areas (i.e. bathrooms, hallways, classroom) including entering and exiting the building.
For any child who cannot medically tolerate a face covering, has trouble breathing, or is unable to remove the face covering without assistance; a full face shield covering the entire face, including sides, and going below the chin, is required.
When outside, participants will not be required to wear a face covering.

How many students are in each program? We have set the programs to have 10 in SPROUTS and 20 in STREAMS.

What type of shoes will my child need? We ask that all students wear tennis shoes daily.