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Our Homeschool Nature Co-op is a secular, outdoor-based program designed for families who value meaningful connection with their community and the natural world. This program supports families with children ages 3-10, through intentional, mixed-age groupings that support the whole family.
Our Homeschool Nature Co-op is a secular, outdoor-based program designed for families who value meaningful connection with their community and the natural world. This program supports families with children ages 3-10, through intentional, mixed-age groupings that support the whole family.
Our weekly meetups include:
Our weekly meetups include:
-A nature hike
-A nature hike
-Child-led exploration
-Child-led exploration
-An engaging lesson
-An engaging lesson
-Nature journaling
-Nature journaling
What's Included in Our Program
What's Included in Our Program
Our co-op offers a variety of enriching experiences designed to support learning, connection, and community:
Our co-op offers a variety of enriching experiences designed to support learning, connection, and community:
- Seasonal Field Trip
- Seasonal Field Trip
-Group Funds to Support Activities & Materials
-Exclusive Guest Speakers
-Exclusive Guest Speakers
-Community Service Opportunities
-Community Service Opportunities
-Optional Group Camping Adventures
-Optional Group Camping Adventures
OUR WILD WAY
We support several groups serving different age ranges and locations within the Austin area, allowing families to choose the group that best fits their needs.
Each Wild Explorers group is guided by a Co-op Lead who coordinates group details and communication. To foster a rich and collaborative learning experience, each parent is asked to lead two nature-based lessons over the course of the year. We provide a seasonal subject calendar, a curated study guide, and activity resources to help inspire and support your lesson planning. Our approach supports a range of learning levels and honors each family's strengths, creativity, and unique voice.
Every parent plays an active role in cultivating a warm, respectful, and safe space where our children can learn, explore, and grow together in nature.
LOCATIONS
To make our weekly meetups more accessible for families, our co-op is organized into two geographic groups: NORTH and SOUTH. Individual groups are then formed by age range. Groups meet at local parks & trails within their area, rotating weekly to offer variety, seasonal interest, and accessibility.
At the start of each session, Group Leads collaborate with families to select meetup spots and finalize the year calendar. For the safety and privacy of our community, we do not share class locations publicly or with individuals outside the program.
To fully engage in the co-op experience, families should be prepared to travel within their group's region. A spirit of flexibility and a commitment to regular attendance help foster a consistent, connected learning environment for all.
HIKING & TRAIL NOTES
Trail conditions range from flat and easy, to rocky and uneven. We do not assume that trails are stroller-friendly, so please plan accordingly. Good walking shoes and a willingness to navigate natural terrain are essential.
We prioritize child-led hiking, allowing plenty of time for observation, exploration, and discovery along the way. These walks are an important part of our learning, building physical endurance, awareness of our surroundings, risk assessment skills, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Some of our locations offer access to creeks or streams, and water play is a valuable part of our experience. Children should come prepared to get dirty, and occasionally wet. Water shoes and a change of clothes will always be encouraged to bring.
Interested in Leading a New Group?
If you're interested in starting a group that meets on a different day or at an alternative location than what we currently offer, we'd love to hear from you!
Reach out to: jo@wildexplorersnaturecollective.org for more information.
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