Homeschool Forest Friends
For ages 5-9 with a caregiver
Six-week Winter session registration now open!
Wednesdays, January 15 – February 19, 1-3 pm OR
Thursdays, January 16 – February 20, 1-3 pm
Located at the Carver House at Stryker Nature Preserve, 2343 Angling Road in Kalamazoo
Price for 6-week session: KNC Members: $174.25 Non-Members: $205
Meet the Teacher
Hannah Shiner: hshiner@naturecenter.org
In addition to teaching Sprouts, Hannah is an Environmental Educator at the KNC! She teaches other programs at our main site including Preschool Explorers, school field trips and coordinating Annie’s Big Nature Lesson. Hannah loves the curiosity and fun that comes from outdoor education and hopes to share that with the community.
Homeschool Forest Friends is a program designed for families to supplement their student’s homeschool education with nature connection and exploration. This program is for homeschooled children aged 5-9 years old with a caregiver, and will meet at Carver House on the Stryker Nature Preserve, 2343 Angling Road in Kalamazoo. Each session will be held mostly outdoors where we will explore the natural world through structured and self-guided activities. All relevant health and safety guidelines for outdoor activities will be observed. Participants will be supported to engage in ways that feel safest for their family. These experiential learning opportunities will incorporate age-appropriate literacy, math, science, and social skills to allow children to develop hands-on knowledge of the world around them.
EACH SESSION WILL FOCUS ON:
Literacy Development | Practicing reading and writing through age-appropriate opportunities to learn more about the world around you.
Experiential Science & Math | Developing practical ways to use math and science through hands-on experiences with nature.
Critical Thinking | Using your observation and decision-making skills to help guide your actions and make thoughtful choices.
Creative Expression | Letting your imagination flow to express yourself and show what you’ve learned by creating art.
Risky Play | Challenging yourself to take risks while climbing, running, jumping, playing, and building self-confidence in the outdoors.
Social Emotional | Building empathy, communication, and regulation skills to navigate different emotions and social situations.
We recognize there is significant variability in what families in our community are able to afford. Financial assistance can be applied for by answering a few simple questions during the registration process. Please contact the KNC Registrar at for questions regarding registration or financial aid applications.