Offerings
Strong Roots serves children ages 1.5-16 in Nature Immersive, All Weather classes.
Classes are Place Bonded and Inquiry Based - Rich in Community and Deep, Authentic Learning
Classes keep alive the Child’s Innate Connection to the Natural World as well as their Sense of Wonder.
Classes are Nourishing to the mind, body and heart of the children
And all of this is done with JOY!
Each class follows an in and out-breath rhythm, allowing children time for active and big movement and then time to come in and connect with themselves, others in the class, their projects or the natural world.
Each class has opening and closing circle that isdevelopmentally appropriate, rich in song and story, and allows time for deeper connections to be made within the community.
Each class includes time to connect with nature through hikes, foraging, observation, and creativity.
Time for quiet and reflection in nature is also a part of each class.
WILD ROOTS
The Wild Roots Class serves children ages 3-6. This class provides extended time for deep play. We believe with greater time, little interruption and teachers who are engaged in their own purposeful work, children go deeper into their imaginative play world, which is where most of the work of Early Education happens. This class aims to keep children in their bodies and imaginations. This is done not only through extended play, but also through rich story, song, challenges in nature and opportunities for real, purposeful work as well as creative handwork projects. Guides in this class are nurturing and work hard to establish and maintain a healthy rhythm for the children so that they know what to expect each week.
Wild Roots meets:
Tuesdays from 9:30-1:30
Wednesdays from 9:30-1:30
LITTLE BUDS: A PARENT CHILD EXPERIENCE
Both parent and child will immerse in the seasonal rhythms of the natural world and be held in an intentional, child paced rhythm during class allowing for deep connection with each other, nature and other families. The rhythm mimics Wild Roots, but is shorter and with parent alongside. This allows for comfort and encourages readiness for drop off in later years. Parents will have some time on their own to engage in conversation and handwork as their children are tended to close by in the forest playscape. You will learn songs, stories, handwork and a beautiful way of being with your child as a caregiver and children will learn to interact in a group, with other children and have time to be curious, explore, create and express themselves.
Little Buds meets Thursdays from 9:45-12:30
SAPLINGS
The Saplings class serves children ages 7-10. It is a beautiful bridge between the Wild Roots class and the offerings for kids older than 10. While still providing ample time for child guided exploration, discovery and play, guides also bring a concept for the session that guides the experiences. This concept changes with each session so that fresh projects and experiences are available for the children. Traditional arts, primitive skill, foraging, cooking, story, etc are all centered around this concept. Kids have time to work in collaboration, problem solve, connect, persevere and share joy!
Saplings meets:
Tuesdays from 9:30-1:30
Wednesdays from 9:30-1:30
OAKS AND WHITE PINES and CEDARS
Oaks, White Pines and Cedars classes serve our oldest children. These classes provide both time to freely explore as well as time to collaborate on authentic, meaningful projects. Learning is inquiry based and cooperative in nature. Guides plan experiences that deeply connect children to the natural world as well as deepen their relationship with their personal selves and others. Skills in traditional arts, primitive skill, and foraging are developed. Participants are immersed in Indigenous story of the land, music making, and a joyful community as they become the unique individuals they are meant to become.
Oaks (Ages 11-15) meets on Tuesdays from 9:30-1:30
Pines (Ages 11-15) meets on Wednesdays from 9:30-1:30
Cedars (Ages 9-17) meets on Thursdays 9:30-2:00. Cedars is a unique offering in that it serves a wider age range, has more children and more guides and therefore can offer more choices. Our project time is spent together, working in collaboration on projects that are meaningful to the village. We forage and cook for one another, make tools that are needed (bow drills, wood carved spoons, burn bowls, weavings, etc). We make art pieces that reflect our growth and end in ceremony sharing that growth with our families.
classes are held at the izaak walton league—a 40 acre property in rockford, mi that has forest, pond and creek for exploring.
5641 Meyers Lake Ave.