- Overview
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Release your child beyond the four walls into a boundless outdoor classroom
An opportunity for primary school-aged children to take their learning outside the classroom, our one-day school programme offers 100% nature-based experiences for Kiwi kids.
Held on Wednesdays (or otherwise negotiated) during term time at various locations across Auckland, we explore local areas, like parks and rivers, with intent and awareness. Through teachable moments, we integrate school subjects every chance we get, building your child’s natural curiosity for lifelong learning. And because we visit new locations each week, the children organically extend their learning through diversity of place. For convenience, we meet at a central location then take your children to new places for nature schooling.
And if you’re concerned about absence from school, know that the New Zealand Education Act section 25B states that parents can take their children out of state school for alternative education, as long the principal agrees.
Our one day nature school difference
We go to new locations each week and do new things. As the children experience nature throughout the seasons, they are gifted with innumerable opportunities for memorable, authentic learning. So the development of the child holds continuity but their opportunities and awareness expands. Over a year / 40 weeks, what they would have seen and done is incredible!
Social Nature Movement's forest school allows kids to escape their normal routine and take their learning outside the classroom. Our One Day Programme offers a 100% nature-based experience through 100% human-powered movement that gets Kiwi kids outside. Children will have the opportunity to make their own choices and follow their own interests and curiosities within a framework of respect for those around them and the environment.
SNM nature staff and curricular curiosity
With passionate and experienced educators, low adult to child ratios, and a consistent group of children throughout the term, the One Day Nature School is able to nurture authentic, trusting relationships, and provide individualised learning extension and support. Our educators observe the children closely, document their learning through photos and stories, and extend their thinking through authentic conversation, the provision of resources, and offering of skill-building workshops in areas such as marine biology, fishing, shelter building, or fire starting.
Children learn best by observing and interacting with others who are older and younger than they are. Benefits for younger children include opportunities to engage in and learn from activities that would be too difficult for them to do alone, learning from and being inspired by older children, and receiving care and emotional support. Benefits for older children include opportunities to practice and develop their nurturing and leadership skill and capacities and to extend their own learning through teaching others.
Forest schooling and the Social Nature Movement
This is becoming recognised and hugely popular throughout the world. Research shows us that children are missing out on opportunities to play the way generations before they have. Many children are lacking social skills, the ability to solve their own problems and have increased levels of anxiety, simply from missing out on the opportunity to play. For those children who currently homeschool, the One Day Programme provides an opportunity to connect with a group of like-minded explorers in stimulating natural environments.
Check out our booking tab, click the book now button or fill an enquiry here.
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Itineraries
Meet at our designated location or be picked up and shuttled in our vehicle
Curriculum and key competencies
Problem Solving Skills
Social Skills
Respect for the Environment
Knowledge about the Environment
Increased Creativity
Healthier bodies
Mindfulness
Confidence to take risks
Developing social competence
Self-confidence
Problem-solving abilities
Awareness and sensitivity to the environment
Begin exploring local areas, developing skills and acquring new knowledge
Options
We might be based at the beach, in the bush, on the water, in some caves, up a hill or on a volcano. We might be walking, kayaking, paddling, climbing, caving, playing, learning, socialising and much more.
Includes:
Transport
Food
Drink
Staff
Activity gear
Learning resources
Staff carry:
- First Aid Kit
- Emergency shelter
We select the best staff for the job based on their skills, knolwedge and experiences. They will be an SNM staff member or we will bring in support from equally competent contractors. Sometimes we also bring in (semi)celebrity guests!
We are mobile and move around. In one calendar year, once a week, we get around 40 different locations to diversify students learning.
We might be doing some conservation work and learning about environmentalism. We might be focused oin the child and their peers with emphasis on free and fair play. We might give them life skills like navigating local parks and streets with natural navigation and spatial awareness.
Competent educators and like-minded children with passionate parents backing their extra-curricular learning.
Sure, in essence and based on how one percieves it. However, we, our parents and our students all know that learning extends beyond the four classroom walls and traditional style of learning. People are social creatures, explorer at heart and need to experience the bigger wider world; starting with their local surroundings.
This changes depending on what we do and where we go, but generic items are:
Clothing
- Thermal bottom leggings,
- Shorts
- Pants
- Swimwear
- Socks
- Thin merino shirt / thermal shirt x 2
- Fleece jumper x1
- Woolen jumper x1
- Wind and Rain-proof Jacket
- Sunhat
- Warm beanie
- Neck warmer / scarf
- Warm gloves
Equipment
- Closed-toe footwear
- Sunglasses
- Personal medication
- Water bottle,
- Head torch,
- Toiletries.
- Waterproof pack liner
- Backpack to put all of the above in
All of the above is available to rent / hire / buy
Includes:
Two staff
Staff carry:
First Aid Kit
Emergency shelter
Excludes:
Transport to our central meeting location