Sunday, October 9, 2011

Wilderness Youth Project

We enrolled Ben in something called The Wilderness Youth Project a few weeks ago. Here's their mission statement: WYP is an organization that promotes meaningful social change through an innovative, nature-based curriculum and mentoring program. Our programs return children to the traditions of childhood: outdoor time, child-centered exploration, skill/self-esteem.
We call it "Outdoor School" and Ben loves it. We decided to take him out of preschool for a day because he is such a curious and active kid and is frankly getting a bit bored from time-to-time. Even though his preschool is amazing - I am a strong believer in nature as teacher and since I basically grew up in nature, I know all it has to offer as kids develop. This is an excellent place for him to be on a weekly basis.


He got a new backpack, new cool camel back water bottle and new hiking shoes (although they actually encourage going barefoot). He seems more balanced and it's a good sign that on most mornings when I'm taking him to school, he asks if we are going to Outdoor School or Sea Turtle school. Seems to really get that he's there to stay, which he is. When they get a bit older, they start going out further into the back country and doing overnights. Cannot wait!


They make acorn pancakes, climb trees, build forts, go rock hopping, make nature figures/necklaces (he came home with his "acorn necklace" last week and I've had to fight him to get it off). Kelly and Dan the Barefoot man are his teachers and they are priceless and he gets to interact with other kids, learn from new teachers and see new things. I got an email from Kelly last week that melted my heart... she said that Ben is helpful to the littler kids, curious, sweet and kind.

Heart... melting.



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