Preschool & Early Childhood
Upcoming Summer Classes & Camps (ages 3-6)
Lil’ Nature Kids – June/July Session.
Click the course code to register online. Call 503.823.2525 to register over the phone. * No classes the week of July 4th
| Course Code | Location | Dates* | Day & Time | Ages |
| #402055 | Sellwood Riverfront Park | June 17, 24, July 8, 15 | Mondays 9:30am - 11:30am | 3-5 |
| #402061 | Sellwood Park Picnic Area “I” |
June 17, 24, July 8, 15 | Mondays 1:00pm - 3:00pm | 4-6 |
| #402068 | Mt Tabor Park | June 18, 20, 25, 27 July 9, 11, 16, 18 |
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30am - 11:30am |
3-5 |
| #402067 | Mt Tabor Park | June 18, 25, July 9, 16 | Tuesdays 1:00pm - 3:00pm | 4-6 |
| #402069 | Hoyt Arboretum | June 19, 26, July 10, 17 | Wednesdays 9:30am - 11:30am | 3-5 |
| #402070 | Hoyt Arboretum | June 19, 26, July 10, 17 | Wednesdays 1:00pm - 3:00pm | 4-6 |
| #402062 | Mt Tabor Park | June 20, 27, July 11, 18 | Thursdays 1:00pm - 3:00pm | 4-6 |
Rockin’ Robins Nature Camp (Monday-Thursday, 9am-1pm, for ages 4-6)
Click the course code to register online. Call 503.823.2525 to register over the phone.
| Course Code | Location | Dates |
| #401311 | Mt. Tabor Park | July 22-25 |
| #401312 | Hoyt Arboretum | July 29 - August 1 |
| #401313 | Mt. Tabor Park | August 5 - 8 |
| #401314 | Hoyt Arboretum | August 12-15 |
| #401315 | Mt. Tabor Park | August 19-22 |
And of course, for children ages 5-13, we have a whole summer of Nature Day Camp!!!
Ladybug Nature Walks (ages 2-5)
For preschoolers and parents. Explore nature in Portland parks with trained naturalists! All walks begin at 10:00 AM on Fridays, mid-February through early November, rain or shine. $3 per preschooler, no charge for adults. For more info, call 503-823-3601. 2013 Schedule
Arrange a private Ladybug Walk for your group – great for preschool field trips, day care activities and birthday parties!
Our private Ladybug Walks give your group of children ages 2-5 a chance to explore with our highly-trained, specialized Preschool Naturalists. Not only do our Preschool Naturalists know nature, they also know what makes young children tick! Children borrow our sought-after Ladybug Backpacks for their walk while they engage in nature exploration, learning and play. Call the Environmental Education office at 503-823-3601 for information and scheduling. Ladybug Walks last for 60 minutes and can be done at most Portland Parks or Natural Areas. We’ll work with you to choose one that makes sense!
Rates for Ladybug Walks are as follows:
- 1 Preschool Naturalist (1-14 students)..................$55
- 2 Preschool Naturalist (16-28 students).............$110
- 3 Preschool Naturalist (24-42 students).............$165
Nuts About Nature!
Let your child experience preschool and early grade school the natural way! Spring & Summer 2013 Schedule
Lil' Nature Kids (ages 3-6)
Lil’ Nature Kids is a drop-off style program that uses experienced, enthusiastic teachers to combine ecological concepts with developmentally appropriate skills and kindergarten readiness. Our preschool naturalists take small groups of children into a park for two hours to learn through stories, songs, art, exploration, and imaginary play. The primary goal is to give children positive outdoor experiences, rain or shine, with teachers who direct the learning based on the children’s interests. All classes are mixed age. Ratio of students to teachers is 4:1 or better. Sites vary by day of week and season and include the following: Mt Tabor Park, Sellwood Park, Sellwood Riverfront Park, Whitaker Ponds Natural Area, Peninsula Park and Hoyt Arboretum. Fall, winter, spring and summer sessions are offered.
Nature's Playground After School Program (ages 6-7)
A way for older students to continue to connect to nature, Nature’s Playground is a two hour, after school program that tailors activities to 1st & 2nd grade interests so school-aged students can continue to connect to nature. Learning is done through exploration, stealth games, crafts, and play. Ratio of students to teacher is 6:1 or better. Classes meet on Thursdays after school at Mt Tabor Park. Fall and spring sessions are offered.
Nature School for Homeschoolers (ages 4-8)
Homeschooled children join our highly trained teachers one day a week for three hours to learn about Pacific Northwest ecology using art, science, literature, exploration, games, and play. Although the program is a drop-off program, we ask parents to volunteer once or twice a season. Curriculum is built using the inquiry model, and allows flexibility for child-directed learning. Ratio of students to teachers is 6:1 or better. Classes meet for three hours once a week on Monday afternoon at Mt Tabor Park or Tuesdays, mid-day at Hoyt Arboretum. Fall, winter, and spring sessions are offered.
We also offer school field trips for early childhood students!
Looking for a way to complement your classroom learning topics? Contact us to custom design a school field trip and get your students outdoors! Lessons are taught by experienced teachers in small groups and help bring ecological concepts alive with hands-on activities, games, exploration, and hiking. Information about rates & topics can be found on our “School and Group Programs” page. Call 503-823-3601 to chat about available dates and lesson possibilities.