Creating an Outdoor Classroom, Part 3: Taking It On-the-Go

We've unpacked the idea of creating an outdoor classroom and how to do so if you're short on space and cash, so now let's talk about taking it with you! Whether your outdoor classroom needs to be mobile because you do not have a designated permanent outdoor space or because, like me, you are running a traveling outdoor program, today's post is for you. And even if you do have and utilize a permanent outdoor space, nature based learning often requires materials to be easily transportable--so keep reading. I'm a visual learner, myself, so I will be including some extra photos in today's post to spark some seeds of inspiration as you grow--I mean, go...

You can't take it with you! WRONG! You totally can! And really it just takes a bit of planning and creativity when you want to take your learning outdoors and on the go. There are some key factors to consider as you pack your bags (or bins or baskets).

• Mobility: how will you haul your stuff from point A to point B? Additionally, how will the members of your group get from point A to point B? Are there children who are not yet mobile independently? If so, is your destination one that is stroller friendly or will you need to carry/wear infants and young toddlers? These are all things to consider as you pack yourself and prep your crew.
• Your Destination: what is the terrain like where you will be? Will you be able to roll your goods or only carry them? What's already at your location and what do you need to bring from home? Are there public restrooms available? What is parking like? If you're meeting up with a group, have you made your meetup location clear?
• Weather and Climate Conditions: When you're teaching outdoors, you're at the whim of the elements. Literally. You need to consider wet, muddy, windy, rainy, hot/sunny, cold/snowy/icy conditions in advance as much as possible. What do your children need to wear to be comfortable? What do you need to wear to be comfortable? (Keep in mind, adults are often less mobile outdoors than children, especially if you're stationing yourself at a particular location to lead a lesson or see your group--you might need more layers than the kids do to keep warm!) If there's no shade/shelter from sun, you might consider bringing umbrellas, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen. If it's a windy day, do you have a way to weigh down a tablecloth/blanket or loose sheets of paper/materials that could blow away? If there's potential for wet conditions, can you supply extra towels or plastic ponchos? 
• Miscellaneous Needs: First aid kits, towels, wipes, a trash bag to collect anything disposable, plastic bags for wet/dirty linens or materials, changes of clothes for you and your family just in case, and snacks/water are all things you might consider having available as you go, whether in your car or in a pack to carry along.

So now that we've run through the nitty-gritty list, here's the fun part: setting up and creating your Nature-on-the-Go Kits! 

• What is a Nature-on-the-Go Kit?  This is the name I give to any activity or materials I bring with me outdoors, whether large or small. Think of it as an educational picnic of sorts! The idea is that you take what you need with you in a way that makes it easily transportable and accessible once you are at your destination. With a little planning and imagination, your Nature-on-the-Go Kits will be truly delicious!

  

  I love pencil pouches for smaller Nature on the Go Kits. You can also purchase
  plastic ones very inexpensively, which are more waterproof/weather resistant. You can
  store several of these in a large binder if you need multiples for a larger group.
  Consider keeping a laminated card attached with a metal ring of what is inside each
  pack so you can remember to check that it all gets replaced and brought back
  with you when you leave--especially if you are circulating your packs.

Some Nature-on-the-Go Kits are as simple as a pencil pouch always kept in the car or in your Mom Bag ready for a park visit or playground trip (or even a wait in a restaurant or doctor's office). It may be as simple as a notepad, some colored pencils, some double sided tape for sticking/collecting interesting bits of nature and foliage, maybe an ink pad for pine cone and seed pod prints or a broken unwrapped crayon for tree bark or rock rubbings. Even a tiny pot of clay or playdough can be easily towed or a small magnifying glass for closer observation. Larger kits can include a sketch book or nature journal, field guides and relevant books, binoculars, containers for collecting items found in nature, both living (temporarily--make sure your container for that is appropriately made with air holes) and nonliving (I love small tins with windows or magnifying glass boxes). Some Nature-on-the-Go Kits can even be lesson specific if you are bringing a particular literacy, math, science, art or play based activity outdoors. The main things to consider as you build a Nature-on-the-Go Kit (or even many of them) are:

• how you will transport them (mobility)
• what you will need in addition to what you're bringing and what is available at your destination
• how you will set it up when you are there
• what you will need in order to clean it up and take it back with you
• how to store and transport it in a way that protects it from unforeseen weather conditions

I do not recommend bringing along more than you can easily tow. On the other hand, if your kids and/or other adults can help you transport, delegate away! If you have access to water on site, that's one thing you can leave behind--just bring the containers you'll need. If you don't have access to water on site, don't forget it! For ease of mobility and transportation, many natural teachers prefer backpacks for their goods. These are great and you can find them secondhand quite easily. Tote bags, baskets, plastic bins with lids, wagons, rolling suitcases or carts or even a wheelbarrow can be used outdoors to transport materials.

I also think it is worth honorable mention to talk about transporting people--specifically the little people in your crew. My boys have become a little bit addicted to the double stroller when we head out to our nature based playgroup meet-ups and I have gone with it because I like it for the storage capacity. On the other hand, they are both big enough to walk independently and getting too heavy to push up huge hills... In creatively addressing this issue, I might switch my own transport method to using a rolling suitcase or cart or even a backpack and walk alongside my boys. For reluctant walkers, I've even heard of natural teachers using a drum or puppet to help lead the group. Make the journey there part of the fun. Encourage children as they are able to "help" by carrying something or perhaps simply carrying an empty basket to gather natural treasures along the way. And when it comes to those big hills and strollers, some older children might even enjoy the opportunity to help push it up the hill rather than being the weight inside of it that threatens to pull you both back down!

Now let's take a peek at some Nature-on-the-Go Kits and how we've used them:

In addition to considering what you pack and how you get it there, also plan in advance how and where you will station and set up when you do get there. Picnic tables are great if you have access. If not, a large blanket or tablecloth can be spread on the ground. If wind might be an issue, have some heavier items available to weigh down lighter ones or even your tablecloth/blanket. In a real pinch, I've found large rocks to be helpful! Additionally, keeping items not in use in bins with lids can prevent things from blowing away and keep it a bit more organized while you're not actively teaching.

Speaking of bins with lids, I LOVE them for travel sensory play. Here's a file sized bin being used for exploring (and storing) parts of trees...

And here's one being used for a collection of river rocks...

We love our DIY Color Scavenger Hunt Cards--made from laminated paint samples we acquired for free at the hardware store, these are a great way to turn a nature walk into fun color scavenger hunt. You'd be amazed at how many hues and shades of colors can be found outdoors all year round.

Art outdoors can go vertical with the use of tabletop easels. They fold, they're cheap, they're portable and lightweight. 

Even more budget friendly and easily portable are clipboards! These are great to take on the go and offer on site. Just add paper and a writing/drawing utensil...

Nature Journals can be purchased in the form of a notebook or sketch book (even recycled from school supplies that weren't used or fully used) and/or made at home. Our nature based playgroup kicked off our new year creating these simple stick bound nature journals from paper, a stick and a rubber band. I will post instructions in the future (or you can look it up on Pinterest as well, this is a popular activity in book making!). 

These nature looms are easily made from recycled cardboard and rubber bands. They are a simple and beautiful way for little ones (and grown ups, too!) to collect and display items found from nature. In the Autumn, they can hold colorful leaves and seed pods and pine cones. In the Spring, they might collect wildflowers in many colors. Come summer, and they become a fragrant display of cut herbs from your kitchen garden. Even in the winter, sprigs of evergreen trees and berries add a bit of life and greenery to a drearier season of the year.

My playgroup loves meeting up at local sprinkler and water parks in the summer. The best part of a park that is abundant in water supply is not having to haul that with you. Rather, our Nature-on-the-Go kits contain activities that require only the addition of water--such as watercolor art, empty bins with toys for water play (especially great for babies and young toddlers not yet able to use a sprinkler park independently) or even seed planting activities. Just add water!

In an effort to encourage outdoor play in all types of weather, we bring activities that give enjoyment and a splash of color to all types of weather--even windy weather. And the weather conditions on this day did not disappoint! The children (and adults) loved making ribbon kites using colorful strands of ribbon and shower curtain rings. It's so cheap (all dollar store purchases), so simple and yet so much fun.

My list of water play toys is certainly unconventional at best, but it's inexpensive, always popular and easy to replace if some random kid at the sprinkler park really falls in love with your sponge brush and you don't have the heart to grab it back before you leave...not that this has ever happened to me!

Nature-based Literacy on the Go kits are a great way to keep everyone reading when school is out. Why should summer reading restrict you to a couch or chair indoors? Grab a book (or two or three), some puppets or toys, costumes or props for story telling and have a good read together outside. 

• Starting Up Your Own Nature-Based Play Group: If creating an outdoor classroom with no walls or roof has the same appeal to you as it did to me, you might be ready to start your own meetup group! I will be the first to admit that I am a bit introverted and sometimes even shy. Putting myself out there when I'm out there is not totally within my comfort zone. Nature is my comfort zone, so that definitely increases my confidence a bit, but reaching out in that way--even among friends--is a stretch for me. I love it, nonetheless. We've had activities that were successes, activities that were flops and everything in between. We've had meetups with a huge turn out and one with only one other family--they have all been equally valuable and amazing. My initial vision and what I am actually doing are not in 100% alignment and I've tweaked and changed my vision quite often. I hope it will continue to grow and evolve just as our garden does. 

If starting up your own group sounds like something you'd like to pursue, here are a few things to consider:

• Who is your target audience? Who are you looking to reach? Your friends and family? A local school? Only children or children with adults? Is your group open to children of all ages or geared toward a specific age range? Will it be by invite/word of mouth or open to the public? In the event it is by invite only, be mindful of your space/location and any potential needs to reserve space in advance.
• What is your mission? Setting an intention for your group can help shape your approach. Are you looking to socialize? Are you wanting to teach? Are you aiming to inspire others to get outside more often? Your mission and intentions may change and evolve often and that is OK--it's a great idea to assess your program as you build and run it and to address areas in which it might grow or change. It is also important to make sure that your mission is a reflection of your own values as well as the interests and values of your group.
• Where will you meet? I utilize public locations like parks, playgrounds and even nature spaces behind local libraries. Will your group always meet in the same place? Or will you park hop like we do? Will you be meeting in locations that require payment (like private gardens or botanical garden centers, museums or U-pick farms) and if so, how will you handle this? 
• Cost and Money Matters: I feel strongly about the outdoors being accessible to all and that includes financial accessibility. I choose not to meet up in places with a cover charge and I also choose not to implement a cover charge for my events. As such, I use what I have on hand for activities or when we do need supplies, I ask for families who wish to and are able to contribute (such as seeds for a seed exchange). Delegating leadership in your group can also help divide some of the costs. Someone who has a lot of experience with rock painting might have all the supplies on hand at home and be happy to lead the activity. Because parks and playgrounds are free and open to the public, they are the perfect "outdoor classroom" for taking the show on the road. Also consider inquiring in public schools that are off during the summer (and might even love the help with their own garden maintenance), community gardens, farmers' markets, local farms and nature spaces at other public venues like libraries and museums (many museums have outdoor spaces that are accessible and open to the public even if their indoor exhibits cost money).
• Accessibility in General: Nature is a space that can and should be accessible to all. When I plan my events, I try to keep in mind families who may need accommodations for any number of reasons. Some of the things I've had to think about for my own family and/or others are:
•  allergy and food safety (this includes strictly kosher diets and extreme food allergies/allergies to certain seeds and plants as well as animals)
• mobility challenges for infants/toddlers or other reasons--is your location stroller/wheelchair accessible
• sensory differences and meeting in spaces where there is support for families with children who may struggle with related issues
• concerns of elopement or children who frequently run off--is your location securely gated and if not, can you work with other adults to ensure safety and a set of eyes in a variety of locations
• activities that are accessible to all ages and stages--this means I include a blanket with floor activities for younger ones and engaging activities for older children and even adults
• awareness and sensitivity to those who may need service animals--this is an issue I have had crop up in my groups whether it's a group member or just a visitor at a park. As a group leader, I absolutely allow and support those using service dogs to attend and I also explain and expose my children to their purpose. My older son is quite fearful of dogs, so it has been a process to be in parks in general, but this is a great opportunity for exposure in a sensitive environment.
• childhood fears and anxieties (and adult ones, too!) We've made it through the intense fear of public toilets flushing and hand dryers here so we can finally go back to that one park... But in all seriousness, there are fears and anxieties that crop up outdoors and everyone has different comfort levels. Children and their adults have different comfort levels with getting dirty, playing with sticks, being exposed to the elements, and proximity to one another while we're out there. I never push. I offer. I expose. I don't force. 
• When in doubt, ask! Overall, when it comes to meeting group needs and making it accessible to all, I just ask. If you're not sure what a child with multiple allergies can safely be around, ask! If you're not sure a member traveling with a service animal feels welcomed and included, ask what you can do to assist? If a group member is uncomfortable with something or concerned, ask! I've yet to offend someone by asking (at least I think) but I'm sure there are occasions in my life where I did offend someone by assuming.
• Frequency of Meetups and Leadership: Will you meet on a regular basis or schedule (like I do) more sporadically? How will you advertise? Social media? Word of mouth? Phone/invitation? Will your meetups be weather dependent (mine are) or will you go outside no matter what (#lifegoals) and risk the old no one shows up thing? Will you tend to all the leadership duties on your own or delegate roles to others? You might even consider a more co-op style meetup and rotate leadership and location that way...
• What will your teaching style be? I initially envisioned giving a formal group discussion with parents on topics of outdoor play and learning and directing activities with the kids. I chickened out after the first group. Turns out, I still don't like talking to grown ups in a formal way. I also didn't feel I could focus on direct instruction in this way while also being present with the children (particularly my own) in an open, outdoor space. What I do like and find that works for me and for my diverse group of families and children of all ages is having the activity open and set out and being intermittently available to my own kids, others' kids and to the other adults to talk about nature based topics as they crop up or any topic at all for that matter. My own kids often are more excited to play with other kids than to do the activity (which many times, they've already done at home). Sometimes an activity goes untouched and that's OK. Sometimes one is so popular I store it in the vault for a repeat session! I've also infiltrated less "direct" ways of teaching as well. I now tow along a "Little Traveling Nature Library" that includes books for all ages and some hands-on materials and resources associated with our activity theme. This is a great way to bring literacy, science and other learning areas on the go with you. I also provide access to information I think is interesting and relevant on my group's Facebook page. I've thought about doing more age-targeted groups in the future, outdoor story times, themed master classes, etc. It's OK for your goals to be more in the long term--a garden grows at its own pace!

I hope this series has been a helpful one as you plan or revisit the use of your own outdoor space and nature based learning. I'll continue to post on our nature based activities in our "Get Outside And..." series and surely we will be sharing our own garden journey this season. You might be a seasoned outdoor teacher already. You might be in the stages of just sowing the seeds. Or perhaps you're not even there yet and you're just perusing those proverbial seed catalogs and dreaming up your future garden. Whatever stage you're at, I encourage you to step outside. Inspiration will follow and the rest really will fall into place. Until then....

Happy Playing!