Little Willows, Caregiver & Me classes are designed for children and their caregivers to explore outdoors & engage in child-led play. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive community, where all families feel welcome and all are invited to grow together. We focus on supporting children’s growth in confidence, curiosity and creativity in nature!
Each class offers nature-inspired activities that are developmentally appropriate. Classes may include: crafts, songs, free exploration, scavenger hunts, movement, activity stations, storytime, community connection, relationship building, fun and more!
For ages: 1-5yrs old and their caregiver
Seasonal/ 4 Week Blocks (beginning Fall 2022)
Day/s of week: Mondays
Time: 10am-11am
Block #1:
August 22,29, Sept. 12,19-Completed
Block #2:
October 3,10, 17,31
Block #3:
November 14, 28, December 5, 12
Block #4:
2023: January 16, 23, 30, February 6
Block #5:
2023: February 20, 27,March 6, 13
Block #6:
2023: March 27, April 10, 17, 24
Block #7:
2023: May 8, 15, 22, June 5
Block #8:
2023: June 19, 26, July 3, 10
Tuition:
4 weeks- $60 per child
Sibling discount-$10 off for the 4 weeks = $50 each additional sibling
Nonparticipating infants are free to attend, older siblings are welcome to come but not participate in the activities unless paying.
All Blocks- (8, 4 week blocks)= $400 total (Discount of $10 off each block)
Drop in class per child- $22 – must sign waivers and register ahead to drop in.
Location:
Giving Gardens of Indiana
479 S. Towerview Dr., Columbia City, IN 46725
Please read Parent Handbook prior to your first class: read here
What do I bring to class?
Other important info:
Jennifer lives in Roanoke, IN with her husband and three daughters. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from St. Mary's College and a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Indianapolis. She has worked at various skilled nursing facilities as an OT, and during the school year, she volunteers at her church in the children's department. For the past two years she has been a full time stay at home mom and has thoroughly enjoyed providing as many opportunities as possible for her kids to be outside. Her family can often be found around their town playing at the creek, biking, sledding, visiting the farmers market, participating in sports, going to tiny libraries, and meeting up with friends at the park. She also enjoys camping, walking, swimming, gardening, and baking. Her love for the outdoors developed as a child with family and friends. Jennifer's family took several camping trips throughout the U.S., went canoeing and hiking often, and made apple cider each year with their antique press. On evenings and weekends, you could always find her and the neighbor kids playing outside for hours. These experiences and traditions certainly made for a fulfilling childhood and instilled a lifelong love for nature. Jennifer wants to encourage parents and caregivers to get their kids outside, especially in those younger years, because of the positive impact nature can have on their development and well-being. She wants to join you and your kids on this outdoor journey!
Jessica has an educational background as a Forest School Director and Forest School teacher, Kamana Naturalist, personal training, yoga teaching, and natural movement, certified in nutrition, and thai yoga practitioner. She is the Outdoor Educator for TROY Alternative School for at-risk youth and currently homeschools her two teenage sons. She joined with Giving Gardens of Indiana as the Educational Director in the summer of 2019. She serves on the Tree Board in Columbia City. She is currently in Naturalist training through Wilderness Awareness School. Sharing her excitement for the world around us and nature with kids is what she loves to teach most. She is a teacher to the core! Jessica has been in love with gardening since her, and her husband were married and has grown something everywhere since (even when traveling in their schoolie!). Her passion for hiking has turned her into a forager and hobby herbalist. Taking care of the natural world and educating others in this area is one of her top priorities. She tries her best to live a healthy and sustainable lifestyle and share that example with others. Because of this personal mission, she is the “Green Team” co-founder for the Ignite Group for their ultra trail running series, with a mission to help “Green” up the races so that there is less waste generated by the sporting events. That has also led her to be a local food advocate and share the importance of seasonal, local consumption in a sustainable way, because not only is it healthy for you, but it also supports the earth and the local community and families. Being a part of Giving Gardens as Educational Director is all of her dreams and experience rolled into one!
