Bringing Joy Back to Childhood!
Adventures Await!!!
Our Programs:
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This program is for Ages 1-5 years old and their caregiver. Together they will explore and enjoy Nature!
4 week blocks
Mondays 10am-11am
$70 per child, per block
$25 Drop in fee
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This is a Nature & Play Based preschool for ages 3-6 years old. Beginning their educational journey immersed in Nature through curiosity and play! This is how children learn best!
School year long program
9am-12pm M/W/F
or
1pm-4pm M/W/F
$85 Weekly per child
Need Based Scholarships Available
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This Elementary Age program builds life skills through experiences in Nature and Self Directed Play. This is for ages 6-12 years old.
15 week Semesters
Tuesday and/or Thursday
1 day $TBD for 15 weeks
2 day $TBD for 15 weeks
Sibling Discounts & Scholarships available
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Nature Camps are for Preschool and Elementary age students. Our camps allow children to explore and enjoy the Natural World while learning new skills and spending time with friends!
Preschool: (3-6yrs old)
Cost: $90 per child per week
M/Tu/W
Elementary: (6-12yrs old)
Cost: $90 per child per week
M/Tu/W
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This program is in partnership with TROY Alternative School for Middle and High School students. Students get the opportunity to build life skills for Holistic Health through experiences in Nature.
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Learn more about what new events and field trips we offer seasonally by clicking below!
What is Nature Immersion Programming?
Nature immersion programming is what may also be called Forest School or Nature School. These styles of education immerse the student in nature in all weather, to learn from their environment and give them the building blocks to grow as a WHOLE person. These methods focus on developing the skills, interests and understanding of the student through practical, hands on experiences. Students have the freedom to follow their interests, explore their environment, and learn at their own pace. This method allows for curiosity, playfulness and sociability to inspire the life long love of learning!
It’s that time of year to register for your free garden plants!!
Do you love gardening?
It is our annual plant giveaway and this year we are partnering with Columbia City Connect and the First Friday’s Event in downtown Columbia City! First Friday’s is a fun family event with food trucks, live music, vendors and kids activities and of course great community connection!
This year we will be featured in the May First Friday’s Pedals & Petals Event. We will have a booth for Giving Gardens of Indiana downtown on the Square. We are offering our FREE 4 pack of plants to giveaway to all who registered. So make sure and REGISTER!
Quantities are limited. First come first serve.
What will be in the FREE 4 pack of plants this year?
1 Roma (paste tomato)
1 Chadwick Cherry (red cherry tomato)
1 California Wonder (bell pepper)
1 Jalapeno (hot pepper)
So come and join us to celebrate the garden season and learn more about our Nature immersion programs we offer!
See you Downtown on the Square!
Hosted by Amy DuBois & Jess Burkett from Giving Gardens of Indiana
Deadline to register May 8th!
It's Spring and the woods are coming alive with Wild Herbs both edible and medicinal. Finding and harvesting wild herbs for yourself and your family can be fun and nutritious and an inexpensive way to take care of our health. Amy and Jess will share some basics about safely and honorably harvesting Wild Herbs from Mother Nature as we walk through the woods to discover what is abound!
Where: Morsches Park 1035 IN-205, Columbia City, IN 46725- outdoor pavilion in back of park by the pond.
When: Saturday., May 11th 10-11:30am
Cost: $15 per person
Age: 13+
What: You will learn basic knowledge about foraging and you will receive a nature journal for note taking on our hike and handout and hot tea made with our wild herbs!
You must register and pay ahead of time to hold your spot.
Spring Wild Herb Walk
Sourdough Basics
Hosted by Brooke Pettit and Giving Gardens of Indiana
Deadline to register is May 19th!!
Are you interested in learning sourdough but don’t know where to begin? Join Brooke Pettit in this 1.5 hour class where you will learn the basics of sourdough. Participants will learn how to:
•maintain and feed a starter
•learn how to create & use a versatile dough
•how to shape and score dough
•baking schedules to suit your busy schedule
•sample bread
Everyone will get to take home their very own starter to get started on their sourdough journey!
There is a gym for kids to play in next to the kitchen. There will be no staff attending children. So if you have an older child who would like to watch kids while they play ball in the gym, that would be appreciated. The gym is visible from the kitchen.
Where: The Center, 201 W Market St, Columbia City, IN 46725
When: Wednesday, May 22nd 1-2:30pm
Cost: $25 per person
Age: 13+
What: You will learn basics about how to bake your own sourdough bread at home.
Brooke’s Bio:
My name is Brooke Pettit, I am married and have 2 wild boys. I started sourdough 2 years ago as a hobby after becoming a stay at home mom. It quickly became a passion that I loved! Being able to feed my family quality nourishing food made from just a few simple ingredients is a big priority for me. In September of 2023 I started selling my sourdough baked goods. I love sharing with my community quality bread, but what I love even more is sharing what I know with others.
Follow me on Facebook : @BrookesSourdoughBakedGoods
Gear Sale Fundraiser!
Want to support our organization and programs?!
You can purchase gear by following this link and clicking on the Giving Gardens of Indiana store.
There is gear for your favorite program or the organization! You pick! And if you would like to just donate, you can donate through the website:
Thank you for helping our students and our programs GROW!!!
Do you have an item sitting around your home you would want to share?
Loose parts are an important learning tool for our students education and building creativity! So if you have anything at home you are no longer using, donating it to our students will make joyful learning for them and reduce waste at the same time!
If you would just like to make a donation to our classroom supplies, this is a great list of needs we use often!
Thank you for helping support the growth of the future generations with your generosity!
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