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Our programs

Farm & Forest School

Our program includes exploring outdoors, animal tracking, plant and animal study, nature & sensory awareness, storytelling, edible & medicinal plants, sit spot, nature journaling, mentorship, empowerment, primitive skills & crafts, and lots of fun and play!

The Giving Gardens of Indiana Farm & Forest School aims to cultivate curiosity, compassion, and connection with the natural world. Studies show that time spent in nature increases attention span, ability to concentrate, self-esteem, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Children who spend more time outdoors and participate in cooperative group activities also tend to have healthier relationships with friends and family.
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We support children to develop an appreciation for each other and the natural world so that they grow into dedicated leaders and environmental stewards in their communities.

 

Interested in contributing to this program?
Check out our wish list items here.

Click here to complete the enrollment form to register your student(s)

Our Teaching Philosophy

We believe the natural world provides an exceptional classroom, inspiring wonder, independent learning and critical thinking. Our nature-based curriculum incorporates a hands-on, experiential approach and the development of the whole-child. We have a flexible inquiry-based facilitation style, and we follow the childrens’ lead much of the time.

  • Our goal is to support children to:
  • be curious and ask questions
  • learn about our local ecosystems
  • use their senses to experience the outdoors
  • develop an appreciation and respect for each other, and the natural world
  • be kind, responsible, and generous members of the community
  • be resilient, overcome challenges, and realize their capabilities
  • play, adventure, build, get dirty, and thoroughly enjoy the outdoors

Our daily routine is guided by the 8 Shields model of Mentoring and Exploring Nature with Children curriculum. Concepts are introduced through our flow of the day, which is designed to work with the natural inclinations and energies of the children and the environment. We follow what sparks connection and excitement for the children. Some days we follow the planned curriculum and on other days, we throw our “plan” out the window and follow the animal tracks we found after opening circle. We believe that children learn the most when they have a “spark in their eye” and are enthusiastic about something they discovered in nature. We ask them questions and study alongside them to deepen their curiosity and knowledge about the nature subject at hand.

Program Locations

Giving Gardens of Indiana
479 S. Towerview Drive, Columbia City, IN 46725
Morsches Park
1035 IN-205, Columbia City, IN 46725

Elementary & Middle/High school

Our Elementary program for children ages 6-12 is an introduction to the natural world with the opportunity for older students to mentor younger/newer students. Through hands-on activity in the garden, games, crafts, stories, song and adventure children learn how to take healthy risks in a safe way while developing a deeper connection to themselves, the natural world and their community. Skills introduced include plant identification, animal tracking, shelter building, fire safety (lighting a fire using various methods, fire structure, extinguishing a fire, the responsibility of using fire), bird language, sit spot, nature journaling, gardening, hiking, outdoor cooking, storytelling, and hazard awareness. 

Enrollment requirements:

  • Because we learn in an outdoor classroom without walls, students must be able to stay with the group and follow instructions most of the time.
  • Students must show respect towards peers, teachers, nature, and park/farm property.
  • Weather appropriate clothing must be worn and provided by the parents/or guardian.

Our Middle/High School program is a full on Nature Immersion program. Students will connect with nature through hands on activities and experience! 

They will build knowledge & skills sets in areas such as:

  • plant identification
  • tracking
  • foraging in all seasons
  • animal and insect identification
  • nature’s remedies
  • seasonal & local cooking, in the kitchen and over a campfire
  • fire building skills
  • eco literacy & projects
  • nature journaling
  • gardening
  • community service
  • hiking
  • and more……

 

Enrollment requirements:

  • Because we learn in an outdoor classroom without walls, students must be able to stay with the group and follow instructions most of the time.
  • Students must show respect towards peers, teachers, nature, and park/farm property.
  • Weather appropriate clothing must be worn and provided by the parents/or guardian.
  • To be curious and open to new experiences!

Fall & Spring 10 week Programs: 

  • Elementary – Tuesday’s 9am-12pm
  • Elementary – Thursday’s 9am-12pm

Winter 6 Week Program:

  • Elementary-Thursday’s 10am-12pm (Morsches Park)

Summer camp programs:

  • Info soon to come!

Pre-school School Year:

  • info coming this spring
  • begin fall 2022

 

Elementary

Morning 9am (15-mins): Welcome and Drop-off

Morning 9:15  (15-mins): Opening Circle- 

Expectations, Movement activities, Class theme(lesson) and Days Gratitude

Morning 9:30 (15-mins): Bathroom break

Morning 9:45 (1 hr 30-min): Activity and or hike

​May include working in the garden, doing a nature craft, learning about a local plant or animal, or playing an active, nature-oriented game, outdoor skills, cooking

Wander the woods and farm; outdoor play may include free play, shelter building or working in the mud kitchen, sit spot, nature journaling

Morning 11:15 (15-min): Bathroom Break

Morning 11:30 (15-min): Snack Break

Morning 11:45 (15-min): Closing Circle: Talk about day/questions, gratitude

Morning 12:00: Goodbye and Parent Pick up

Tuition:

Registration-$50 per family (non-refundable)

  • Fall Semester 10 weeks-$375 per child
  • Spring Semester 10 weeks-$375 per child
  • Winter Semester 6 weeks-$225 per child

Sibling discount-$25 off each additional child

We at Giving Gardens of Indiana want to make our programs available to everyone. If your family is in need of support with tuition you can write us a letter stating your need to be considered for tuition scholarship for Farm and Forest School Semesters. The tuition covers 50% of the semester you are applying for. You must re-apply every semester your child/ren will attend. You can email us your request at :

email:      givinggardensin@gmail.com