Trailblazers & Explorers - Elementary Desert School Programs
We are offering 2 of our desert (forest) school programs in North Phoenix for the 2024-2025 school year. Click on the program below to jump to the corresponding section.
All classes will take place at Thunderbird Conservation Park in Glendale.
ECO Trailblazers
AGES/GRADES:
ECO Trailblazers is for children in K/1st-3rd grade (approximate ages 6-9 yrs old). Trailblazers uses children’s questions as the springboard for the days learning. We build on this natural curiosity with engaging lessons that encourage children’s interests and stretch their thinking. This approach allows educators to meet the unique educational needs of the group.
This program is not drop off.
TUITION:
There are only 12 openings for each program!
Full year payment option: $400 for the year / Sibling discount $380 ($20 sibling discount applied)*
½ semester payment option: $200 Fall, $240 Spring / Sibling discount $190 Fall, $230 Spring
*You save $40 if you choose to pay for the year.
SCHEDULE:
You can view the calendar here.
The North Phoenix program will meet every other week at Thunderbird Conservation Park. Due to the demand for this age group we will be offering 2 program options one on Tuesday and one on Thursday from 10:00 am-12:30 pm for 17 weeks. A few people have inquired about attending both programs so that they can attend a class each week. This is an option and we will offer an additional discount please contact us for details.
Tuesday dates 8/27, 9/10, 9/24, 10/8, 10/22, 11/19, 12/10, 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29, 5/13
Thursday dates 8/22, 9/5, 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 11/14, 12/5, 1/2, 1/16, 1/30, 2/13, 2/27, 3/13, 3/27, 4/10, 4/24, 4/8
Each class will follow a similar format:
10:00 am - Greeting - children greet one another and the land, invitation to share feelings and observations. Review basic rules of safety and kindness.
10:15 am - Exploratory Play & Guided Activity (as needed) - children are encouraged to orient themselves to and explore the natural space, which includes thoughtfully curated materials, exploration tools, etc. There is also time for nature journaling.
11:00 am - Snack and Story
11:15 am - Field Exploration - children take a hike to further explore our place. Environmental literacy skills are built while identifying species and learning about wildlife habitats. Children will have opportunities to climb trees, build forts, play games, and engage in scientific inquiry through spontaneous and planned activities.
12:00 pm - Craft/Art Project - children create nature process art, bushcraft project, etc.
12:15 pm - Good Byes - children say their goodbyes, reflect on what we learned, and share gratitude not only for our time together, but the land that nourished us.
12:30 pm - Class Ends
TOPICS:
We want to get back to the traditional "forest" philosophy, so classes will not have set themes, though we will have a rough schedule for the day. We will instead let the desert be our guide and lead us on holistic learning journeys. We will learn through play and exploration in the natural environment. As we do so children will learn about themselves, their peers, and the changing world in which they live. The learning that will take place in desert school will be an ongoing process that develops naturally. We will adapt the sessions in order to suit the interests, motivations and attitude of each unique child, and how it impacts the group dynamic as a whole.
ECO STEWARD:
Kathy will be the ECO Steward for the N. Phoenix Program. You can learn more about her here.
FAQs:
REGISTRATION:
Tuesday class 2 openings.
Thursday class 7 openings
Please complete the registration form and waiver and submit your payment using the button below or an alternative option. Class registration is not guaranteed until your registration form, waiver, and payment are received (we will allow time for ESA payments to clear and guarantee your spot if you are using ESA).
If you need an invoice for ESA please select that on the payment screen and we will email you the invoice within 48 hrs.
If you would like to pay a different way we accept the following:
Venmo @ecoexplorers
Zelle 678-457-0802
Cash App $ecoexplorers
ECO Explorers
AGES/GRADES:
ECO Explorers is for children in 4th-7th grade (approximate ages 8-12 yrs old). Explorers uses children’s questions as the springboard for the days learning. We build on this natural curiosity with engaging lessons that encourage children’s interests and stretch their thinking. This approach allows educators to meet the unique educational needs of the group.
This program is not drop off.
TUITION:
There are only 12 openings for each program!
Full year payment option: $400 for the year / Sibling discount $380 ($20 sibling discount applied)*
½ semester payment option: $200 Fall, $240 Spring / Sibling discount $190 Fall, $230 Spring
*You save $40 if you choose to pay for the year.
SCHEDULE:
You can view the morning calendar here and the afternoon calendar here.
The North Phoenix program will meet every other Tuesday.
Tuesday morning dates 8/20, 9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 12/3, 12/17, 1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/11, 3/25, 4/8, 4/22, 5/6, 5/20 - 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Each class will follow a similar format:
10:00 am - Greeting - children greet one another and the land, invitation to share feelings and observations. Review basic rules of safety and kindness.
10:15 am - Exploratory Play & Guided Activity (as needed) - children are encouraged to orient themselves to and explore the natural space, which includes thoughtfully curated materials, exploration tools, etc. There is also time for nature journaling.
11:00 am - Snack and Story
11:15 am - Field Exploration - children take a hike to further explore our place. Environmental literacy skills are built while identifying species and learning about wildlife habitats. Children will have opportunities to climb trees, build forts, play games, and engage in scientific inquiry through spontaneous and planned activities.
12:00 pm - Craft/Art Project - children create nature process art, bushcraft project, etc.
12:15 pm - Good Byes - children say their goodbyes, reflect on what we learned, and share gratitude not only for our time together, but the land that nourished us.
12:30 pm - Class Ends
TOPICS:
We want to get back to the traditional "forest" philosophy, so classes will not have set themes, though we will have a rough schedule for the day. We will instead let the desert be our guide and lead us on holistic learning journeys. We will learn through play and exploration in the natural environment. As we do so children will learn about themselves, their peers, and the changing world in which they live. The learning that will take place in desert school will be an ongoing process that develops naturally. We will adapt the sessions in order to suit the interests, motivations and attitude of each unique child, and how it impacts the group dynamic as a whole.
ECO STEWARD:
Kathy will be the ECO Steward for the North Phoenix Program. You can learn more about her here.
FAQs:
REGISTRATION:
Tuesday class 3 openings.
Please complete the registration form and waiver and submit your payment using the button below or an alternative option. Class registration is not guaranteed until your registration form, waiver, and payment are received (we will allow time for ESA payments to clear and guarantee your spot if you are using ESA).
If you need an invoice for ESA please select that on the payment screen and we will email you the invoice within 48 hrs.
If you would like to pay a different way we accept the following:
Venmo @ecoexplorers
Zelle 678-457-0802
Cash App $ecoexplorers