Learn more about our circles
How we learn, tend, and gather together. Circles for children, grown-ups, and the spaces in between
organized around seasons, relationship, and care.
For children and families
OUR CIRCLES
Learning blooms when children can lead with their curiousity.
We provide the space, the materials, and the care—they bring the questions.
Nests is a child-led, nature-based 100% outdoor learning group and community of practice where caregivers and children learn to listen and attune—to each other and to the land.
Held 9:30–11:30 AM across four eight-week seasonal sessions (Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer), each mixed-age class follows a gentle rhythm of circle time, story, snack, and free play rooted in children's liberation.
Together we sing, dig, climb, and explore outdoors, engaging minds, bodies, and spirits while trusting children to lead the way.
Introduce and practice age appropriate consent-based body awareness and safety skills
Share environmental knowledge amongst a multicultural group
Connect deeply with ourselves and our child(ren) through activities that focus on care, collaboration, and wonder
Build meaningful relationships with one another in a safe, anti-bias environment
About Nests
sample rhythm
9:00–9:15 - Arrival & welcome
9:15–9:45 - Morning circle & Breakfast Club
9:45–10:45 - Play Exploration
10:45–11:00 - Closing Circle
Sample Rhythm:
About Nests
Program goals
Nests - Community Circle
Caregiver and Me Nature Group
Every Community Pop-Up brings a special guest—an artist, gardener, musician, maker, or storyteller—for a hands-on session where kids can learn something new, try a new skill, and connect with even more members of our wider community.
From learning to weave to jamming with a local musician to getting our hands dirty with a neighborhood gardener, each pop-up is a chance to discover new passions, meet new mentors, and see just how many ways there are to connect with nature and each other.
New pop-ups are announced every season—sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when and who's joining us next!
More information
Provide a safe, healthy and consistent space for children to play, learn, and grow
Model and support the practice of age-appropriate body awareness, communication, conflict transformation, and safety skills
Promote multicultural approaches of knowing and being in relationship to the land including through art, histories and cultures, literature, music, dance and more.
Build a culture of care and belonging with one another and all life forms of the park.
Program Goals:
9:00 - 9:15 - Drop-off & Free Play
9:15 - 9:30 - Morning Circle
9:30 - 10:00 - Snack & Bathroom Break
10:00 - 11:15 - Land Exploration & Thematic Invitation
11:15 - 12:00 - Lunch & Bathroom Break
12:00 - 1:00 - Quiet time
1:00 - 2:15 - Story/Dance/Music/Art Invitation
2:15 - 2:30 - Tidy Up
2:30 - 2:45 - Closing Circle
2:45 - 3:00 - Pick-up
Sample Rhythm:
wHAT IS A PLAY WORKER?
what to expect
aBOUT sUN gARDENS cAMP
Some ways you might see children playing and learning in Sun Gardens:
- pretend play scenarios such as animal families or role play with puppets
- building tools and homes
- participating in both independent and collaborative process art projects using myriad rich materials for expression
- family and culture shares
- digging in dirt and puddles; experimenting with water
- making up games and teaching/playing them with others
- singing and dancing together
- reading and telling stories to ignite a lifelong love of literature and storytelling
- hiking; bird-watching and plant identification
- making and serving one another pretend food in the mud kitchen
- preparing, serving, and enjoying daily lunches (then tidying up)
- mark-making and reflection through journaling
- inspiring unique, emergent threads of inquiry that hold deep meaning for children
- laughter and silliness and holding space for all emotions that arise
- mindfulness, movement and breathing exercises to promote self-awareness and presence
- resourceful independent and community problem solving
The play and learning will always be indicative of and authentic to the particular children and group in a given session.
about the playworkers
goals & rhythm
wHAT IS A PLAY WORKER?
aBOUT sUN gARDENS cAMP
Playworkers are there to protect our play space, support children when needed and facilitate a culture of belonging within our community and amongst all life forms.
Playworkers follow the child, learning with and responding to each child's uniqueness in relationship to their cohort.
Some things you will see our playworkers doing are:
• Facilitating a safe and healthy space for children to fully immerse themselves in play
• Co-assessing risks with children
• Modeling listening to our bodies, healthy self-expression and listening to understand one another
• Setting up invitations to thematic exploration using natural elements, ethically sourced multicultural materials, games and resources
• Closely observing children, documenting their interests, questions, play stories, and seeking opportunities to enrich their understanding
• Verbally coaching children through the steps of conflict transformation and repair, only after patiently giving children the space to do it or if the situation has become unsafe
• Intentionally stepping back from their interactions with a child when they have begun to play independently or with other children
• Modeling a lifelong learning ethic by engaging in their own interests and welcoming the children to participate if they express interest
gardens overview
goals & rhythm
aBOUT sUN gARDENS cAMP
what to expect
Join us this summer in Edgerton Park, as we get curious together and imagine new ways of connecting to and caring for our natural world.
Designed for children ages 3–8, Sun Gardens invites children to explore who they are (hint: we are all nature!), what lifeforms are living in the park, and how we can care for one another.
Over the course of camp, children will engage in imaginative play, collaborative art projects, multicultural music and dance, and kinship building with nature — all guided by community care principles and a land-honoring approach.
WAITLIST OPENS JanUARY 2027
HOW wE gATHER
About Sun Gardens
- Splash, dig & create—open play with water, soil, clay, plant-based art supplies, books, instruments, and open-ended natural toys, all ready for little hands to explore
- Dance, sing & play together—multicultural music circles, silly songs, and collaborative games that get everyone moving
- Trek & discover—binoculars, compasses, and notebooks in hand as we go searching for hidden critters, cool plants, and signs of life all around the park
- Lead the way—plenty of space for kids to make their own choices, speak up, and build real friendships with each other, our playworkers, and the land itself
WAITLIST OPENS FEBRUARY 2027
For caregivers and aligned adults
OUR CIRCLES
Caregivers and community members gather to reflect, heal, study, and imagine together. These circles support the inner work required to hold space for children's autonomy and to live in kinship with the land.
Join us on Zoom
Caregivers
A brave space to practice
A monthly practice space for caregivers who want to go deeper.
This circle is for parents, caregivers and allied adults who need a space to reflect and respond, to think critically about what we've been taught and who want a community of people doing the same un/learning work towards children's liberation.
for Liberation
Coming Soon
Professional Development Trainings
Brave Nature offers trainings in consent-based practice upon request. As a part of our commitment to education equity and economic justice, our trainings are accessible at different price points.
for nature schools, daycares, early learning programs
inquire now
How can we help you on your journey?
Not sure which program fits, whether membership makes sense, or if BNC is right for your family right now?
Schedule a free orientation call. No commitment, no pressure. Just a conversation.
book an orientation call
Let’s find our way together
🕐 15 minutes
✓ Free · No commitment
🌿 Any family, any situation