Natural Nests

04/10/2026

Summer Registration is LIVE - Classes AND Camp at Backyard Classroom! This summer is especially meaningful because it’s my fourth season running Backyard Classroom, and I’m thrilled to finally introduce something many of you have asked for…the very first Backyard Classroom Summer Camp 🎉! This will be in addition to my weekly classes so you can sign up for classes, camp, or both!

Below are the two ways your kids can join us for this summer:

🌻🌻🌻 Backyard Classroom Weekly Classes (Ages 2–9)
Caregiver attends with child

🌻 WHEN: Mondays, 11:00 AM – 1:15 PM, June 15 – August 17

🌻 WHAT: Each week kids ages 2–9 take part in hands-on activities focused on our planet and the local ecosystem with a splash of other subjects such as history, social studies, language arts, and more. By intermingling micro lessons with art, experiments, making, nature exploration, movement, and group games, children better retain information while building curiosity, confidence, and friendships.

🌻SIGN UP: https://bit.ly/BCsummer26signup
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☀️ NEW: Backyard Classroom Half-Day Summer Camp (Ages 4–9)
Drop-off program

☀️ WHEN: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

☀️ WHAT: Our summer camp is like an expanded version of our classes for ages 4-9 with a mix of educational lessons, play based activities to reinforce the lesson, and free play in our fun outdoor classroom to foster friendships. There are trampolines, a ninja playground, swings, a slide, two climbing domes, a large mud kitchen, zipline, playhouse, outdoor toys, and lots more! At camp there will be time for more involved projects such as plant-based fabric dying, process art, gardening and homesteading projects, foraging, and nature focused invitations to play.

☀️ SIGN UP: https://bit.ly/BCsummer26signup

03/15/2026

Kids are meant to be outside - exploring, asking questions, getting their hands dirty, and discovering the world together 👧🏾🔎🧒🏻. This spring, give your child the chance to learn about nature and science alongside other curious kids at Backyard Classroom at the Crowe’s Nest! Our outdoor classes are all about exploration, creativity, and connection as children observe the changing season, investigate the natural world, and play together in a beautiful and fun outdoor classroom 🌞.

🌷 Spring 2026 Season: March 23 – June 8
🌷 Mondays: 11:00 AM – 1:15 PM

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
👨‍👩‍👧 25% off siblings and siblings under 2 join free.

🌸 SIGN UP: bit.ly/BCspring26signup
🌸 MORE INFO: bit.ly/BCspring26info

Each week kids ages 2–9 take part in hands-on activities focused on our planet and the local ecosystem with a splash of other subjects such as history, social studies, language arts, and more. By intermingling micro lessons with art, experiments, making, nature exploration, movement, and group games, children better retain information while building curiosity, confidence, and friendships. Class finishes up with the loved 'Snack and Storytime' which features themed living books and often sparks vibrant discussions and questions.

Families also receive simple follow-up activity ideas and resources each week, so kids can keep exploring and learning at home which is perfect for homeschool families. Backyard Classroom integrates a mix of and educational styles.

Still want to know more? Check out the Backyard Classroom Highlight on IG: https://www.instagram.com/naturalnests

Get your little ones outdoors while you connect with fellow parents while the children play and explore. We all need a little more sunshine in our lives 🌞!

03/03/2026

If you're over winter and ready for spring, fear not! 🌷 Spring is right around the corner and Backyard Classroom at the Crowe’s Nest is gearing up for our fourth spring season filled with outdoor exploration 🌳, science 🔎, art 🎨, and joyful connection in nature 🙌🏽! The flower bulbs will be popping up, the trees will be turning green again, and the sun will be higher in the sky shining on our faces, so join us in this beauty at the outdoor classroom!

If your child loved their time with us — or you've been meaning to join — now’s the time! The Spring 2026 Season starts March 23rd and runs through June 8th - every Monday from 11 AM - 1:15 PM. But the early bird discount ends soon and gets you a free class, so don't delay!

⌛⌛⌛ Early Bird Discount ends March 8th!
Save 25% on siblings, and siblings under 2 join for free!

🌸 SIGN UP AT: bit.ly/BCspring26signup

🌸 MORE INFO: bit.ly/BCspring26info

Backyard Classroom is designed for kids ages 2–9, and focuses on learning about our planet and the local ecosystem with fun play-based activities incorporating science, art, geography, history, social studies, language arts, and more. Children learn through micro-lessons, art, games, movement, exploration, and the social experience of the class. You can continue each week's lesson theme at home with free resources and easy activity ideas I send for reinforcement - perfect for homeschoolers!

02/22/2026

Feeling cooped up with your little ones? Get outside and build resiliency in your children and with yourself! Register for the last half of the winter season of Backyard Classroom - an all outdoors nature based class for kids 2-9 years old in Fort Washington, MD. Learn about the local ecosystem with fun activities incorporating science, art, history, social studies, & beyond! Friendships are formed during free play and by creating together.

Bundle up, step outside, and let winter work its magic.
❄️ SIGN UP: https://bit.ly/BCwinter26
❄️ MORE INFO: https://bit.ly/BCwinter26info
❄️ PRORATED DISCOUNT: If you'd like to sign up for the remainder of the classes this winter (Feb 23rd - March 16th), the total is just $79! Pay at bit.ly/BCwinter26payment. Registration includes supplemental resources to accompany each class and the theme that week and invites to our winter group hikes and meetups too!

Tag a friend who may be interested! Let's encourage one another to get outside and challenge ourselves while getting healthier with fresh air and much needed vitamin D 🌞.

Pictures from earlier this season - Winter 2026!

02/11/2026

This is how I get my kids more involved in holiday events like a while also keeping things natural and affordable. Everything is and 💕.

💓 Dexterity: Cutting out paper hearts and pasting onto bags
💓 Handwriting/Spelling: Writing classmates names on bags
💓 Art: Decorating the bags and their Valentine's
💓 Organizing: Ensuring each bag gets one of each item
💓 Reading: Handing the bags out to the appropriate classmate

Sometimes parents can get involved in making things picture perfect and the kids don't learn much from that. Let them write messily and draw stick figures because practice makes perfect.

01/18/2026

Join us for a special class on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Mon Jan 19th) all about & ✌️☮️🕊️. These classes are geared for children 9 and under and integrate science and nature into the lessons with activities, crafts, games and free play intermingled. If you're off of school or work and can't normally attend , this is your opportunity to join us in the great outdoors and celebrate an American Hero - Martin Luther King Jr.

SIGN UP at bit.ly/BCwinter26

Drop in just for the & class or the rest of the winter season (prorated discount applies, just PM me!)

12/28/2025

❄️ Winter doesn’t mean staying inside. It means leaning into the season, so come and lean into it with other local families seeking to get outside and build resiliency in their children. Sign up for the Winter ’26 season of Backyard Classroom!

With our early bird discount available through the end of ’25, now’s the perfect time to lock in the best price and a season of fresh air, movement, and meaningful outdoor learning.

Even in the colder months, children thrive outside. Our bodies need regular vitamin D from winter sun ☀️, crisp clean air as a break from the stagnant indoor air, and hands-on experiences with peers that build confidence, friendships, and a lifelong love of nature and science.

✨ New this season: A 5-class Winter Drop-In Pass for families who want flexibility without committing to the full session.

Bundle up, step outside, and let winter work its magic.

SIGN UP: https://bit.ly/BCwinter26
MORE INFO: https://bit.ly/BCwinter26info

10/26/2025

📢 We just had three spots open up for the Backyard Classroom Halloween Party 🎃 tomorrow/Monday! Join other families for a fun party in my fun-filled outdoor classroom where we'll:
🦇 Learn about bats for Int. Bat Week
🦇 Make bat art to take home
🦇 Make DIY slime together to take home
🦇 Play fun Halloween games
🦇 Exchange goodie bags or treats (optional) with a really crunchy crowd (no artificial colors, clean ingredients encouraged)

Costumes are encouraged but not required for all ages! REGISTER NOW before this event is sold out again ---> bit.ly/BCfall25signup

10/19/2025

The due date has been extended until the end of the day TODAY, Oct 19th!!! If you've got kids 2-9 years old, want an educational Halloween event (the theme is bats 🦇, want an excuse for your child to show off their costume some more (minus the sugar but still loads of fun), AND get outside, check this event out!

🦇 REGISTER TODAY at bit.ly/BCfall25signup
🦇 Location: Fort Washington, MD near the Tantallon Marina (address provided once registration and payment is completed)
🦇 $23 to drop in and a 25% off sibling discount, siblings under 2 are free

10/04/2025

Today was fantastic, I learned a lot, and I met many homeschool families and got to know some better. I am feeling all the love, in-person and on socials, for my biggest event ever with Backyard Classroom. Click to see how many families came out to my Nature & Homestead Field Trip ---> https://www.instagram.com/p/DPX0Mo_jIdl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&fbclid=IwY2xjawNNefpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIQXdlRnhpNm5yT2NSbVNJAR5q0PFDtxdB8IJxWqLFsRfhNycJu84z3wESqKu34YBtu6l2vmgcDyKh4ykYyg_aem_Od6OShUHlplF8S_OClOqWw

P.S. More shares from other families in my stories!

09/17/2025

Field trip to Backyard Classroom! Join us for a hands-on adventure in an outdoor classroom where we’ll discover just how much nature gives us when we slow down and look closely. This field trip is perfect for ages 5–14 (but all ages are welcome!) and is packed with play and activity-based fun, as well as short lessons, take home printables, and ideas for further homeschool lessons!

SIGN UP 👉 https://omella.com/ng23z

Here’s what we’ll get up to:
✨ Taste and learn about a few wild edibles
🍯 Make a simple tea and syrup from plants around us
🐓 Crash course on backyard chickens and their benefits beyond eggs
🥚 Learn about eggs and help cook up a healthy snack with them
🌼 Collect seeds to take home and learn about the benefits of native plants
🍂 Make your own nature art with a fall theme for all the fall lovers

Think of it as part nature class, part homestead workshop, part cooking lesson, part art studio—all rolled into one! Families will head home with new skills, new creations, and a fresh love for the amazing world just outside our doors to help foster exploration in your backyard or local park.

This field trip is being coordinated by the , Worldschoolers but you do not need to be in the umbrella to attend. However, I highly recommend them if you're into homeschooling freedom with no required portfolios.

Omella: Payments, forms and signatures, all in one place

08/20/2025

Thinking about homeschooling this fall 🍁? Or maybe your little ones aren’t school-aged yet but still need fun, educational, and social experiences. Join us outdoors where learning meets play! Together we’ll explore nature with a focus on our local ecosystem and discover the wonders of the world we call home. Form healthy habits by getting outside weekly at a minimum - sign up for the season and save! Hurry, class starts Monday August 25th ---> bit.ly/BCfall25signup

🌳 All-outdoor, play-based classes for ages 2–9
🌎 Learn about the local ecosystem through science, art, games & movement
👫 Build friendships & collaboration skills
📅 Mondays 11AM – 1PM (optional add-on: Wednesdays)
🍂 Runs Aug 25 – Dec 15 (no class Sept 29, makeup class option)

✔️ Save 25% on siblings
✔️ Siblings under 2 are FREE

Perfect for homeschoolers or families looking for a mindful, nature-based learning experience. Get a feel for what Backyard Classroom is about (check the Backyard Classroom highlights): www.instagram.com/naturalnests

🍁 More info & details: bit.ly/BCfall25
🍁 Sign up now: bit.ly/BCfall25signup