08/14/2025
I did it. I really did it. I opened a Nature School.
Saturday we held a private ribbon cutting ceremony with 70 of our closest friends, family, supporters and our new students along with their families. We were also joined by 2 very special guests- OWLS!
I really don’t have the words to express what this whole journey has meant to me. So I’ll just leave you with the speech that I gave right before cutting the ribbon.
Special thanks to all of you who have supported me on this path, especially my husband, who deserves way more credit than I give him ♥️
Did I mention I actually OPENED A NATURE SCHOOL???
(Professional photos coming soon!!!)
—————————————————————————
I first learned about the concept of nature schools or farm schools about 7 years ago, around the same time I was just starting my business. At the time, I was just selling eggs and excess veggies from my garden, but as soon as that seed was planted in my mind, I knew one day, no matter how far away it was, I would have a nature school of my own. And I can’t believe that today is finally that day. Over 7 years of working, waiting, building, pivoting and of course, burning out.
While experiencing severe burnout in recent years and what led to what I jokingly refer to as my existential crisis, I started asking myself some really important questions. The hard questions. What’s my purpose in life? Why am I here? What unique gifts do I have that I can share with the world ? We all face these questions at some point in our life, but no one really talks about it.
As much fun as goat yoga and paint parties are, I wanted more. I wanted to dig deep for meaning , purpose, identity, authenticity and community. I wanted to feel aligned again. For the longest time, I felt as if I was just walking in darkness, not sure which way to turn. But last year, that seed that was once planted all those years ago, started to germinate. I had what I can only describe as a clear calling to finally start my own nature school. The feeling of being pulled in this specific direction was just undeniable. After all that seeking, this is the response I got. This right here. All of it. You, me, the animals, the children. It’s about so much more than business, it’s about more than even education!
It’s about all the things I mentioned before- meaning , purpose, identity, authenticity and community. That’s what nature school is to me! Where children and their families can come and find peace, rest, understanding, support, a haven, an oasis. Where children can run free, be loud, get messy, and just be children. Where life is celebrated in all the little ways- in the beauty of a butterfly, in the wonder of a rainbow, in the joy of playing in the rain. Where the pressure of expectations and societal norms are left at the gate. Where the sanctity and magic of childhood is cherished and celebrated.
Children are the future. The best thing we can do for our world is to raise confident, happy, and peaceful children. I’m so honored and overjoyed to be a part of that.
I’d like to close with one of my favorite poems.
“They caught the wild children and put them in zoos,
They made them do sums and wear sensible shoes.
They put them to bed at the wrong time of day, And made them sit still when they wanted to play.
They scrubbed them with soap and they made them eat peas. They made them behave and say pardon and please.
They took all their wisdom and wildness away.
That’s why there are none in the forests today.”
-Jeanne Willis
