“If children grow up not knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it, and if they don’t protect it, who will?” David Attenborough
Welcome to Wildly Curious, where we believe that children learn best through hands-on experiences that ignite curiosity and foster a passion for life-long learning. Our outdoor learning centre offers an inquiry-based approach where children can freely explore, create, and connect with the natural world.
Set amidst the beauty of nature, Wildly Curious provides a safe and inspiring space where children can develop skills that go beyond academics—cultivating resilience, empathy, and self-awareness. Through activities that range from bushcraft and animal care to creative arts and sustainable gardening, we nurture a deep connection to themselves, each other, and the environment.
Join us in a journey where learning becomes an adventure, and every day opens up new discoveries. Here, your child will become a true steward of their own learning path and the world around them.
“The outdoors offers limitless potential to children. It becomes a place where they can relax their mind, to be inspired and to deep dive into the world of imagination. It’s a place where they can design, create and explore. The possibilities are endless”. Angela Hanscon
Our Programs
Nature Hub 4 – 11 Years
Tuesday & Wednesday | Termly | 9am – 2.30pm
Our Nature hub program takes inspiration from the Forest School, Steiner and Waldorf philosophies. It is also influenced by our unique New Zealand location, native flora, fauna, history and culture, and led by the children! It helps children develop their authentic voice, thinking and behaviour awareness and teaches the importance of healthy minds and bodies to become the Kaitiaki of their planet.
The Tuesday and Wednesday sessions are designed for our Young Explorers and cater for 4 – 11 years, the children are based at 188 Tongue Farm Road, Matakana and have the unique opportunity to explore the grounds which include, grape vines, open paddocks, a stream and natural play space.
The program focuses on the essential life skills that are developed through the process of learning. The sessions are developed to support each child to courageously inquire, engage and discover a sense of self.
Nature Hub 5 – 11 Years
Thursday | Termly | 9am – 2.30pm
This program is an approach to learning that takes children into the great outdoors whatever the weather to explore their natural environment. The nature-based outdoor learning program focuses on holistic development and growth in children. It operates at Primary School level as regular sessions during the four school terms. Children spend most of the day outside as part of the curriculum to give opportunities to achieve and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Our trained facilitators monitor the children encouraging exploration and discovery and support them to take risks. The activities have been designed to develop self-esteem, imagination, and physical ability as the children are allowed to test their limits in the natural world.
Thursday sessions are Environmental Science, Nature Immersion, Art and Design based catering for 5 – 11 year olds. Children in these sessions spend time in our outdoor space and also explore other outside locations that fit with the topic we are studying. This could involve adventures to ecological trails, beaches, sculpture parks, natural playgrounds, creeks and forest / bush areas.
Children are innate scientists and love to experience the sights, scents, sounds, and textures of the outdoors. Nature provides countless opportunities for discovery, creativity, problem-solving, and STEAM education. Interacting with natural environments allows children to learn by doing and experimenting with ideas. At Wildly Curious we foster these ideas and turn them into sessions that the children learn from and develop their unique creativity through Sustainability, Environmental Science, Art and Nature based learning experiences.
We offer unique full day programs where children experience exploring, learning, observing, discovering and creating whilst being outdoors. The sessions are both child and teacher led, focusing on learning through Sustainability, Environmental Science, Art and Outdoor Educational activities.
“If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it”.
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Holiday Program
The Wildly Curious holiday program is held at our outdoor centre in Matakana; a special place with beautiful paddocks, grapevines, creeks, ponds and a natural play space! The focus is on being creative and having fun, while learning from and through nature. Leave your children in our experienced, professional care, to have the ultimate adventure!
Children aged 4 -12 will have a great time exploring and learning from the bush with their siblings and new friends, getting to know some of Aotearoa’s native fauna and flora, building bush shelters, playing outside, creating artworks using tools from nature, cooking, drama and learning about exploring while hunting for treasure.
HOLIDAY DATES:
17th, 18th, 19th, 20th December 2024
17th – 18th December These sessions will be based at our outdoor learning centre on Tongue Farm road and will involve; exploring outside, treasure hunting, art, craft, using hand tools, playing in the creek, making friends, being curious and having fun!
19th – 20th December These sessions will be based at the home of Jo Raymonds on Rosemount Road, and will involve; exploring the forest, Christmas arts, craft and baking, drama and performance, making friends, being curious and having fun!
21st, 22nd, 23rd January 2025
These sessions are based at the home of Wildly Curious and will involve children playing and exploring outside, using natural materials to create art, playing in the creek, building huts, using hand tools, taking care of the animals, making friends, being curious and having fun!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD
Daily exposure to nature increases children’s ability to focus and enhances cognitive abilities. (Wells 2000)
Our Wildly Curious Fans Speak!
“Clara’s Little Forager’s classes are not to be missed, her passion for creativity and attention to detail is incredible.
All classes are original and immaculately organised for each individual child, an absolutely wonderful program that nurtures all ages and imaginations.
It is a pleasure to watch the children so focused and how fantastic to have no mess to clean up at home!” S.Whitehead
“All the activities Clara had organised for the day were related to the Butterfly theme, which the children thought was magical. The crafting and games kept the children really engaged and also involved the parents too. All the children were so proud of their beautiful creations. Our birthday girls played with their masks daily for weeks afterwards!” G.Wills
