A child more than anyone else is a spontaneous observer of nature.
CLICK HERE to register for the Summer Holiday Program
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 Hanscom
Our Programs
Nature Hub 4 – 9 Years
Tuesday & Wednesday | Termly | 9am – 2.30pm
Our Nature hub program takes inspiration from the Forest School philosophies and is also influenced by our 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 – 9 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.
Nature Hub 5 – 12 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.
Being child-led, trained facilitators monitor the children, but encourage 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 which caters for 5 – 12 years, 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.
After School Art Explorers 6 – 12
Tuesday | Termly | 3.15pm – 4.45pm
Active exploration of natural materials enhances children’s appreciation of the natural beauty in our world and deepens their respect for the environment. It can help to foster concepts of sustainability, waste and challenges consumerism. It teaches children that art is not just able to be made on purchased paper and products but art can be created anytime with anything.
At the Wildly Curious after school art sessions the children have the opportunity to work with a variety of natural and also sustainable materials as they create and make their art pieces. Each term has a different focus that influences the children’s art work and creativity.
Each term concludes with an exhibition to showcase the work the children have produced.
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.
Art Explorer Workshops
At the Wildly Curious after school art sessions the children have the opportunity to work with a variety of natural and also sustainable materials as they create and make their art pieces. Each term has a different focus that influences the children’s art work and creativity.
Wildly Curious Nature Hub
We offer unique full day programs where children experience exploring, learning, observing, discovering and creating whilst being outdoors. The sessions are both child and adult 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”.
Source unknown.
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 4.5-13 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, and learning about exploring while hunting for treasure.
HOLIDAY DATES: Summer Holidays 22nd – 25th January 2024
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
