Nature Schools in the Inland NW – 2021

These education and childcare programs provide play-based, hands-on outdoor learning opportunities and incorporate environmental curriculum topics.

Blessing Farm & Forest Preschool

Spokane’s first urban farm and forest preschool located near the South Perry Neighborhood. This Waldorf-inspired school offers a school-year program for children ages 2 1/2 to 6 as well as summer camps for ages 2 1/2 to 7. Blessingfarmandforest.com

Greenplay Northwest – Farm Schools

Early learning programs for children ages 6 and younger, based on the forest kindergarten model with locations in Spokane (Vinegar Flats Farm School) and southeast King County (Maple Valley and Enumclaw). Summer Nature Camps may be available for summer 2021. Greenplaynw.org

Harvard Park Children’s Learning Center North

Preschool and summer camps for ages 2.5-10 include activities such as science experiments, field trips, cooking projects, water play time, and lots of outdoor playtime. Harvardparkpreschool.com

Into the Forest Outdoor Learning Center

Preschool and day care located east of Spokane, in Veradale, Wash., provides “nature-infused,” play-based, environmental education that includes nature art, outdoor exploration, and “risky play,” according to its website. Intotheforestpreschool.com

Little Woodland Adventures

Forest preschool (ages 2.5-5) located near Dishman Hills Natural Area in Spokane Valley that is all outdoors, year-round. Curriculum includes place-based activities, life skills, and gardening. Littlewoodlandadventures.com

North Wall Schools

Private school for gifted and talented learners, grades K-6, with an Early Childhood program (preschool and infants-toddlers) and summer program. Campus in north Spokane includes different outdoor areas corresponding to age levels for year-round playtime and experiential learning. Features include a Nature Trail, tree fort, zipline, organic garden, climbing wall, and tricycle track. Northwallschools.com

Pioneer School

A K-5th grade accredited, non-profit school for gifted, talented, and highly-capable learners with small classes. Located in northeast Spokane Valley, Pioneer School is dedicated to making school an exciting place where children enjoy learning with a thematic approach that emphasizes student involvement with hands-on activities and topic-related field trips. Experiences include expeditions, outings, and field-trips for camping, biking, hiking, skiing, conservation and science learning, history, and other recreation activities. Pioneerschool.com

[Pioneer School students at the Spokane County Water Resources Center. // Photo: Shallan Knowles.]

Plum Tree School

All-outdoor preschool program (ages 3-6), located in south Spokane, focuses on play-based learning, creative arts, domestic life skills, hands-on nature exploration, and mindfulness. Plumtreeschool.com

Saint George’s School

Located on 120-acres along the Little Spokane River, the campus for this private school (no religious affiliation) is an integral part of the school’s entire K-12 curriculum, providing hands-on experiences related to the sciences, physical education, art, and other courses. An Outdoor Club provides recreation activities and trips for students in grades 8-12. Sgs.org

Two teenage girls paddling a blue canoe and a man paddling a red and yellow kayak on the Little Spokane River at Saint George's School.
Paddling the Little Spokane River at Saint George’s School. // Photo courtesy of Saint George’s School.

Tinkergarten

Instructor-led, with a national network of teachers and child-development experts, this self-guided programming for play-based learning experiences offers free DIY activities online. Tinkergarten.com

Twin Eagles Wilderness School

Monthly program based in Spokane for ages 6-13 and their families (October-May, one Saturday per month). Children enjoy nature-based mentoring and hands-on activities—all outdoors. Twineagles.org

Looking down at Twin Eagles Wilderness School families, children and adults, standing on the dirt gathered in large circle with a smaller circle in the middle. White teepee and trees in the background.
Photo courtesy of Twin Eagles Wilderness School.

Washington Outdoor School

Child-interest led outdoor education with branches based in central Washington, including the cities of Ellensburg and Roslyn. Waoutdoorschool.org

West Valley Outdoor Learning Center

Virtual-based programs with online, live, interactive presentations about wildlife habitat, conservation, birds of prey, water ecosystems, and STEM activities. Check the center’s Facebook page for when in-person events will resume, including family open-houses.

Young boy pointing to a dandelion on the grass by the mouth of a large turtle, with two smaller turtles nearby.
West Valley Outdoor Learning Center // Photo: Amy McCaffree

Windsong School

Located in Spokane on the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute campus, students, preshool-6th grade, enjoy Waldorf-inspired learning and daily outdoor experiences. Spokanewindsongschool.org

[Feature photo by Shallan Knowles // Pioneer School students at the Spokane County Water Resources Center.]

Outdoorsy Summer Camps in the Inland NW – 2021

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