WILDlife
What is the WILDlife? It’s more than outdoor education. It’s an immersive experience that encourages kids’ curiosity and wonder for the natural world. During their time outside they learn about local ecology, wild foraging, try wild foraged treats, explore Pennsylvania’s history, make nature art, and so much more. Our WILDlife program is designed to connect children to the natural world through hands-on, child-led experiences. It’s founded on the principles of Wonder, Imagination, Liberty, and Discovery.
Each day starts with a Naturalist-led theme such as hiking safety, wildfires, Native American history, insects, etc. From there, the kids lead the way. We may go for a hike and observe vernal pools full of amphibian eggs, complete a water flow experiment while discussing water erosion, read a nature story, spend time in the creek searching for macroinvertebrates, learn how to build an emergency shelter, go foraging for wild edibles while discussing foraging safety and ethics, or play a nature game.
Some of the biggest highlights from 2024:
Tackled and completed the Pink Trail
Built an entire “village” along the banks of Middle Creek
Met guest speakers including a local author and historian and a professional tracker and outdoorsman
Planted a mini-forest of native trees donated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Went fishing
Foraged for wild edibles and had a “tea party” with their gathered items
Spent numerous hours exploring the creek and playing outside
Built friendships and made memories that will last for years
What can they expect for 2025:
Participate in Trout in the Classroom and participate in our 2025 Adams County Trout Release Day
More guest speakers
Participate in Strawberry Hill's Passport to Nature program
Welcome to the WILDlife
Homeschooling, Unschooling, or Distance-Learning… no matter your path, learning should be authentic, memorable, and most of all, FUN!
Our WILDlife program is designed to connect children, ages 5-12, to the natural world through hands-on, child-led experiences. It’s founded on the principles of Wonder, Imagination, Liberty, and Discovery. WILDlife kids will go on hikes, engage in citizen science through on-trail investigations, learn basic survival skills, create nature art, and spend their entire class time outdoors (with the exception of inclement weather). Each class will be led by knowledgeable and engaging Naturalists in small class sizes.
WILDlife also incorporates multiple areas of learning including math, science, social studies (natural and Pennsylvania history), literature, creative arts, and physical development. Classes also provide documentation to aide in homeschool portfolio reviews and will offer one make-up class in the event of cancellation.
Our 10-week spring program will run from March 5th-May 7th, 2025 from 10am-2pm.
Registration for spring is now open. Please click here to register. Sibling discount available.
Please note this is a drop-off program