Who We Are

Our mission is to increase the prevalence of outdoor learning opportunities for youth around the country.

We do this by providing on-demand trainings, program development resources, and ongoing support to those working to start, strengthen, or sustain high-quality outdoor learning experiences for youth in their community.

We work with

  • Public, private, charter, or otherwise, we work with conventional schools at all grade levels to incorporate outdoor programming within the curriculum.

    We collaborate with administrators, teachers, families, and stakeholders to harness the power of the local outdoor space to improve academic, social-emotional, and physical outcomes in students.

  • As the organization that runs one of the largest forest schools in the country, we have comprehensive experience in starting, operating, and growing a nature-based business.

    We collaborate with forest and nature schools around the country to help these small businesses be the best they can be, and continue providing their community with an amazing opportunity for outdoor learning.

  • We love working with childcare providers at all levels - from large centers to small in-home businesses.

    Our goal is to help these professionals optimize the quality of their outdoor programming so that every child can get the start they need.

  • We support families in incorporating the outdoors into their parenting/caregiving approach.

    We provide fun and immersive at-home activities and lessons that support families in getting outside together.

Our kids spend more time indoors than any generation in history.

Studies show that consistent time in nature is critical for children from infancy through the teenage years (and beyond!).

Outdoor exposure uniquely benefits cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development; so much so that access to green space has been identified as a powerful predictor of lifetime success - from academic achievement to the ability to stay calm under stress.

The majority of a child’s day is spent inside the home, at daycare, and in school. Therefore, we specifically work to increase outdoor time in these capacities.

Join us in opening doors for children to experience a healthier and more productive childhood experience.

Meet the Team

  • Erica Hermsen

    FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Taylor Payne

    OPERATIONS DIRETOR

  • Andrea Richey

    DEVELOPMENT & MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

  • Ilyse Sakamoto