Clip: In Nature Preschoolers Build Confi...

When we filmed preschoolers navigating the woods in Rock Creek Park for our film, Mother Nature’s Child, we found that what the researchers say is true: rather than bullying, children on an outdoor adventure together tend to support and encourage each other. Building confidence on nature outings? Look at Lucy turn back to survey the challenge she just surmounted (crossing the stream, stepping stone by stepping stone) before she heads up the hill! Children can grow in every way when you take them...

“Docs in the Park” Baltimore...

This is the kind of collaboration we need in every community! We are delighted to report that, once again, Baltimore’s Docs in the Park initiative will be holding an all day event at Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park on Saturday, March 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Docs in the Park is a community-supported health initiative that aims to reconnect children and families to nature and encourage outdoor activity. The initiative features woodland hikes, nature walks, free healthy food along with children’s activities including pogo stick races, jump rope, kickball, rock...

Views of an urban parent...

Here’s a mother whose preschooler participated in Amy Beam’s Beyond the Walls program at the Franklin Montessori School in Washington, DC. We featured Amy’s work in the preschool section of Mother Nature’s Child. This young mother was amazed at the powerful and positive effect of her four year old son’s outdoor time with Amy. His growing interest in the natural world had spread through the entire family — everyone was learning from him! How do you feel about her...

2012 Kroka Vermont Semester...

Every year since we first met (and filmed!) Misha Golfman and the crew from Kroka Expeditions in 2009, we inwardly rejoice to hear that a new group of students have begun their journey north on the Vermont Semester ski and canoe adventure. The group is organized so that every student has a specific job and they switch throughout the trip so everyone gets to learn different skills. One of the jobs we especially appreciate is that of the “scribe” who sends wonderful updates describing the myriad joys and difficulties along the way. Here’s a photo of the...

MNC Inspires Change at Nature Center!...

In late June, the Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center outside St. Louis sponsored a weekend of activities following their screening of Mother Nature’s Child. We were excited to learn that, when the manager of the center originally previewed the film, she and her staff made significant changes in their policies regarding children’s explorations on and off their trails. We hope her response will inspire a new spirit of adventure for nature centers everywhere. Here is what she has to say: “I’ve been managing a nature center for almost 15 years. There...