Children Need Nature!
Our Philosophy
All the evidence is out there to suggest that children need access to nature to explore, learn and grow. This program offers a safe and guided curriculum that combines the best of outdoor philosophies to provide children with the tools to explore the world around them. It provides a growth mindset learning model that follows appropriate learning standards for 3-6 year-olds and allows them to: Foster a love for learning; Have confidence in themselves and their abilities; Grow a strong learning foundation for school preparedness; Be a steward for nature and change in the world; Discover emotions, teamwork, and responsibility.
Our Mission
Little Explorers is an early education outreach of PlanIt Landscape Perspectives, LLC at zero profit to continue and cultivate a child’s love for nature throughout the seasons through timely nature based play and instruction while developing a love for learning through a half day program.
* By Sept 1 to follow district age requirements for school, potty trained is a must.
(No more than 14 per class maximum)
**For registration issues, please contact Andrea B. at 630-544-5934. For program questions please email littleexplorers@planit.land or amanda@planit.land, or call 630-200-1485.
Class Units
All classes are broken up into Four Seasonal Units with 3-5 Sessions per unit allowing flexibility and accessibility to any session. Please opt in to each particular session when registering. Schedule will follow district wide schedule for appropriate holidays/breaks.​ Registration for all sessions will open soon!
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Fall Explorers: 8 weeks Seasonal Units
Beginning of Sessions- Week of September 2
End of Session- Week of October 21
Changing Season Explorers: 7 weeks Seasonal Units
Beginning of Sessions- Week of October 28
End of Session- Week of December 16th
Winter Explorers: 9 weeks Seasonal Units
Beginning of Sessions- Week of January 6
End of Session- Week of March 3
Spring Explorers: 8 weeks
Beginning of Sessions- Week of March 10
End of Session May 8
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Meet The Team
Two highly qualified early education focused staff will be present at each class along with daily volunteers as needed. The staff is trained in First Aid and CPR as well as Nature Based Early Education Programming. Additionally, through the year, our staff will have continuing education days to continue to bring the best to this program.
Biographies of staff coming soon!
Location
Camp Greene Wood, Odakota Lodge, 3131 71st St. Naperville, 60540
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Camp Greene Wood is a beautiful 137 acre site with hiking trails, creeks, forests, prairies, wetlands, and more. It offers a safe and wonderful playground for exploration and learning. Daily explorations with the trained instructors in nature- based education will share this wonderful space and experience the natural environments, habitats, and wildlife together.
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More than adequate and accessible indoor space at Odakota lodge is available during inclement weather days or weather emergencies. The indoor and outdoor spaces will provide accessibility for rich learning, art, science, exploration, and creativity.
Entry will be through gate 4 of the camp across from Castaldo Park. Drop off/pick up will be at Odakota Lodge Easily accessible from 355 or Rt 53 and adequate parking onsite. Camp Greene Wood is a beautiful 100 plus acre site with hiking trails, creeks, forests, prairies, wetlands, and more. It offers a safe and wonderful playground for exploration and learning. More than adequate and accessible indoor space at Odakota lodge is available during inclement weather days or weather emergencies.
Tuition
Tuition will be paid in full at registration. Tuition will cover instructors' salary, insurances, site rental, and some community pooling costs for supplies. This is a zero profit program, so all resources will benefit participants.
*Multiple child and full program registration discounts- inquire at littleexplorers@planit.land
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Fall Explorers: 8 Weeks
Tuesday/Thursday Class 9-12:00 (3s) - $960.00
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Class 9-12:00 (4s-5s) - $1,440.00
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Afternoon Class 1-3:30pm (4s-6s) - $1,200.00
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Changing Seasons Explorers: 7 Weeks
Tuesday/Thursday Class 9-12:00 (3s) - $840.00
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Class 9-12:00 (4s-5s) - $1,260.00
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Afternoon Class 1-3:30pm (4s-6s) - $1050.00
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Winter Explorers: 9 Weeks
Tuesday/Thursday Class 9-12:00 (3s) - $1080.00
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Class 9-12:00 (4s-5s) - $1,620.00
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Afternoon Class 1-3:30pm (4s-6s) - $1,350.00
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Spring Explorers: 8 Weeks
Tuesday/Thursday Class 9-12:00 (3s) - $960.00
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Class 9-12:00 (4s-5s) - $1,440.00
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Afternoon Class 1-3:30pm (4s-6s) - $1,200.00
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Once registration is complete your application will be confirmed and your deposit required to secure your spot for the session. Your Participant Information and Parent Handbook will be sent out via email to confirm and secure your spot for each session.
Additional Information
Tours
Come and see what all the excitement is about:
Tours are held the 1st Tuesday of the month at 9:30-11. Space is limited so please contact (email or phone) for your appointment slot.
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Daily Schedule
Routines are important for this age so we strive to keep to a structured schedule to provide comfort, predictability, and expression within the children. However, we do know that spontaneity is important at this age too and curiosity can get the best of us. We utilize these magical moments as flexible stops in our daily schedule to encourage curiosity and excitement in learning.
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Arrival
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Stations (exploration hands on stations- free choice stations- sensory bins, games, music, dramatic play, fort building, arts, journaling, science, tinkering, etc. )
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Group Activity (Activity- creating or making something as a group, song, dance, craft, food, play, experiment, etc. )
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Exploration (Hiking, exploring, discovering, seasonal observation, engaging digging, water, constructive or dramatic play)
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Circle Time/Snack (Activity, conversations, songs, poems, dance, story)
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Snack (Not intended to be a meal- just a fruit or vegetable in reusable containers. Please send a water bottle along- sealable as these come along on hikes too)
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Community clean up (Children will have special tasks and encouraged to take ownership of their space and clean up)
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Departure
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Bathrooms
Bathrooms are available at all locations but make sure that your child has recently used the bathroom prior to the start of class to avoid initial delays to the start of the day.
Weather
In case of inclement weather, options will be provided to ensure the safety and wellbeing of each child. We will follow district and county advisories to determine full closures. These will be announced on Storypark prior to session start.
Absences
If you need to miss a session for any reason please contact the instructor prior to the start of class. No refunds will be given for absent days.
Behavior
This is a family environment and respect for all staff, caregivers, and children are required. Failure to do so will involve removal from the program. Persistent behavioral problems will be discussed with parent/caregiver group and staff to determine a community course of action.
Communication
Communication is vital for success. Access to phone, email, and social platform (Story Park) will be utilize to communicate about children’s progress, care, images, site updates, and weather.
* Explorer directory will be provided at the start of class to coordinate and foster relationships.
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Contact
For registration issues, please contact Andrea B. at 630-544-5934. For program questions and tours please email littleexplorers@planit.land or amanda@planit.land, or call 630-200-1485.
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