Spring 2026

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Poet Mary Oliver wrote in her collection of essays Upstream (2016) that “attention is the beginning of devotion."  At WildRoots, we are guided by this sentiment and emphasize child-led time in nature as the way to cultivate this attention.  

When children regularly revisit the same place, playing there throughout the seasons, they are immersed in the cycles of nature within that place.  They observe the subtle changes in the plants, notice the animal signs and wonder about the birds and nighttime visitors, and their play shifts with the offerings each season brings.  In their play, they are giving their attention to this place and its living and non-living inhabitants, and figuring out what it means to be a part of the ecosystem here.  It is because of this deep bond that they will care deeply enough to express their devotion through actions, becoming lifelong stewards of the land.  

This emotional bond with the land is strengthened through play.  Play is where curiosity, observation, immersion in the elements, and a widening of the senses connect them to the rhythms of nature.  Above all, children need time in which these experiences can unfold.  

WildRoots is not just another enrichment class for your child to attend.  We model and advocate returning to an entirely different way of being within the world, one rooted in ancient traditions such as community connection, the art of noticing, and play as the primary mode of learning in childhood.  As adult facilitators and nature mentors, we show the children that learning is a lifelong process filled with wonder, curiosity, and joy.  Often, it’s more about the questions than the answers.

We invite families to join us on this journey, connecting with a community of people who are seeking something different for our children - a childhood and a life more aligned with the pace of nature. We want our children to be rooted in the wild, to care deeply about the natural world, and to know their place within it.  We want to get back in touch with our own inner children, the ones who could lose themselves in play and spend hours outside.  We want to build a community in which to raise our children, where many adults provide care collectively, where we all learn from and support one another along the way.  Strong communities are powerful. 

For each of us, nature is also a source of regulation, resilience, and a feeling of being a part of something greater than ourselves.  Our nervous systems are often overstimulated in the modern world.  We are constantly "connected" virtually yet feel disconnected and lonely.  When we intentionally set aside time to play outside, we offer our children and ourselves the most valuable gift - unhurried time to follow our curiosity and to be present in the moment.