Nature Learning Online
Nature Learning Online is a distance learning semester for kids. Online and Outdoors.
Our mission is to ensure a clean and healthy planet for many generations to come. We believe this can be achieved by fostering child-nature relationships through positive, quality outdoor experiences.
Why Choose Nature Learning for Your Child?
At Renovated Primitive, we have long championed nature connection as the answer to happier humans and a healthier planet. With current events challenging tradition schooling methods and necessitating more time at home, we believe we can use this as an opportunity to encourage families to discover the wonders of their backyard or public green space. We are confident that the joys of nature will help bring optimism and grounding to this ever changing climate.
Few virtual learning programs integrate outdoor activity into lesson plans, so a Nature Learning semester is an ideal way supplement exposure to sunshine and free play. Our Nature Learning semester has been designed to promote a safe learning environment for children that include hours of entertainment requiring minimal adult supervision. We have also curated a curriculum to minimize screen time (to less than 30 minutes per week), while facilitating quality time outside.
From personal and professional experience a like, the staff at Renovated Primitive understand nature to be a proven tool for stress reduction and attention restoration. If your child has previously found difficulty focusing with virtual schooling, soft fascination techniques of outdoor-experiential learning can help re-stimulate their curiosity, and the program's flexibility will allow for learning that fits your scheduling needs .
Additionally, if as a parent you have always placed importance in nature connection but struggle to make the time to foster immersive experiences, a semester of Nature Learning is an ideal way for your child to live out these values. By the end of our 14 week curriculum, students will be able to lead their families and friends on a fishing excursion, camping trip and outdoor adventures.
How It Works
Duration: 14 Week Curriculum beginning the week of September 14, 2020
Instructional Method: 1 - 2 prerecorded video lessons released each week. Videos will range from 10 - 15 minutes in length. Corresponding activities and exercises provided in customized activity book. Once released videos can be watched anytime, according to your scheduling needs.
Staff Support: Mike and Braden will host optional live Q&A sessions every Monday night from 6 - 7 pm CST through a private Zoom call to review the previous week's content. Further questions, comments and support can be exchanged through email (naturelearningonline@gmail.com) any time throughout the course duration, with the expectation of a 48 hour response time.
Content Delivery: The activity book along with a supply kit will be mailed out the week of September 7, 2020 through USPS. An electronic copy of the activity book will also be sent by email the same week. Videos will be posted on a private YouTube channel every Monday morning beginning September 14. Videos links will be shared with all course participants on Monday mornings via a private Facebook page as well as email. Live weekly sessions will be held Monday evenings on Zoom; attendance is optional.
Location: The curriculum is designed to take place in your own backyard. For students without access to a private green space, a safe public park or local green space is encouraged.
Target Age Group: Designed for ages 8 - 14, with minimal adult supervision.
*Adult supervision highly recommended for fire making activities.
Activity Guidebook Samples
Core Objectives
Promote Curiosity to expand imagination and awareness. With hands-on activities designed for full sensory engagement, your child will deepen their connection with self and the world around them. Dive into the wonders of bird language, the magic of fire by friction and the creative immersion of building nature collages.
Facilitate Independent Learning for more competent and confident youth. We believe autonomous outdoor play is critical to the childhood experience and have developed a curriculum requiring minimal adult supervision. Our aim is to inspire hours of time outside with only 15 - 30 minutes of weekly online instruction.
Encourage Health & Wellness. Time outside and direct exposure to Vitamin D boost immune functions. The soft fascinations of the natural world counteract focused screen time by reducing stress and restoring attention. Full-body exercises serve to strengthen muscles and bones, while full-sensory activities enhance memory.
Build a Like-minded Community that loves nature and cares about our planet. Renovated Primitive's Nature Learning semester will safely connect student's through social platforms, such as Facebook, facilitated and monitored by our staff.
Built from 10 Years of Best Practices
Our Team
Braden DeLonay
Co-founderBraden is an educated survivalist, an experienced teacher, and a certified Xchange guide. Braden is comfortable facilitating progress for others in the woods, or in the conference room. He has been outside with groups of all ages sharing skills in sustainability, nature connection, and team building since 2009. Sharing how we can most effectively leverage our relationship to nature to make us all our best has been his passion for his entire adult life.
Mike DiMauro
Co-founderAfter earning an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Business, Mike went on to pursue a six year residential mentoring program with one of the top wilderness skills schools in the country to undergo intense and unique survival, nature connection, leadership, and facilitation training. Since 2009 he has helped thousands of youth and adults enrich their lives through outdoor experiences and continues to hone his craft of what it means to be a Nature Mentor. He lives a simple life, off-the-grid, and splits his time between two communities: a permaculture farm in the Austin, TX area and a wilderness skills school in the woods of Maine.