The classes, winter hikes and summer programs invite children to use their youthful energy to enjoy the outdoors. Seedlings will practice kindness towards all living beings, develop confidence by testing self-imposed limits, and work individually and cooperatively.
Education and Play are at the heart of everything we do.
Toggle to explore our classes and summer programs.
THE SPRING 2023 LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUBMISSIONS
YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL WITH THE LOTTERY RESULTS THE WEEK OF JANUARY 30TH
To receive up to date information, sign up for the Avalon Nature Preserve email list: https://avalonnaturepreserve.org
Class fee for all sessions: $50 (nonrefundable)
BACKPACK BABY
Thursdays: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Age: Parents/Caregivers with babies
(Birth to non-walking)
A 1 hour class for parents-caregivers of babies who are not yet walking. Strap on your baby and hike through trails as we sing, and take in the sights, smells and sounds of Avalon.
Class Dates
March 23
March 30
April 20
April 27
May 4
May 18
June 8
THE LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
TENDERFOOT TODDLERS
Wednesdays: 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Age: 15 months to 2.8 years at the start of program
Specially designed for the new or seasoned walker, we will explore Avalon in small segments concentrating on rocks, leaves, dirt and more! This is a parent, caregiver, grandparent/child class.
Class Dates:
March 8
March 22
April 12
April 19
May 10
May 24
June 7
June 14
THE LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
STICKS STONES AND STORIES: MONDAYS A.M. CLASS
Mondays: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Age: 3-4 years old along with a parent/guardian
Let’s look and listen to learn about our surroundings at Avalon while we walk, run and laugh our way through the fields. Stories and a creative project in the barn too!
Class Dates:
March 6
March 20
April 17
April 24
May 8
May 22
June 5
June 12
THE LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
STICKS STONES AND STORIES:
TUESDAYS P.M. CLASS 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Age: 3-4 years old along with a parent/guardian
Let’s look and listen to learn about our surroundings at Avalon while we walk, run and laugh our way through the fields. Stories and a creative project in the barn too!
Class Dates:
March 14
March 28
April 11
April 25
May 16
May 30
June 6
June 13
THE LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
NATURAL PATTERNS FOR KINDERGARTNERS
Mondays: 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Age: For kindergartners only
This cozy group designed with the kindergartner in mind, will include hikes, stories and related projects. We will explore the beauty of Avalon together and seek out the hidden patterns of nature.
Class dates:
March 6
March 20
April 17
April 24
May 8
May 22
June 5
June 12
THE LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
NATURAL PATTERNS FOR GRADES 1-2
Tuesdays: 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Age: Grades 1-2 only
Observe your surroundings to decipher nature’s hidden beauty. Make some new friends and become a nature detective while on our hikes.
Class dates:
March 14
March 28
April 11
April 25
May 16
May 30
June 6
June 13
THE LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
NATURAL PATTERNS FOR GRADES 3-4
Wednesdays: 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Age: Grades 3-4 only
Observe your surroundings to decipher nature’s hidden beauty. Make some new friends and become a nature detective while on our hikes.
Class dates:
March 8
March 22
April 12
April 26
May 10
May 24
June 14
THE LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
Inspirations for Grades 5-6
Thursdays: 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Age: Grades 5-6 only
Let’s hit the trails and explore Avalon. We’ll build, create and learn about the importance of nature in our world.
Class dates:
March 16
March 30
April 13
April 27
May 11
May 25
June 15
THE LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
Grade 7
Wednesdays: 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Age: Grade 7, 12-13 year olds
Building our adventurers a bridge to our fantastic Nature Initiative program at age 13! Miss Sue joins forces with members of the local environmental community to engage young adults in meaningful hands-on experiential learning. These learning sessions will be supplemented by time spent hiking and applying newly learned skills on the trails at Avalon. Participants will also have the opportunity to work alongside current Nature Initiative members during a select number of volunteer projects.
Class dates:
March 15
March 29
April 19
May 3
May 17
June 7
THE LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
SEEDLINGS SUMMERTIME 2023
The lottery for the Summertime programs will be held in May 2023.
To receive up to date information, sign up for the Avalon Nature Preserve email list: https://avalonnaturepreserve.org
AVALON ADVENTURERS
Group size: 8-10
Age: Children entering Grades 4 through 6th
Cost: $50 per child
Monday through Thursday from 10am-1:00pm.
For the future environmentalists. We’ll head out into the woods, fields and visit the ponds to look more closely at the ecosystems of Avalon with a fun and creative twist. All classes begin and end at the barn.
Session 1
The lottery is closed.
Session 2:
The lottery is closed.
AVALON EXPLORERS
Group size: 8-10
Age: Children entering K through grade 3
Cost: $50 per child
Monday through Thursday from 10am-1:00pm.
Specially tailored for the younger visitors to Avalon. We’ll spend our days outside learning about the creatures at Avalon while making some awesome crafts and hiking! All classes begin and end at the barn.
Session 1:
The Lottery is closed.
Session 2:
The lottery is closed
Please contact Miss Sue with any questions.
ContactBlog: Seedlings Shared
An Outdoor Educator's Perspective
THE BIG DREAM
February 3, 2023
February 1, 2023 Dreams come to us during our sleep. They can be exciting, terrifying, confusing or intriguing. But did […]
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SWEET BABIES
January 23, 2023
January 20, 2023 A brand-new life! Such a small beautiful bundle brings smiles even to the most hardened. The soft […]
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FLASHLIGHTS AND GLOVES
November 30, 2022
November 30, 2022 Oh, how I love the crispness of the Fall weather. Darkness arrives early for our classes now. […]
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MEET MISS SUE
An avid lover of the outdoors, Sue Wahlert is a certified teacher with over 30 years of experience. She has spearheaded and taught our Seedlings programs for over nine years. Sue’s BA in psychology and MS Ed. in special education lay the foundation for her work with children in preschools, elementary schools, museums and park settings.
The core of Miss Sue’s teaching philosophy revolves around the importance of play, compassion for others and community among children. These elements create a safe and nurturing setting for learning and making new friends.
Memories of her childhood days and nights spent outside playing continue to energize Miss Sue. She enjoys backpacking, camping, hiking, gardening, canoeing, singing made up songs, and sitting by a campfire.
Email Miss SueTake a look at what we've been up to!
Select a thumbnail to view more photos.
Backpack Baby
Tenderfoot Toddlers
Sticks, Stones and Stories: AM Class
Sticks, Stones and Stories: PM Class
Natural Patterns: Kindergartners
Natural Patterns: Grades 1-2
Natural Patterns: Grades 3-4
Grade 5 & 6
Grade 7
