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.
Seedlings Classes Spring 2022
Lottery Registration Dates for Spring 2022 classes :
Baby Backpack, Tenderfoot Toddlers, Sticks Stones and Stories
Lottery dates Monday, January 17 – 20
Kindergarten, Grade 1 & 2, Grade 3 & 4
Lottery dates Tuesday, January 18 – 21
Grades 5 & 6 and Grade 7
Lottery dates Wednesday, January 19 – 22
To register for the lottery: click on the REGISTER button for the class you are interested in. Fill out the form in full. You will not receive a response that it was received until I record the entry.
All entrants will be notified of results by email no later than Tuesday, January 25th.
To receive up to date information sign up for the Avalon Nature Preserve email list: https://avalonnaturepreserve.org
Each season classes, of 6-8 children, will be formed by random selections from a lottery.
All classes are held outside rain or shine.
Class fee for all sessions: $45 (nonrefundable)
Thank you for your interest!
BACKPACK BABY
Thursdays: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
March 17, 31
April 14, 28
May 12, 26
June 2, 9
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.
THE LOTTERY IS CLOSED
TENDERFOOT TODDLERS
Wednesdays: 10:00–11:00 a.m.
March 9, 23
April 6, 27
May 11, 25
June 8
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.
THE LOTTERY IS CLOSED
STICKS STONES AND STORIES: MONDAYS A.M. CLASS
Mondays: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
March 7, 21
April 4, 25
May 9, 23
June 6, 13
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!
THE LOTTERY IS CLOSED
STICKS STONES AND STORIES:
TUESDAYS P.M. CLASS 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
March 15, 29
April 12, 26
May 17, 31
June 7, 14
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!
THE LOTTERY IS CLOSED
NATURAL PATTERNS FOR KINDERGARTNERS
Mondays: 4:30–5:45 p.m.
March 7, 21
April 4, 25
May 9, 23
June 6, 13
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.
REGISTER
NATURAL PATTERNS FOR GRADES 1-2
Tuesdays: 4:30 – 5:45 p.m.
March 15, 29
April 12, 26
May 17, 31
June 7, 14
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.
REGISTER
NATURAL PATTERNS FOR GRADES 3-4
Wednesdays: 4:30 – 5:45 p.m.
March 9, 23
April 6, 27
May 11, 25
June 8, 22
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.
REGISTER
Inspirations for Grades 5-6
Thursdays: 4:30–5:45 p.m.
March. 17, 24
April 7, 28
May 19
June 2, 9
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.
REGISTER
Grade 7
Tuesdays: 4:30-5:45 p.m
March 16, 30
April 13
May 18
June 1, 15
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.
REGISTER
SUMMERTIME FUN 2021 STYLE!
LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED FOR SUMMER 2021
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENTRIES!!!
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. Children and adults participating in the program must wear masks.
Session 1 July 19 – 22
LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
Session 2 August 9-12.
LOTTERY IS NOW 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. Children and adults participating in the program must wear masks.
Session 1 July 26-29.
LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
Session 2 August 16-19.
LOTTERY IS NOW CLOSED
Please contact Miss Sue with any questions.
ContactBlog: Seedlings Shared
An Outdoor Educator's Perspective
“WHY ISN’T ANYONE PLAYING WITH ME?”
December 8, 2021
December 8, 2021 Many of you know I am a huge fan of play. It is the mothership of learning to […]
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45 MINUTES…
November 13, 2021
November 13, 2021 “Okay three minutes left!” I yell. The response is always, “Can’t we stay longer? I want to stay […]
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TUG OF WAR
October 26, 2021
October 26, 2021 Believe it or not there are struggles in both the natural world and in nature class! I began […]
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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 eight 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
