since 2017

NATURE KIDS CONNECT 


Homeschool Nature Co-Op in Utah

- WHO ARE WE? -

We're homeschool families in Utah that meet weekly in various parks in Salt Lake County and Utah County to deliberately combat Nature Deficit Disorder as a result of our overdependence on digital devices.

Thanks to the popularity of our program, we have expanded into multiple locations throughout the valley. Our various groups include adventurers of all ages, from newborn babies to grown-ups, who gather weekly rain or shine during the school year to explore the great outdoors and to learn about our place in the natural world.

- OUR PHILOSOPHY & MISSION -

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Our group philosophy is based on the ideas taught in Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature by Jon Young, Ellen Haas, and Evan McGown.​

At the heart of our program are the 13 Core Routines, which are learning habits that help us learn nature's ways. We use the Core Routines to help us expand our edges.

Edges are invisible boundaries of comfort zones, awareness, knowledge, and experience. As a group, we stive to find our edges and use curiosity as a tool to gently guide us into the unknown.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is three fold:

- Increase in our knowledge about nature through the Core Routines

- Make meaningful connections with other participants within the group

- Expanding our edges of comfort zones, awareness, knowledge, and experience.

- WHAT ARE CORE ROUTINES? -

"The Core Routines of Nature Connection are things people do to learn nature's ways. They aren't lessons. They are learning habits."

​~ Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature p.35

Learn More

- TESTIMONIALS -

I love being a part of NKC. I've learned so much about nature. I now see more animals and notice more things about nature in every day life. My kids notice things as well. They are learning so much. It's been a lot of fun. We've built so many friendships. I love this group!

Becky Baird

Our family loves attending NKC every week. We have loved the challenges the children had to overcome, whether it is the cold, rainy or hot weather, or the challenges they had during their lessons. They have learned to be more observant of their surroundings and more engaged with learning new things. Also, we love the connections we have made with the wonderful families that attend. We always look forward to Friday!

Sarah Haslam

- LOCATIONS -

HAWKS

Weekly meetups in Central Salt Lake Valley on Friday afternoons.

Maximum enrollment of 50 people (kids/adults).

Families must have at least one child aged 8+.


To learn more or to join the waitlist for the Hawks, click on the button below.

OWLS

Weekly meetups in Provo/Orem area on Fridays.

Maximum enrollment of 50 people (kids/adults).

Families must have at least one child aged 8+.

To learn more or to register for the Owls, click on the button below.

COYOTES

The Coyotes and the 11+ are essentially the same group split by age. Doing it this way allows for the younger children to learn the Core Routine and the 11+ kids to venture into more challenging activities. 



Weekly meetups on Fridays from 10:30am to 2:30pm with a monthly park rotation between wild parks in Salt Lake County and a hike/wander in the same vicinity as the 11+ group on the last week of the month.

Maximum enrollment of 50 kids.

Families must have at least one child aged 8+.

Each family will have the opportunity to lead a core routine and an activity several times throughout the year. This cooperative style of learning will be organized under the direction of the admins.



To learn more or to join the waitlist for the Coyotes, click on the button below.

HIKERS 11+

The Coyotes and the Hikers 11+ are essentially the same group split by age. Doing it this way allows for the younger children to learn the Core Routine and the Hikers 11+ kids to venture into more challenging activities. 



Weekly hiking group at various trails on Fridays from 10:30am to 2:30pm.*

Must be at least 11+.

Drop off option only available to those whose parent and siblings are attending the Coyote group.**

If the parent will be staying with younger siblings in the Coyote group, arrangements must be made ahead of time with another parent who will be attending the Hikers 11+ group to be the supervising guardian of the child who will be dropped off.

Each family will have the opportunity to lead a core routine and an activity several times throughout the year. This cooperative style of learning will be organized under the direction of the admins.


*This is our first year implementing the Hikers 11+ group. It will be full of trial and error. If you're not the type of person who has a tolerance for changes and being uncomfortable with the unknown, this is not a good year to join us.

**If it's your first time joining us, you must be at least 13 years-old before you can be dropped off with the Hikers 11+ group while the parent stays with the younger siblings in the Coyote Group. The Coyotes will have activities that are appropriate for the 11 & 12 year-olds in such instances.



To learn more or to join the waitlist for the Hikers 11+, click on the button below.

LOOKING FOR OUR SUMMER CAMP?

The perfect solution to you telling your kids to go outside and play.

We promise to send your kids home dirty and happy!

Click on the flyer above to register.

For kids ages 8 to 14.

Join us for a summer of fun!