The Other Hearth
Nature Days
Santa Ynez Valley & Santa Maria
building confidence, creativity, critical thinking and reasoning skills
A weekly outdoor learning program where children explore natural science and ecology while building practical outdoor and handcraft skills through curiosity-driven, place-based experiences.
Every class includes nature exploration, seasonal studies, crafting, free play, and circle time.
A weekly outdoor learning program where children explore natural science and ecology while building practical outdoor and handcraft skills through curiosity-driven, place-based experiences.
Children ages 3–12 investigate the natural world through
observation, hands-on activities, storytelling, group conversation, free play, and collaborative exploration.
Guides thoughtfully prompt questions, encourage experimentation, and support children as they work through ideas together, building confidence, creativity, and critical thinking along the way.
The landscape itself becomes the canvas for learning,
offering the space for discovery, problem solving, and imaginative play.
Along the way, we weave in practical wildcraft, handcraft, outdoor and heritage skills, alongside traditional outdoor games that build dexterity, patience, and plenty of good, playful fun.
Questions that arise from the children (and interests shared by families) often shape the path of our investigations, allowing learning to grow naturally from the world around us.
Nature Days is designed as a mixed-age learning community,
where younger and older children learn alongside one another through shared discovery and mentorship.
While we gather together at the same locations and share many group moments, the group shifts into age and skill-based cohorts for certain activities - generally grouped as ages 3–6 and ages 7–10. Ages 11 - 12 enter an apprenticeship role, receiving age-appropriate responsibility and teaching opportunities to deepen their own understanding of the world.
This structure allows each child to experience the richness of mixed-age learning while also having opportunities to shine within their own developmental stage.
While this is a drop-off program, we have designed it with the whole family in mind. We work alongside parents and children to create a unique space to thrive.
Each gathering follows a familiar rhythm that allows children to explore deeply while still feeling grounded and supported throughout the day.
Nature Days is a place where children are given the time, space, and guidance to explore deeply, build practical skills, and grow in confidence through meaningful experiences in the natural world.
Learning in Action
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Children explore Nature Days through observation, experimentation, craft, skill-building, and cooperative play.
Each season brings new questions, discoveries, and hands-on projects shaped by the landscape around us.
Nature Specialist Badges
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Children who enjoy diving deeper into specific topics may choose to work toward Nature Rangers pins.
These optional challenges invite students to explore areas such as:
• rock and soil studies
• plant identification
• animal tracking
• water systems
• natural materials craft
• outdoor skills
"What makes our badge program truly special is that it’s not about competition — it’s about mastery through experience. Kids aren’t told what to memorize. Instead, they explore, try, fail, and try again. They work alongside their peers, with older [students] often helping younger ones problem-solve, and in the process, grow their own sense of leadership, patience, and responsibility." - Nature Rangers founder, Tracy Thomas
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Locations & Program Days
Each location becomes a temporary outdoor classroom
where children learn directly from the landscape around them.
Nature Days meets in both the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria area, allowing families across the region to participate in weekly outdoor learning.
Our gathering places rotate approximately every four weeks and repeat each semester/season, giving children the opportunity to become familiar with each landscape while also exploring a variety of local ecosystems and how the seasons affect each.
During each four-week cycle we typically meet at the same location, with occasional small adjustments to the exact drop-off or pick-up area within the site.
Santa Ynez Valley Region
SYV Nature Days
meets on:
Wednesdays and Fridays
ages 3 - 12
Families may enroll for one day per week or attend both days if space allows.
Locations rotate between county parks, preserves, and natural areas throughout the valley. Gathering places are selected for their safety, accessibility, and opportunities for meaningful exploration.
Santa Maria Region
Santa Maria Nature Days
meets on:
Thursdays
ages 4 - 10
Locations rotate between county parks and natural areas in the Santa Maria region, offering children the chance to explore a range of landscapes and habitats.
Gathering places are selected for their safety, accessibility, and opportunities for meaningful exploration.
Flexible Attendance
Families enrolled in one location may occasionally attend another program day for make-up days when space is available. Families may also add additional days if openings exist.
This flexibility allows families to maintain consistency while accommodating travel, weather, or scheduling conflicts.
Practical Details
Ages: 3–12 years in SYV ; 4-10 years in SM
Program Hours: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Locations: Santa Ynez Valley & Santa Maria area parks and preserves
Group Size: Small groups with a 6:1 student-to-guide ratio
Children bring:
• packed lunch and snack in a backpack
• water bottle
• weather-appropriate clothing and shoes
Additional seasonal gear guidance is shared with enrolled families.
Nature Days is a drop-off program. Families are an important part of the program and welcomed with the children as their child acclimates.
By providing two opportunities for classes and families to meet before our first full day, we strive to create an easy transition built on mutual trust between family, child, and guides.
Seasons & Enrollment
Nature Days operates in two primary seasons
that follow the general rhythm of the Santa Barbara County school calendar while allowing for a longer winter break.
Families may enroll for
the full year, a single season, or monthly participation when space allows.
Fall Season
Mid-September – Mid-December
The year begins with opportunities for families and children to meet one another and begin building the community that supports our learning together.
Early September includes a short orientation gathering (children are encouraged to attend) followed by an accessible half-day where families are invited to join us outdoors. These early gatherings allow guides, students, and families to become familiar with one another while establishing a supportive and welcoming environment. Our full day program begins mid-September.
Breaks include:
• Thanksgiving Week
Winter / Spring Season
Mid-January – May
The second half of the year allows children to observe the landscape through winter and into spring, when new life emerges. Shifting weather and changing daylight invite deeper exploration of the natural cycles that shape the world around us.
Breaks include:
• Spring Break
Winter Break
Nature Days pauses for an extended winter break between mid-December and mid-January.
This time allows families to rest, celebrate the season, and return refreshed for the winter and spring months of exploration.
Full Year Enrollment
Fall + Winter/Spring
Experience the full benefit of deepening friendships and immersive learning.
$2016
per year
Reflects a 10% pay-in-full discount.
Full-year enrollment receives priority placement and ensures a child’s spot for the entire program year.
Additional option for a parent to enroll in our co-op work-trade for an additional 10% discount (must be able to be an assistant for a full day once every 5 wks)
Seasonal Enrollment
Fall or Winter/Spring
$280
per month
Seasonal enrollment commits to the duration of the season and receives second priority in enrollment
Monthly Enrollment
Available when space allows.
$300
per month
Monthly enrollment begins at the start of the next four-week location cycle.
Drop-In Days
$80
per day
Drop-in attendance is available only when space allows and after enrolled students have been accommodated.
Attendance Options
Families may enroll in:
• one day per week
• multiple days per week (if space allows. Up to 2x per wk when enrolled in a home-based charter)
Additional program days are billed at the same monthly rate per day.
Small Groups & Mentorship
Nature Days maintains a 6:1 student-to-guide ratio to support safety, meaningful mentorship, and individualized attention.
Our Guides
Nature Days is led by experienced guides who support children through thoughtful questions, careful observation, and encouragement of curiosity, as well as supporting children as they build friendships and navigate social experiences together.
Guides balance safety, mentorship, and exploration while helping children build confidence, cooperation, and problem-solving skills in the outdoors. Thoughtful risk assessment and responsible tool use are both modeled by our guides and woven into the learning experience
Registration
Enrollment opens seasonally and spaces are limited in order to maintain our student-to-guide ratio.
Priority is given to:
-
Full-year enrollment
-
Seasonal enrollment
-
Monthly enrollment
-
Drop-in requests
Questions? E-mail us!
Nature Days takes place in a variety of weather conditions, allowing children to experience seasonal changes firsthand.
Specific guidance for weather-appropriate clothing is provided to families.