TreeSchool Family Giving Day

The weather may have been rainy, but the vibe was happy as TreeSchool families and staff came together to celebrate “Family Giving Day.” The TreeSchool program is off to an amazing start in its second semester of existence, with its nature-based early childhood enrichment program hosted at the Johnson Nature Center. TreeSchool teacher Leigh Rowe shared, "This event was created as an opportunity to bring families into the TreeSchool learning experience and to inspire students by showing them the many ways you can show and celebrate gratitude. After proposing the idea, we were overjoyed with the responses as many people offered their time, creativity, and generosity.”

The Family Giving Day event began with staff showing families a set of activities that are provided on a typical TreeSchool day. Students had options of painting, writing their names on cut-out paper leaves, using stamps made with natural materials like mushrooms, rolling and playing with dough, and listening to stories shared by their teachers. Family volunteers then guided the event with parent-led activities such as pizza dough making, playing hide and seek, obstacle course games, crafts, bubble-making, and snacks by the fire pit. Most of the students were garbed in their TreeSchool weather-proof, full-body green suits that keep them warm and dry in any season, enabling the program to be outdoors all year long. 

One of the parent coordinators, Laura Robinson, reflected, “The best part about TreeSchool is the teachers, hands down. They are truly special and incredibly dedicated to our kids. Fostering community is a priority, and organizing this party provided a wonderful opportunity for us to come together, celebrate, and express gratitude as a collective.” Robinson, along with parent Margarita Chappell, coordinated the event with support from many other parents who volunteered their time, talents, activities, food, and goody bags. One parent, chef Jesse Almodovar, showed TreeSchool students how to work with dough.  

In this season of giving and gratitude, the Family Giving Day was a heart-warming way to see families and staff come together and share their gratitude for both the wonderful TreeSchool program, and the natural resources and environment at Johnson Nature Center. 

TreeSchool serves students ages 3 - 5, with two programs: a Tuesday/Thursday class, and a Wednesday class, each running from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm. To learn more, visit the TreeSchool website, and to receive Johnson Nature Center newsletters, scroll to the bottom of the TreeSchool website to sign up!