Our Beliefs
• We believe in the therapeutic benefits of playing and learning outside in nature.
• We believe nature helps to build the Crucial C’s.
Mission
It is our mission to create a space where children and adults can connect to animals and nature while fostering the Crucial C’s.
NATURE
• The well-being of children and nature are inextricably linked.
• The nature connection is critical for children’s healthy development.
• Kids today are more removed from nature than ever before.
Animals
Research shows that animals help children develop greater empathy, higher self-esteem, and increased participation in social and physical activities
Our Beliefs
• We believe in the therapeutic benefits of playing and learning outside in nature.
• We believe nature helps to build the Crucial C’s.
MISSION
It is our mission to create a space where children and adults can connect to animals and nature while fostering the Crucial C’s.
Nature
• The well-being of children and nature are inextricably linked.
• The nature connection is critical for children’s healthy development.
• Kids today are more removed from nature than ever before.
Animals
Research shows that animals help children develop greater empathy, higher self-esteem, and increased participation in social and physical activities
CHILDREN HELPED
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ACRES
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ACTIVITIES
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SPECIES OF ANIMALS
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TEAM
AMY HUTCHINSON
Director
Amy has provided therapy to children and adults for over 10 years. She incorporates animals whenever she can, knowing their therapeutic contribution cannot be matched. Amy understands that the ups and downs of life will always happen but she is here to help both children and adults strengthen a foundation to ride out those bumpy times. Amy focuses on helping everyone strengthen the Crucial C’s. Courage, Capable, Connect and Count.
Brooke Thompson
Counselor
Brooke has over 8 years of experience working with children of all ages. Through childcare and counseling, Brooke has come to understand the value of creating a safe space for kids. She sees the inherent opportunities in allowing them the chance to open up and grow their self-esteem through exploration and connection to others. Brooke does a wonderful job when it comes to helping kids who are learning to recognize their own value. With Brooke, kids know they count.
Therapeutic Benefits
Better for the Brain and Body
The Outdoor Connection experience is developed based on the therapeutic value of nature and outdoor play and its ability to inspire children to think and play in new and creative ways. The benefits extend far beyond the duration of our programs—children take away valuable skills that can last a lifetime.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Gross Motor Development
Children challenge their coordination and their vestibular system, also known as their “balance sense,” by moving in all directions while climbing trees, up a steep rocky wall, rolling down grassy hills, and running from one place to the next. They develop strength and endurance by hiking up hills and carrying heavy rocks, bricks, and sticks.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Attention
Children improve their attention span when they play outside on a daily basis. Increased movement and activity help to stimulate and ignite the brain for sustained attention to task.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Visual Skill
Frequent movement opportunities support a healthy vestibular (balance) sense. This strong vestibular sense supports all six eye muscles for reading, writing, and accurate eye-hand coordination skills.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Auditory Processing
Playing outdoors provides ample opportunities for children to naturally practice auditory discrimination skills, such as listening to the differences between a Robin call and a Chickadee call, or locating a friend calling their name from the other end of the trail. Can they distinguish between the frogs and the crickets? Let’s find out.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Fine Motor Development
Grabbing hold of heavy and large objects like tree limbs helps develop strong grasping patterns in little hands. This type of activity helps your child’s hands to get ready to do finer and more delicate work such as holding a pencil. Tying knots to secure a fort or whittling sticks to use for campfire cooking will help improve fine motor skills.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Social Skills
Lots of unrestricted outdoor playtime leads to creative and social adventures amongst children. They will create their own stories in nature, build structures together as a group, and continue to engage their wild imagination alongside their peers.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Creativity
Children are often inspired to think independently and openly when their environments are carefully crafted to allow ample time, space, and opportunity to design, construct, experiment, problem solve, and use their imaginations. Let’s just see what they can come up with!
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Emotional Stability
Getting plenty of movement affects the body’s ability to regulate emotions and activity level. Research proposes that spending time in nature also lowers cortisol levels (stress hormones) in the brain, promoting calmness and improved mood.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Conflict Resolution
When children are encouraged to build, create and play together, they will also be faced with differing viewpoints and ideas that challenge them to problem solve as a group and resolve potential conflicts. Adults are on hand to facilitate but kids will have unique opportunities to resolve conflict together with their peers.
Better for the Brain and Body
The Outdoor Connection experience is developed based on the therapeutic value of nature and outdoor play and its ability to inspire children to think and play in new and creative ways. The benefits extend far beyond the duration of our programs—children take away valuable skills that can last a lifetime.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Gross Motor Development
challenge their coordination and their vestibular system, also known as their “balance sense,” by moving in all directions while climbing trees, up a steep rocky wall, rolling down grassy hills, and running from one place to the next. They develop strength and endurance by hiking up hills and carrying heavy rocks, bricks, and sticks.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Attention
Children improve their attention span when they play outside on a daily basis. Increased movement and activity help to stimulate and ignite the brain for sustained attention to task.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Visual Skill
Frequent movement opportunities support a healthy vestibular (balance) sense. This strong vestibular sense supports all six eye muscles for reading, writing, and accurate eye-hand coordination skills.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Auditory Processing
Playing outdoors provides ample opportunities for children to naturally practice auditory discrimination skills, such as listening to the differences between a Robin call and a Chickadee call, or locating a friend calling their name from the other end of the trail. Can they distinguish between the frogs and the crickets? Let’s find out.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Fine Motor Development
Grabbing hold of heavy and large objects like tree limbs helps develop strong grasping patterns in little hands. This type of activity helps your child’s hands to get ready to do finer and more delicate work such as holding a pencil. Tying knots to secure a fort or whittling sticks to use for campfire cooking will help improve fine motor skills.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Social Skills
Lots of unrestricted outdoor playtime leads to creative and social adventures amongst children. They will create their own stories in nature, build structures together as a group, and continue to engage their wild imagination alongside their peers.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Creativity
Children are often inspired to think independently and openly when their environments are carefully crafted to allow ample time, space, and opportunity to design, construct, experiment, problem solve, and use their imaginations. Let’s just see what they can come up with!
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Emotional Stability
Getting plenty of movement affects the body’s ability to regulate emotions and activity level. Research proposes that spending time in nature also lowers cortisol levels (stress hormones) in the brain, promoting calmness and improved mood.
The Effects of Outdoor Play on Conflict Resolution
When children are encouraged to build, create and play together, they will also be faced with differing viewpoints and ideas that challenge them to problem solve as a group and resolve potential conflicts. Adults are on hand to facilitate but kids will have unique opportunities to resolve conflict together with their peers.