20 Jan Discover the Wonders of Nature This Spring with Legacy HRC’s Nature Co-Op!

Legacy Homeschool Resource Center is excited to partner with the Wilderness Station at Barfield Park again this spring to offer hands-on, immersive learning experiences through the Nature Co-Op. This program blends science, art, and outdoor exploration to inspire curiosity and confidence in your child’s educational journey.

What to Expect at Legacy’s Nature Co-Op:

Our Nature Co-Op meets once a month on Fridays, February through May, offering unique, interactive lessons for two age groups (K-4th Grade and 5th-8th Grade). Students will rotate through engaging stations with similar-age peers, ensuring they connect with others and thrive in a supportive learning environment.

Spring 2025 Schedule:

• February 28th: Blending the Science and Beauty of Nature (art lessons, sun/solar printing, and fossil rubbing activities)
• March 21st: Murphree Springs Wetlands Day (Wetlands talk, waterfowl search, and watershed activities)
• April 11th: Outdoor Cooking and Migratory Birds
• May 2nd (6:30-8:30 PM): Nocturnal Naturalist (night hike using echolocation, bonfire, and s’mores!)

Nature Co-Op Program Highlights:

• Classes run from 9:30 AM to 11:45 AM, except for the evening May session.
• Families can enjoy lunch and additional playtime after class, supervised by Legacy staff, at the pavilion until 1 PM.
• Parents can stay and engage, with no fee required.

Parent Testimonial:

“As a parent new to homeschooling an active and curious kindergartener with diagnosed ADHD, I’d been hesitant to sign up for a co-op or tutorial out of fear that my child wouldn’t be welcomed as warmly as a neurotypical child. After familiarizing myself with Legacy Homeschool Resource Center leadership, we decided to give LHRC’s Nature Co-Op a try. What a delight! Not only did my child enjoy every meeting, but they were welcomed with a bright smile from LHRC Founder and Program Leader Jennifer Burtram. My child wasn’t just a number but cared for and called by name. My heart and mind were at rest knowing LHRC staff and Wilderness Station staff understood my child’s needs, and each of them made efforts to encourage his curious nature.

The content of the Nature Co-Op lessons are relevant to my child as they’re focused on local flora and fauna. Many of the same plants and animals studied in class live right on our farm, too! Each of the topics were taught in a variety of manners leading to a better understanding of the topic for a wide range of student learning styles. There were presentations often accompanied by hands-on activities, nature hikes throughout the carefully planned hiking trails within the park, and a craft to complement the topic of the day.

My child’s only criticism of the class was that they wanted to go every day instead of twice a month! As a former Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources teacher, I loved the experience as well. I’m impressed with the thorough, age-appropriate lessons, activities, and crafts as well as the leaders’ patience and humor that is often needed when working with children of any age or ability!

Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention the ease at which the various age groups melded together during Co-Op meetings. My child, like many children, sees themself as older than they really are. As such, we were often around some of the middle school students. My child took up with a couple of older students and loved seeing them at each meeting. I appreciate their Christian influence and encouragement extended to my child more than they may ever know. This is a huge blessing of homeschooling… interacting with students of all ages, and my child was able to do that and more through Nature Co-Op with Legacy Homeschool Resource Center.”

Join us this spring for an unforgettable adventure!

• $50 Registration Fee (due at registration to secure your spot)
• $95 Program Fee (payable at registration or by February 1, 2025)

This is your opportunity to connect with other families, explore the outdoors, and enrich your child’s homeschool experience. Don’t miss out – spots are filling quickly!

Register Now: https://my.cheddarup.com/me/legacyhrc

We look forward to growing, learning, and exploring with your family this spring at the Wilderness Station!