At Ark Valley, we see grass stains and muddy knees as signs of joyful learning.
Nature at Ark Valley
We believe nature is not just something we visit — it is a teacher, a companion, and an endless source of wonder. Our classrooms flow naturally between indoor and outdoor spaces, and we bring nature inside whenever possible.
Everyday Encounters with Nature
Nature Walks: Children explore our local environment, observing textures, sounds, and discoveries along the way. Chipeta Park in Poncha Springs is a favorite spot, where children connect with trees, rocks, and open spaces.
Gardening & Our Kindness Garden: From planting seeds to caring for flowers and herbs, gardening teaches patience, responsibility, and the joy of nurturing life. Our Kindness Garden is a shared project where children learn that care for the earth mirrors care for one another.
Provocations with Nature: Loose parts from the outdoors — pinecones, stones, sticks, and leaves — become invitations for children to build, design, and imagine in new ways. These open-ended materials spark creativity and problem-solving.
Nature as Texture & Peace
Children are encouraged to touch, feel, and experience nature’s many textures — rough bark, soft moss, smooth stones. These sensory explorations help ground them in the present moment and bring peace into their play. Quiet reflection outdoors reminds children that nature offers calm and balance alongside joy and discovery.
Joy in the Mess
We believe childhood should be full of movement, wonder, and freedom — even if it means getting muddy. From dancing in puddles to rolling in the grass, nature invites children to be fully alive in their play.
If your child comes home with clothes stained by dirt, paint, or leaves, it’s a sign of a day well spent — full of discovery, joy, and hands-on learning.
