116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Preschoolers, teachers embrace the elements at nature-based school
Creekside Forest School at Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids starts its third year teaching kids
Sep. 5, 2023 6:00 am
CEDAR RAPIDS — In the late summer heat, preschool students at Creekside Forest School — a nature-based program — find the shade, drink a lot of water and are monitored closely by their teachers.
Each day, the students at Creekside Forest School at Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids spend up to three hours a day learning outside in the heat, rain or snow.
As soon as it looks like a student or teacher needs a break from the elements, they can head inside to cool down, warm up or dry off.
This is the third school year of the 200-acre outdoor classroom for 3- and 4-year olds. The center’s mission is to promote a sustainable future by nurturing individuals through environmental education, providing leadership in land protection and restoration and encouraging responsible interaction with nature.
The program is at capacity this year, with 14 students in the morning session and another 14 students in the afternoon session of the half-day preschool program.
Marcy Fratzke, who is serving as interim director of education for the preschool this year, said the job is like “hitting the jackpot.”
“It matches what I’m passionate about into one perfect position — being outdoors, active play and learning through play, all things I value,” said Fratzke, who began with the program last year. “Preschoolers are my jam. It’s the age group I love. They are such a joy to work with.”
Kelli Kennon-Lane, who has been the director of education for Indian Creek Nature Center and was integral in opening Creekside Forest School, resigned Sept. 1, to pursue another job.
Kennon-Lane is continuing to send her son to Creekside Forest School, which she said in a resignation message is “the best preschool in the state.”
There is no traditional playground at Creekside Forest School. In their outdoor classroom called Hazelnut Hideaway, familiar elements of a traditional classroom like an outdoor calming corner with books and coloring, building blocks, a “mud kitchen,” and a dirt slide.
“We really encourage imaginative play,” Fratzke said. “We pull in a lot of elements like climbing and sliding, but we do them in nature.”
For example, Fratzke said the students learn how to safely climb up fallen trees by keeping three points of contact between themselves and the tree. They climb hills with the help of rope and dig in the sand for a “natural sensory experience.”
“We don’t need toys because we have nature all around us,” she said.
Fratzke said there’s a “learning curve” to the program, especially for families and kids who aren’t used to getting dirty.
Fratzke said they show the kids it’s OK to get a little dirty by modeling sitting in the water and the mud.
A teacher communicates to families every evening how the kids should be dressed to prepare for the next day. For example, if the teachers plan to have the kids walk through prairie grass, they ask the kids to wear long pants to protect their legs.
The school also offers high-quality outdoor gear for families to use that’s included in the cost of tuition.
The school has rubber rain boots, rain jackets, sun hats, snow pants, winter jackets, snow boots and winter hats and gloves.
“It makes it so much more accessible and sustainable,” Fratzke said. “At this age, they grow out of things so quickly. It can be hard to invest in high-quality gear.”
Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com
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