Connecting children to the natural world

We have held this vision for a long time, a place where the children can run wild and free, to connect with earth's natural wonders, and learn from her constant changes and rhythms. We are one with the world, and we find it essential to teach this to our children.

We have studied and witnessed the benefits of unstructured outdoor play, noticing that the exposure to the pheromones and chemicals that the trees and plants emit has boosted our children's immune systems; it keeps them in constant movement, stimulating their brains and strengthening their bodies. Their imaginations soar; they are so outstanding at working together to build mystical scenes and create unique inventions.

Nature reaps benefits on our children's nervous systems, and the forest is a place for children to unwind and slow down from the busy world around them. It gives them the freedom to be who they came here to be, kids.

We see the results of outdoor play and are inspired to offer this education to others. It is creating resilient and independent children learning to trust their innate wisdom, giving them the freedom to solve conflict through experience and discussion, cultivating connections, taking risks, and growing self-confidence in their being.

We are here nurturing a revolution.

As mothers, we want what is best for our children, and we believe we have found the best way to tend to their development and education, and we are ready to make a difference in more families' lives.

Bri Neely

  • Bri is an educator, mentor, writer, nurse, and homeschooling mother of two who is passionate about enriching our children's lives. She has spent the last few years consuming knowledge of subjects involving trauma-informed/inner child healing, conscious parenting, human design, energetics, forest schooling, and all things related to consciously awakening and expanding the mind of self and others.

    She believes that the world is giving us evident teachings that it is time to create new systems that will aid in the success of our future and the generations that follow and is ready to make an impact on children’s lives, teaching them how to be intuned with their bodies, connect with nature, and lead from a place of authenticity.

Julie Helgeson

  • Julie has been drawn to nature from a young age. From exploring creeks and bird-watching to family camping trips and reaping the rewards of gardening alongside her mom and dear neighbor. Her love for the outdoors evolved during her time, achieving a B.A. in Horticulture, and she has since been reinvigorated to new levels after having children of her own. Julie is a homeschooling mom to three nature-loving children, a whole-food recipe developer, a gardener, and a life-long learner. She and her husband, Matt, enjoy getting outside as a family as much as possible. Hiking, fishing, and bird-watching are family favorites!

    While she enjoys sharing her knowledge and appreciation for nature, Julie believes the real magic happens when experiencing the wonders of our natural world through the eyes of a child. Children have the remarkable capacity to connect to nature with ease and enthusiasm. By giving them space to explore and learn about our native ecosystems, she believes that they will learn more about themselves and how they are reflected in nature. The diversity of Minnesota's forests, wetlands, and prairies is the perfect space to learn, grow and inspire each other. By giving children the opportunity to explore these preserved native lands, we are preserving the very core of what makes childhood magical.

    Julie brings passion, an endless curiosity for nature, and an innate love for children. She believes that the most significant work we can do is to invest our time and energy into enriching the lives of all children and therefore is committed to creating child-led, outdoor experiential learning environments that foster creativity, resilience, and inner peace. She has been dreaming of gathering children together in nature for several years and is thrilled to bring this program to life alongside Bri in the Albert Lea community. So get up, gear up, and get out! Let's have some fun this summer!