Iowa's Wildest Classroom
By Emily Martin on November 8, 2024 in Blog
Growing up in Iowa is to be intertwined with nature. We are raised in tune with the seasons — hyper-aware of when the leaves change, corn grows and our parents demand we shovel the driveway for the umpteenth time.
Despite having among the least acres of publicly available parks, Iowans recreate outdoors at a higher rate than most of the country. Our enjoyment of the outdoors runs deep, forming a key piece of our state’s identity.
Yet we can’t take for granted this trend will continue forever. Studies show that children spend half as much time outdoors as they did 20 years ago. Forging connections with nature from a young age has been shown to provide numerous benefits, from improved mental and physical well-being to increased problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
That’s why some Iowans have turned to nature-based education, a structured education system that seeks to deepen children’s connection with nature while teaching them essential skills.
Historical Roots
Environmental education owes its roots to the philosophers, scientists and educators of the mid-1700s to early 1900s who voiced the importance of learning from nature. Sciences like forestry and ecology were born out of this movement, which was only strengthened after the Dust Bowl and the creation of Earth Day. In 1990, U.S. Congress passed the National Environmental Education Act, solidifying nature’s place in how we shape our children’s futures.
In Iowa, nature-focused education can be traced back to at least the early 1900s when conservationists like Ada Hayden and Ding Darling advocated for a deeper understanding of the world around us. Today, there are a growing number of schools, programs and camps geared specifically toward getting young Iowans outdoors. Whether through Iowa’s county conservation system, a private school or programs tied into public schools, there are more intentional ways for children to get outside than ever before. Here are just a few examples from across the state.
Creekside Forest School at the Indian Creek Nature Center
Children at Creekside Forest School partake in various nature-based activities such as insect identification and natural arts and crafts. Photos provided by the Indian Creek Nature Center
Creekside Forest School officially opened its doors in 2021 as a nature-based preschool at the Indian Creek Nature Center just outside of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
As lead teacher Nicole Upchurch states, routine is key to children’s development. Even as the weather changes, students can expect to follow the same structure each day.
Parents are encouraged to walk their children to the outdoor classroom, checking in with them along the way. From there, children get to choose to practice their climbing skills, play instruments or a multitude of other options at activity centers. After the centers, teachers lead activities designed around the students’ curiosities. By the end of the day, students explore a trail with their teacher to see how the world has changed since their last hike.
“An ideal learning environment sparks questions,” said Upchurch. “Nature is a co-teacher that challenges our perceptions. An outdoor classroom is key to developing empathy, flexibility, adaptability and problem-solving.”
Creekside Forest School continues to see an uptick in interest as parents and grandparents increasingly understand the role nature plays in developing well-rounded adults.
“Humans are the most connected we’ve ever been, but we’re still disconnected. People instinctively know that nature is a way to reconnect to ourselves and others, but we forget it. We need reminders,” Upchurch said.
That’s exactly what Creekside Forest School offers to its students. Upchurch described leading students through “do nothing moments,” a pause in the day to calm down and notice the world. For children whose brains are growing leaps and bounds every day, reminders to slow down and look up at the clouds and trees are key to their healthy development.
“Nature school sets the foundation to learn later. The right side of our brain develops before the left side. Encouraging play and curiosity helps with that development so kids can go on to learn later in life,” said Upchurch.
Like all nature-based schools, the magic of Creekside Forest School lies in the students’ curiosities. Each day they get to bring their energy and receive individual attention to their questions. They face their fears, build confidence, work on their communication skills, form bonds and quietly contemplate, all against the backdrop of Iowa’s gentle nature and changing seasons.
“Iowa’s nature creates kids who are really good at asking questions,” said Upchurch. “My hope is that my students grow into adults who value community and see value in themselves and others and the environment. Even if we aren’t working directly in nature, being responsible and mindful to one another is incredibly important.”
School of the Wild
Children at School of the Wild have fun hiking through the prairie. Photos provided by School of the Wild
School of the Wild was founded by University of Iowa in 1991 as a series of “wild camps” in the Iowa City area. From 1998 to 2000, grants from the U.S. EPA Environmental Education Program and the Iowa DNR REAP Conservation Education Program funded the piloting of School of the Wild for all 17 Iowa City Community School District elementary schools. The school has spread to 42 counties across Iowa as a week-long wilderness experience for over 6,000 students annually across 100 schools. School districts and conservation organizations work together through School of the Wild to teach students about Iowa’s ecosystems and outdoor recreation.
“We assume many kids have experienced outdoor recreation, but that’s not true,” said Jay Gorsh, director of School of the Wild. “School of the Wild is giving children that experience so they grow up knowing all the ways they can enjoy the outdoors.”
Because School of the Wild works directly with school districts to tailor the program to their needs, more Iowa students are being reached. They’re eliminating barriers like cost, time and transportation that prevent some children from connecting with nature. School of the Wild has reached over 6,000 students in the last 33 years.
“School of the Wild needs to be in every school district in the state. Every kid needs a connection to the wildness of Iowa. Iowa can be a place where we all appreciate the natural world and value opportunities to be in the outdoors while balancing the needs of humans,” said Gorsh.
The benefits of spending a week learning outdoors are apparent not only to Gorsh, but also to participants and their parents who’ve been through the program in the last three decades. One father reported back that his son became obsessed with kayaking, so they had to get the whole family out on the water in kayaks together.
Gorsh recalled a recent outing with a school to Hitchcock Nature Center, which is in the Loess Hills and offers hilly hikes. “A group of boys hiking just in front of me were chatting away. One of them said, ‘Man, I really like this hiking thing, but I gotta get in shape so I can do more of this!’ It was incredible to see a student fall in love with nature and set a personal goal to keep coming back.”
Like Creekside Forest School, School of the Wild creates a space where children can face their fears or insecurities with guidance and encouragement to keep trying. Many students come in with a fear of insects or getting lost. Being in nature helps them build confidence that lasts a lifetime.
This benefit extends to students who have additional challenges to work through. “Students have come to us with behavioral issues who were struggling in the classroom. We give students the opportunity to succeed. I’ve watched students who were nonverbal interact with nature by touching grass and trees. You can see the changes happening within them,” shared Gorsh.
School of the Wild plans to keep expanding its week-long experience across Iowa. To do that, every school district needs access to a close-to-home wild space where students can challenge themselves and quietly reflect on the changes they’re seeing within themselves and in the world around them.
“We need to protect the space we do have so people have more options and outlets to get outdoors. Some parts of Iowa only have one county park. We need to create spaces for everyone in Iowa,” Gorsh said.
Muddy Boots
Muddy Boots Forest School provides opportunities for its students to grow in confidence and independence through curiosity, exploration and risky play. Photos provided by Muddy Boots Forest School.
Muddy Boots Forest School started in 2018 as a series of camps for toddlers and families to access outdoor educational opportunities in Des Moines, Iowa. Kate Courtney, founder of Muddy Boots, saw a gap in nature-based education after having her own children. The Muddy Boots Forest School is the first fully outdoor forest school in Des Moines. They offer mixed-aged groups between 2 years to 3rd graders.
Like Creekside Forest School, Muddy Boots Forest School encourages students to explore their curiosities and questions. Courtney follows a predictable routine each day, a key component of stability and learning in children.
“Our goal isn’t to have all the students sitting and listening the whole day. We want to get them moving around on the trail or with crafts or games. We structure our days around themes,” said Courtney.
Muddy Boots Forest School provides experiences their students typically don’t have in their neighborhoods. Most of their classes happen at state or county parks around central Iowa, introducing a wildness not found on a typical playground. These parks have longer, uneven trails and places to explore that are important for what’s known as “risky play,” according to Courtney. Risky play is a guided way for children to explore their limits and learn spatial awareness, balance, coordination and problem-solving skills. Hiking on uneven trails or climbing a few feet up on a log are examples of how children need to push their boundaries to grow.
Courtney shared that students learning from a nature-based education curriculum show advanced skills in areas like communication and constructive interactions. Because the children are allowed to explore and play in the outdoors, they must learn how to interact and respect each other.
“In one class, one of my students went from shy to one of the most confident students we had. They became the encourager of the other kids. They took off and grew so much confidence through the program,” Courtney said.
Thinking about the future of her growing school, Courtney shared, “We have great resources in our public lands and natural resources. I hope children coming through Muddy Boots gain a sense of responsibility to spread their love for nature and to be an advocate for nature.”
A Bright Future
One common theme emerged from Upchurch, Gorsh, and Courtney: a bright outlook for the future of Iowa. In a state more altered than most, our recreational areas are vestiges where children can play and explore their big questions. Nature is a fundamental part of who we are as humans and Iowans, and giving children those spaces is essential to ensuring the future of our state. Gorsh summarized it best when he said, “You can’t know to care about the river if you’ve never had an experience with a river. We’re helping kids to learn what to care about in their worlds.”