To grow 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 fewest 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 it for granted. Studies show that children today 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 era and the creation of Earth Day. In 1990, the National Environmental Education Act solidified 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, private schools, 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
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 pointed out, 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 choose to practice their climbing skills, play instruments, or pick from a multitude of other options. 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. “People instinctively know that nature is a way to reconnect to ourselves and others, but we forget it. We need reminders,” Upchurch said.
She 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 receive individual attention for 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.”
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. Today, the school has spread to 42 counties as a week-long wilderness experience. School districts and conservation organizations work together 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. 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,” 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 got 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.
“Students have come to us with behavioral issues who were struggling in the classroom,” said Gorsh. “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.”
School of the Wild plans to keep expanding its weeklong experience across Iowa. To do that, every school district needs access to a 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 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. Founder Kate Courtney saw a gap in nature-based education after having her own children.
Like Creekside Forest School, Muddy Boots 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 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.
Courtney said 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 Outdoors
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. Gorsh summarized it best: “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.”
Reprinted with permission from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.