We are full! Please contact us with questions or to be added to a waitlist.
Serving ages 3.5 – 5.5
Maple Grove is an early childhood program that takes place solely outdoors. Licensed teacher Heidi Hoskins’ curriculum is rooted in nature and emerges out of the children’s natural curiosity and wonder as they freely play and explore their environment. Through connection with each other, and the earth, children’s experience blossoms into a holistic learning experience.
Full-time and part-time options available | Monday-Friday, 9:00am-1:00pm
Learn more on our Maple Grove Page.
To inquire about enrollment and to apply, please click the button below. By filling out the form you are not enrolling your child. Your application will be reviewed and you will be notified within a week of your application as to whether or not your child has been accepted.
Please contact us with questions.
Are your older kids ready to take on more responsibility for themselves while they stretch their desire for a little more freedom? Are they ready to learn survival skills and heighten their sense of awareness? Do you want them to get off of their screens and have some real-world adventures? Then it’s time to register for the Wilderness Explorers Club.
Youth will engage in one club meeting and one full day adventure each month from September through December. The meetings and adventures will take place in natural areas around the county and within a roughly one-hour drive of McMinnville. These excursions will provide participants opportunities to explore and practice using skills and knowledge shared during the previous adventures and club meeting. Meetings will take place at the beginning or end of the full day adventures. During the meetings youth will make decisions about activities or projects they wish to engage in as a group and will be introduced to awareness and wilderness survival skills.
Ages: 11-15 years
Full day Club Adventures & Meetings: Saturdays 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (usually)
The Outdoor Science Explorers Program is a great way for kids to spend some time outside after school, exploring, playing and learning in nature. Kids will engage in activities and games that strengthen their observational skills, build self reliance and social skills, and increase their knowledge of local plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Drop-off begins 15 minutes before listed start time; please pick-up within 15 minutes of listed end time.
Ages: 5-10
We are still taking registrations for Fall 2021.
Click on the links below to register:
Mondays at Miller Woods, Sep 13th – Oct 25th 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Wednesdays at Wennerberg, Sep 15th – Oct 27th 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Fridays at Maple Grove Nature School, Sep 17th – Oct 22nd 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Oh the sites and smells of fall … Cool mornings giving way to warm afternoons, the rains return and with them mushrooms, mosses, slugs, and salamanders! Yep, it’s generally wet and muddy, but kids have a great time searching for and learning about all of the animals that are returning to the area as well as the plants that are fattening themselves up before the winter to come. As always we will spend time playing games, exploring, and making discoveries.
Ages: 5-10 years
Times: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Click here to register for any of the dates below
October 8th – Statewide Teacher In-Service; Location: either Planet to People outside of Carlton or Metsker County Park, McMinnville
October 28th & 29th – McMinnville School District Parent/Teacher Conferences; Location: Miller Woods
November 12th – McMinnville Grading Day; Location: Miller Woods
Spring Break Adventure Camp is two days of exploring the early spring forest and fields. Yep, it’s generally wet and muddy, but kids have a
great time searching for and learning about all of the animals that are returning to the area as well as the plants that are just waking up after a cold winter. We will spend a little time learning about, searching for and collecting some of the edible plants that grow around Miller Woods. As always we will spend time playing games, exploring, and making discoveries.
Ages: 5-10 years | 2022 Dates will be announced November 30th
This program is perfect for the young teen who loves the camp experience and wants to share that love with younger kids. Jr Naturalists will participate in a camp-like training day where they will learn about local ecology, play and lead camp games, and build leadership skills. Their training and mentoring will continue as they help OEA staff run a week of summer camp for kids ages 5-10.
Participants need to submit an application and be available for the training day.
Ages: 12-15
2022 training dates and summer camp information will be announced November 30th.
Each day of summer camp is structured to encourage curiosity, creative thinking, and exploration and is filled with a mix of free exploration and guided activities.
Each week of camp has a different theme. While we will plan activities centered around the theme there will still be plenty of time playing games and exploring.
NEW for 2021: Expanded participant ages! Most of our summer camps have been split into three cohorts:
Summer 2022 dates will be announced November 30th.
Are you looking for an outdoor experience customized to meet the needs of your group? Whether it is an adult group of friends looking to learn a little more about the natural world or a group of kids of any age who want a little guided outdoor time we have naturalist educators ready to create a nature enrichment opportunity for you.
Group sizes are currently capped at ten participants and masks are required.
Contact us to design your nature experience!
Outdoor Education Adventures provides educational summer camps, field trip opportunities, spring break programs, family adventures, and outdoor school activities to the McMinnville, Oregon & surrounding Yamhill County areas.