Mission
Our mission is to cultivate experiences in the natural world that foster curiosity, well-being and stewardship.
Values
Developing an understanding of community and each individual’s role within it, is at the heart of our programs. Children continue to grasp the interconnection of all life, from the natural world to human communities to an individual’s family and one’s self. This approach helps each child gain a sense of stewardship for all communities around them.
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” —John Muir
Through nature-immersion, the outdoors serves as a classroom where children can learn, challenge themselves and grow at their own pace. We encourage critical thinking, celebrate creativity and promote individual learning as well as the group process.
With talented teachers and nature’s rhythms as guides, the well-being of each child is nurtured and a solid sense of belonging is fostered as they explore, create and take risks in a healthy way.
Balance is a learned trait. We learn when to act and when to be still, when to speak up and when to listen, and we learn this through observation and kind, loving feedback. Awareness about these things grows when we practice mindfulness. In a mindful moment we notice ourselves, our behaviors and our surroundings. Longleaf educators model this value of balance and practice mindfulness with children each day.