Hurlburt Youth Center

Hurlburt Field Youth Center Nature Explore Classroom serves military youth ages 5-12 in School-Age Care and Youth Programs. The outdoor environment continues to be a highlight of the program.

Improvements to the Nature Explore Classroom include a Zen Garden with sensory plants and solar powered water fountains to engage youth in STEM activities. The water play area was updated with new equipment and a water cascade table so youth can experiment with erosion, dams, and other nature elements.

Visitors are in awe of the different areas and resources available to the youth. The rock wall is used every Friday for youth to use their gross motor skills and challenge themselves to new heights. A favorite area of the youth is the messy materials mud kitchen where they bake chocolate chip cookies with pinecones that have fallen from the local tree species.

A regular training completed by staff is the “What good is a stick” tutorial where staff learn all the ways youth can play, create, and problem solve using a stick. Hurlburt Field will continue to praise the benefits of nature play and outdoor experiences.