The Nature Explore Classroom at
New Horizon Academy- West Ustick
We love the outdoor classroom at our West Ustick New Horizon Academy! It is nestled under trees and gives a “mountain retreat” type feeling to the teachers and a camping vibe to the children. It is unique because it can be used year-round. The trees offer nearly full shade in the classroom and in Boise, it can get very hot in the summer. This outdoor classroom offers an area where the children are protected from the sun.
This is the second New Horizon Academy in Idaho to embark on an outdoor classroom. It was created with the advice and input of the teachers, managers, and children in mind.
The favorite areas are definitely the messy, mud kitchen, the garden boxes, the digging box, and the climbing tires! The children spend their entire day in the outdoor classroom and that includes all the meals, naps, and activities.
The Area directors husband constructed the music and movement wall as well as the messy, mud kitchen. We are particularly proud of that!
A local tire shop donated tires for the children to roll around, climb on, and do other things that allow their imaginations to run wild! The garden was created by ideas the children had, so they take special care of that too!
