The Butterfly House at
Virginia Theological Seminary

This year, we continued to nurture and expand our Nature Explore Classroom, keeping it a vibrant and meaningful part of our daily program. We’ve added a small green house and planted several new trees that not only add beauty and shade but also create new opportunities for exploration and discovery. The addition of tires and other natural materials has encouraged climbing, balancing, and imaginative play, allowing children to build confidence and physical coordination while engaging with the environment in creative ways.

Our staff and administration have worked together to maintain and enhance the space through regular clean-up and small improvement projects. The children take great pride in helping to care for their outdoor classroom. Families have expressed how much they value this space, often noting how their children talk about and look forward to outdoor time each day.

Looking ahead, we hope to continue growing our garden areas and adding more natural loose parts to inspire hands-on learning and exploration. Our Outdoor Classroom continues to be a place of joy, connection, and learning for children, families, and staff alike.

Learn more about this classroom on their certification page!