The Nature Explore Classroom at
Wildberries at The Berry Patch
The Wildberry program was a dream for many years by Molly Dykstra and Jenny Miller at the West Berry Patch Location. Aimee Tanner and Gigi deGrood leaped at the opportunity to create a space that encouraged exploration, creativity, and play within nature. Our program serves 14 families a year, and we are outdoors in all seasons for the school day.
We practice everything an a-typical class does, but we do it outdoors. Our favorite space along the trail is the Book Nook, where our resident fairy, Fern, resides with her friends. She has become an intricate part of the success behind our program. Teaching us about the environment, sustainability, and empathy. Our students correspond with her throughout the year, and complete tasks for her weekly.
Our Wildberry Trail is unique in that we travel to each spot as a group, but provide our students with the opportunities to explore their own activities within each space. At times, we do divide our group to tackle different skills at a more age-appropriate level. However, we find our mixed age program
(3.5 – 5 years) has created an environment where it is okay to learn from mistakes, learn from each other, and help our friends be successful too.
“What I see from pictures and hear every day completely exceeds all my expectations. The teachers helped instill a love of nature that I know will always stay with my child. They have unlocked that magical part of early learning that is truly a lifelong gift.” -Wildberry Parent
We are located in the middle of Edina, Minnesota – an area that most would not consider natural.
We are proud of the space we have curated to meet the needs of children and their natural curiosity, thanks to Meetinghouse Church for working with us to build our vision. Scott Lorenz helped shape the Wildberry Trail into all of the spaces that exist today by taking down invasive trees, and using them to create mulch for our trail. With their help, support, and guidance, our Wildberry Trail was born.
“The growing research on the positive impacts of outdoor play and learning made it an easy yes to sign our daughter up for the program, but the creativity of the teachers truly make it a magical experience for the kids.” – Wildberry Parent
Aimee Tanner and Gigi deGrood have shared their love for STEM, Art, and Literacy with their students through meaningful and applicable lessons, using the trail as their third teacher. The Wildberry students are proud of their trail, and want to share it with the rest of the school. We spread our love for the environment through encourage the entire school to help us compost, create repurposed art, and enjoy everything our beautiful location has to offer.
