Our outdoor curriculum of nature, earth and survival skills, helps youth develop tangible outdoor skills, through authentic life lessons. Besides learning about the local island environment and natural history, youth work together in small groups according to age. Having fun and following our individual passions are high on our list, it helps youth to be comfortable in the woods and with themselves.

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Our approach is called Nature Connection Mentoring, it offers children bite-size edges to slowly expand their comfort zone, and increase their awareness and hone all their senses. Sassafras is an unplugged environment by choice, we believe that providing a screen-free space is important for the development of wholesome young people.

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Days are filled with nature-based games and activities that kids love to do: exploring woods and streams, build our own campsites, making fires, building forts and fairy houses, move through the forest like wild animals, listen for bird language, whittle and craft, ID plants and our favorite edibles, and our all-time favorite “JTC”. During hot days we often spend a day at the water’s edge. We start every day with gratitude and we end by sharing stories and singing nature songs.

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