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Youth
Programs
Nature's Nest Fall 2022
For Parent & Child (ages 0 to 5)
Sassafras Nature's Nest is a program for parents or caregivers with young children ages 0 to 5, that meets weekly on Fridays for 8 weeks this fall from 9am to noon. Nature's Nest will run concurrent with Forest Kindergarten. Children will learn and play side by side older children from the Forest Kindergarten group, while parents connect and support each other. We all need vitamin “N” (Nature time) to become whole and Sassafras offers unlimited nature time in a structure that can be compared with the setting of a small village.
Youth and caregivers need to be dressed for the weather (on wet days in full rain gear, and on colder days in snow-suits, waterproof boots, wool socks, hats, and gloves). Bring a snack, and water bottle.
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OPEN HOUSE on Fri Sept 23 from 9am-noon
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Dates: Fall Series of 8 Fridays rain or shine:
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Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 2022
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Time: 9am – noon at Sassafras
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Cost: Regular Price is $250 for the Series of 8 Fridays.
We offer payment plans and financial aid, and our Repair Fund covers full tuition for Wampanoag and IBPOC families that choose this option.
Forest Kindergarten Fall 2022
For ages 4, 5 and 6
Ages 7 and up can enroll in our concurrent Homeschool Program
Parents and scientists alike, are beginning to recognize what our ancestors already knew; the vital importance for young children to spend time outdoors, in the wild, and to discover the world through unrestricted play and curiosity. Children’s innate curiosity for nature brings about connection, and learning naturally follows in their own unique rhythm. Sassafras’ nature connection mentors truly listen to their stories and help deepen experiences.
Children will move their bodies, wander and explore, take on responsibilities, practice fine motor skills, do hands-on projects, tell their own stories, make up songs, and play to their heart's content. As Richard Louv’ points out, we need vitamin “N” (Nature time) to become whole and Sassafras offers unlimited nature time in a structure that can be compared with the setting of a small village.
This is an all-outdoors program with seasonal learning and activities that will include learning about and participating in our LandCulture Project, beginning earth and ancestral skills, harvest and outdoor processing, naturalist skills, and natural and Indigenous history. Activities to quiet the mind, to learn how to tap into our inner knowing, and following a natural and relaxed pace of our day together are vital. Children will spend time in a mixed age group, and a portion of the day in smaller groups according to age.
Youth need to be dressed for the weather (on rainy days in full rain gear, on colder days in snow-suits, waterproof boots, wool socks, hats, gloves) for a full day of reconnecting to your wild side! Bring a lunch, snack and water bottle in a day pack.
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OPEN HOUSE on Fri Sept 23 from 9am to noon
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Dates: Fall Series of 8 Fridays rain or shine:
Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 2022 -
Time: 9am – 3pm at Sassafras (half days available)
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Cost: Regular Price is $480 for the Forest Kindergarten Series
We offer payment plans, financial aid, and our Repair Fund covers full tuition for Wôpanâak and IBPOC families that choose this option. -
Try-out: Please schedule a visit with us in advance.
Sassafras Homeschool Fall 2022
For ages 7 and up
This is an all-outdoors program with seasonal learning and activities that will include learning about and participating in our LandCulture Project, beginning earth and ancestral skills, harvest and outdoor processing, naturalist skills, and natural and Indigenous history. Activities to quiet the mind, to learn how to tap into our inner knowing, and following a natural and relaxed pace of our day together are vital. Children will spend time in a mixed age group, and a portion of the day in smaller groups according to age.
Youth need to be dressed for the weather (on rainy days in full rain gear, on colder days in snow-suits, waterproof boots, wool socks, hats, gloves) for a full day of reconnecting to your wild side! Bring a lunch, snack and water bottle in a day pack.
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OPEN HOUSE on Fri Sept 23 from 9am to noon
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Dates: Fall Series of 8 Fridays rain or shine:
Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 2022 -
Time: 9am – 3pm at Sassafras
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Cost: Regular Price is $400 for the Series
We offer payment plans, financial aid, and our Repair Fund covers full tuition for Wôpanâak and BIPOC families that choose this option. -
Try-out: Please schedule a visit with us in advance.
Saturday Youth Fall 2022
For ages 6 - 14
Sassafras’ Saturday Youth program is an all-outdoors program during the school year for ages 6 and up. In this program, we focus on seasonal outdoor learning and activities that will include learning about and participating in our LandCulture Project, earth and ancestral skills, harvest and outdoor processing, naturalist skills, natural and Indigenous history, and activities to quiet the mind to learn how to tap into our inner knowing, all while following a natural and relaxed pace. Children will spend time in a mixed age group, and a portion of the day in smaller groups according to age.
Are you ready for some fantastic outdoor adventures and learning some amazing life skills?
Youth need to be dressed for the weather (on rainy days in full rain gear, on cold days in snow-suits, waterproof boots, wool socks, hats, and gloves) for a full day of reconnecting to your wild side! Bring a lunch, snack, and water bottle in a day pack.
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OPEN HOUSE on Sat Sept 24 from 9am - noon
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Dates: Fall Series of 8 Saturdays rain or shine:
Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19, 2022 -
Time: 9am – 3pm at Sassafras
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Cost: Regular Price $400 for the Series of 8 Saturdays.
(We offer payment plans and financial aid, and our Repair Fund covers full tuition for Wôpanâak and IBPOC families that choose to)
Sassafras Afterschool
This program runs according to interest, please email us with your request.
For youth ages 6 and up.
After-school program on Thursdays for girls & pre-teen girls to deepen their connection with the land, themselves, and each other. Explore woods, trails, streams, and coastline, delve into natural mysteries, find wild edibles and medicinals, play games that heighten your awareness, laugh with friends, and express yourself. Engage in storytelling, cooking over a fire, singing, and following your passion. Learn to take the lead and work as a team to experience the empowerment of meeting edges together with other girls, guided by women mentors.
Girls can take the school bus to Aquinnah and will be picked up at the Aquinnah Town Hall bus stop. At the end of the program, parents pick up at Sassafras.
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Dates: Series of Thursdays: dates t.b.a.
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Times: 3 pm - 5 pm (or when the school bus arrives in Aquinnah)Times:
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Cost Series: t.b.d.
April Vacation
Grades K and up.
Join a “classic” day at Sassafras in April Vacation, for outdoor skills, games, and fun survival challenges! Sign up for the entire week titled “Spring into Nature”, organized by Felix Neck and the MVEEA, of which Sassafras is a part, with a different location every day.
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Date: April Vacation
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Registration thru Felix Neck
Outdoor Home School
Sassafras’ Outdoor Home School program provides naturalist-, earth- and life skills training, through hands-on outdoor experiences that are balanced with reading & writing on outdoor topics. Our curriculum includes nature observation, sensory awareness games, tracking, crafting, creative storytelling, research and journaling, bird language, and playing music. Experience a natural way of learning, by following the seasonal changes and place-based curriculum, through quality mentoring.
Public / Private School Programs
Sassafras offers a variety of programs for schools and other organizations. In the past, we have facilitated day programs as well as overnight experiences, for the Oak Bluffs School, the Chilmark School, the Charter School, and schools off-island. Together with the school’s team or teacher, we create a format that includes the school's objectives and works with elementary middle, and high school students.
