Enrollment for our Spring 2026 Program is opening soon.
Spring 2026
Gritty Explorers is an outdoor farm to forest program to enrich the children in the community. Our Spring farm to forest programs are designed to expose children to the joys of the outdoors in all seasons, with its setting based on a small, regenerative farm. Children will experience a play-based program where days are lightly structured to incorporate learning and exploration while providing safe and engaging activities to get little hands dirty, in community with their peers.
About the 12-week drop off program:
When: Tuesday and Thursday mornings
Time: 9am – 1pm
Dates: March 3rd- May 21st
Location: Love & Grit Farm 22525 Wildcat Rd. Germantown, MD
Ages: 4-9 year olds
Price: $1,465 (Tuesday AND Thursday) or $799 (One Day: Tuesday OR Thursday only)
Payments: $100 non-refundable deposit upon registration
Three payments of $455 for the 2 day option or $233 for the 1 day option (Invoiced in March, April, May)
**We offer a rolling admission option, please send us an email if you are interested in learning more or signing up after the program has started. [email protected]
***There will be a 3% fee for all credit card payments.
**Upon completion of registration, you will receive a welcome email a few weeks before the first day
Sample Schedule
9:00-9:30
Drop off and morning gathering in the big red barn
9:30-10:30
Hands-on farm/nature educational based activity
10:30-11:00
Snack & story (children are to bring their own snacks)
11-12:00
Free play, creek time, arts & crafts
12-1:00
Lunch (children are to bring a packed lunch), Games, Journaling, free time, clean up
**Sample activities include– learning about compost, picking vegetables from the garden, planting seeds, learning how to identify trees, plants and birds, making nature related crafts using items only found in the nature (pine cone bird feeders, leaf bracelets, bird nests, potato stamping), and exploring our big world from a smaller perspective using magnifying glasses.
Registration
2-day Option: Tuesday and Thursday
**Children must be fully potty trained and 4 years old before September 1st
$1,465
$100 non-refundable deposit due upon registration
Three payments of $455 will be invoiced
1 Day Option: Tuesday OR Thursday
**Children must be fully potty trained and 4 years old before September 1st
$799
$100 non-refundable deposit due upon registration
Three Payments of $233 will be invoiced
Meet our Spring Program Leaders:
Ms. Jessica comes to us with over 15 years of early childhood teaching experience. She is a mom of two teenage boys. She would describe herself as an educator by accident; she started her teaching journey taking over for her mom’s daycare program each summer while she was in college. She spent 10 years teaching preschool inside a classroom.
After many years of loose parts, messy art and being inside she was inspired look for a nature school after attending a conference. Her passion for meeting each child where they are has led her to outdoor education. Jessica has spent the past five years working toward this goal and is currently working to complete coursework for level 1 Nature-Based Teacher Certification from ANBE (Association for Nature-Based Education). In addition, she has a 90-hour Maryland Department of Education lead teacher certification in early childhood education as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University.
Jessica’s connection to and love of nature started when she was a young girl spending every summer in the mountains of New York’s Adirondak Park. She goes back to visit her family every chance she gets. The hours exploring the woods, climbing trees, and picking wild flowers helped to create the connection she has to nature today. She loves to craft, paint, dance, find new nature trails to walk with her family and will never turn down homemade chocolate chip cookies.
She joined our Gritty Explorers team in Fall 2024 as a Leader and is looking forward to another year.
01
Community
Engagement Activities
Gritty Explorers emphasizes community building through group activities that encourage teamwork and social interaction among participants. This helps children develop essential social skills.
02
Review
Nature-Based Education
Our program integrates nature-based education, allowing children to learn about local ecosystems, weather patterns, and sustainable practices. This holistic approach nurtures a love for the environment.
Our program integrates nature-based education, allowing children to learn about local ecosystems, weather patterns, and sustainable practices. This holistic approach nurtures a love for the environment.
03
Nature
Outdoor Exploration
Children engage in hands-on activities that promote learning about nature and farming. This feature encourages curiosity and connection with the environment.
Skills
Development Focus
Motor Skills Growth
Through various activities, children enhance their motor skills while exploring the outdoors. This hands-on approach fosters confidence and physical development.
