Classes

Welcome to my Nature Classes.

Getting children excited and curious about the natural world is what my nature camp is all about. When children and nature mix, something magical happens. I believe if we inspire a love for nature in a child, it will lead to a desire to protect it.

The nature activities that I teach are fun, engaging and easy to do and awaken childrens’ senses, minds and hearts. Children need to go outside for both learning and play. Time outdoors helps children to develop a sense of spirit, independence and confidence.

During the classes, we provide a natural space where children can run, play, dance, sing, squeal, shout or be silent in this forest space. They stand, kneel or crouch to paint or create the creatures, birds, trees, flowers and grasses which are all around us. The children develop a beautiful relationship with Mother Earth. They get to feel who they are, happy and free.

Nature classes video:

EVENTS 2011- 2012

Vancouver Community College : Workshop session on 19th Nov 2011 “Connecting Children With Nature” with Marghanita Hughes 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m and  1:45 to 3:45 p.m. (Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre’s Annual Conference).

Nature classes hit the road.

We will be taking the nature classes and workshops on the road. School visits, parks, private events. If you would like to hold a nature event, class or workshop, please email: info@marghanita.com.

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Please see below for August Nature Classes:

You can pick and choose which days you wish your child to attend.

• Mon -  Aug 8^th Mermaids and Roaring Seas
• Tues –  Aug 9^th Forest Warriors and Wands
• Wed –  Aug 10^th Flower pots, Butterflies and herbs

• Mon -  Aug 15^th Rocks, Gems and Mud monsters
• Tues –  Aug 16^th Wolves and Puppets
• Wed –  Aug 17^th Lanterns and night creatures

• Mon – Aug 22^nd Walnut shell boats and whimsical rivers
• Tues – Aug 23rd   Forest Party (Making Tie dye tshirts (supply own t shirt) Please note, this event will finish around 12.30.

Here are a few of the fun nature activities we will be doing this summer. All classes are held outdoors in the beautiful  woodland area.

Petal Art & Magic Potions

Making Music In the Garden – Puppet Making

Dancing With The Flowers – Drawing & Painting Wildflowers

Empowerment Pebbles

Earth In My Hands

Where The Wild Things Are

Floating Down A Whimsical River

Learn About Trees – Make Your Own Wooden Necklace

Building Fairy Houses and Critter Homes

Gardening With Chloe – Flower Pots and Butterflies

Pebble Art and Treasure Hunt

Bird Watching with Lucy-Painting Birds in the Woods

Ages 4-8yrs  Each child must arrive at class wearing  sunscreen and insect repellent.  Each child will need to bring their own water bottle and a small healthy snack. Consent forms will be available online next week. All forms must be signed before attending class, thank you.

Marghanita offers an insight and solutions to actively engage children with nature. Her successful nature based arts and craft classes are a sell out each season.

What people are saying…………………………

Thanks so much for the good work you do.

Richard Louv - author of “Last Child in the Woods”. USA

Dear Ms. Hughes: Congratulations.  This is the kind of initiative that should be occurring across Canada.  I support the Young Naturalists and Boy Scouts for the same reason.  I tell the story that when I was growing up in the 1950’s, six of us lived in a house of less than 1000 sq. ft. and my parents were always telling me to go outside and play.  Now we do the opposite.  Go for it.

David Suzuki Canada

Hi Marghanita. Last night you would have been so pleased! A teacher gave a presentation about how she used empowerment pebbles and the children gave a talk outside about what they had found out about their special animal over the Easter holiday. Each child had a pebble in their pocket to go home for the purposes of the activity! This all came from your blog post last year. Thanks!

Juliet Robertson– Head teacher & freelance outdoor learning consultant UK

I was sharing with my husband, Mike, that your nature camp was truly a highlight of the whole summer. There is something utterly joyful about watching children play in the outdoors. Thank you Marghanita, you are a gift to our community.

Dr Kristina Towill – Psychologist  Canada

Marghanita blends her love of nature and children, her knowledge of the forest, and her considerable artistic abilities to create her Little Humbugs books, inspiring videos and nature classes, her environmentally conscious soft toys, and her inspiring website and blog. Alison Kerr  USA

I am a freelance writer from Southern California who promotes play and family outdoor time on my FunOrangeCountyParks.com website. My children are completely captivated by Marghanita’s Little Humbugs book, activity sheets, webisodes, and dolls. These characters are very real to them. We talk about Chloe when we garden. Baby Bee inspired us to buy container plants especially for our pollinators. Nika comes to mind when we collect rocks or create rock art. Jasmine the Butterfly Girl is my daughter’s favorite companion.

Michele Whiteaker – OC Play Parks, California

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Last year we had so much fun:

Building The Biggest Butterfly Girl Fairy House For  Charity 2010.

Helping to raise awareness of the importance of nature in a child’s life.

Watch the video:

You must register first. Please email me: info@marghanita.com to register, thank you.

Looking forward to meeting you and having lot’s of fun outdoors.