Nature-Based Educator

Before You Rush Into Fall... One Last Summer Conversation Before We Reset As nature-based educators and program founders, it's easy to believe that every spare moment of summer should be spent planning for fall. Curriculum, enrollment, staffing, marketing, supplies—there's always one more thing to do. But what if your most important work this summer isn't creating another plan? What if it's paying...

Episode 3: Leading Summer Programs Without Burning Out Practical Support for Nature-Based Directors and Outdoor Educators As we wrap up our Sustainable Summer Series, we're zooming out to talk about leadership. Summer has a way of revealing what's working in our programs—and what isn't. From staffing challenges and enrollment pressures to overextending ourselves in the name of serving others, this...

Episode 2: Summer Survival for Nature-Based Educators Staying Regulated, Hydrated, and Human During Camp Season Summer camps and outdoor programs don't have to be packed with activities to be meaningful. In this episode, Ade shares why simple rhythms, realistic expectations, and regulated adults are often the secret ingredients to a successful summer season. If you've ever felt pressure to enterta...

HOW TO AVOID SUMMER BURNOUT IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION Heat, Hydration, Boundaries, and Sustainable Summer Rhythms Summer programming is magical—but it can also be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. In this episode, Ade shares practical strategies for avoiding burnout during camp season, including hydration, nutrition, simplifying expectations, and recognizing the signs of dysregulation be...

The end of the school year often leads straight into summer planning—but if you’re a nature-based director, forest school leader, or outdoor educator, skipping reflection can lead to burnout. In this episode, Ade shares why it’s essential to pause, process, and close your program year before jumping into what’s next. You’ll walk away with simple reflection prompts and a clearer, more grounded appr...

Feeling burned out in the classroom—even though you still love the work? In this episode, Ade shares five practical ways to reignite joy, connection, and creativity when teaching starts to feel heavy. From putting the phone down and stepping back into play, to taking your cohort beyond the fence line and introducing collaborative storytelling, these simple shifts can breathe fresh life into your d...

Running a nature- and play-based program comes with beautiful, meaningful work—but also incredibly hard, often invisible decisions. In this episode, we talk about what it really looks like to lead when things feel uncertain, emotional, and high-stakes. From questioning whether a family is the right fit mid-year, to navigating weather cancellations and running out of snow days, to holding firm to p...

Is play really rigorous? In this episode, Ade unpacks why play is not a break from learning—but the deepest, most demanding form of it. If you’re leading a nature- and play-based program and ever feel pressure to prove that “real learning” is happening, this conversation will reframe everything. We explore what rigor actually means, why adults struggle to trust play, and how protecting play transf...

Show Notes & Links: Referenced in this episode: Episode 25: Three Steps to Launching Your Nature-Based Program from Scratch The Nature Play Blueprint: 4-Week Intensive Mentorship 1:1 Mentorship with Ade — individualized support for directors, founders, and facilitators Topics covered: Defining and refining your vision Creating systems that support your energy and growth The importance of mento...

🪶 Show Notes: In this episode, we cover: The 5 biggest misconceptions about nature and play-based programs How to respond when someone says, “It’s just play” Why academics thrive outdoors (and how to show parents that) The real difference between risk and danger How to make nature-based education more accessible and inclusive Why this approach isn’t a trend—it’s a return to how children have alwa...

🌿 Episode Overview In today’s episode, Ade breaks down a challenge every outdoor educator faces: big emotions in big spaces. While nature is calming, children still bring their full nervous systems outside—and dysregulation can feel even louder in the woods. Ade shares simple, research-backed strategies to help you support children with confidence while also protecting your own peace. You’ll lear...

In this episode, Ade shares how to use nature itself as your curriculum—without rigid lesson plans or a canned program. You’ll learn why observation is the most powerful teaching tool, how child-led learning brings academic standards to life outdoors, and why trusting the seasons can give you a ready-made structure for your outdoor classroom. From the “living, breathing, larger-than-life water tab...

Episode Summary: Think creating an outdoor classroom has to cost thousands? Think again. In this episode, I’m sharing four practical and budget-friendly ways to design essential outdoor learning spaces—without draining your wallet. From community gathering spots to mud kitchens, art areas, and climbing spaces, you’ll walk away with clear, creative ideas for how to source materials, ask for donatio...

Show Notes Recap Title: How to Talk to Parents About Risky Play—Without Apologizing In this episode: Why you need to ground yourself before talking to families Real language you can use to describe what risky play is and how you support it How to normalize nervousness and still stand your ground Simple strategies to communicate supervision and safety Ways to build trust without overexplaining or d...

Learn how to implement five simple rhythms to bring more flow, less stress, and more child-centered connection to your outdoor days. Perfect for educators feeling stuck, scattered, or just ready to create more ease in the day. In This Episode: How to structure your day without rigidity Why circle time might actually work long-term Anchoring transitions with real intention Protecting unstructured p...

If you’re dreaming about starting your own nature or play-based program—but feel overwhelmed about where to begin—you’re in the right place. Today, we’re breaking it down into three essential steps: building your support circle, navigating licensing, and securing your space. Plus, we’ll talk about the heart of it all—your why. Let’s ground your vision and get you moving, one step at a time.

Hidden under that mountain of laundry and dishes in the sink, buried within the catacombs of your to-do list - there's a message for future you. Walk with Ade as she shares how to move through seasons of overwhelm and give action steps on how to make your daily "grind" 5-10% more enjoyable. Hint: the little things are the big things. Tune into episode 24 for more details!

Nature and nutrition go together like pollinators and wildflowers. Walk with Ade as she shares her journey and discoveries in how taking a closer look at what and how she was fueling her body majorly shifted how she showed up in the space she shares with children in her forest classroom!

In this episode of The Outside The Box Podcast, we explore how optimizing energy isn’t just about food and movement—but also about sleep. After working with a nutritionist in preparation for USS Nationals, I discovered that despite doing everything “right,” my sleep was the missing piece. Join me as we dive into sleep cycles, daily habits, and how aligning our personal energy affects how we show u...

In this episode of The Outside The Box Podcast , we explore how nature’s seasonal rhythms can inspire us to rethink the traditional New Year's resolutions. Instead of setting goals in the depth of winter, we discuss why spring is the perfect time for new beginnings. Tune in to learn how aligning with nature’s cycles can bring balance, creativity, and renewal to both your personal growth and y...

Welcome back to Outside the Box! I’m your host, Ade Hofmann, and in this episode, we’re diving into the deeply personal journey of creating something from scratch—whether it’s a program, a project, or a vision for your life. The process is so much more than the end result. It’s messy, emotional, and full of unexpected beauty. Join me as we unpack what it means to build something meaningful, embrac...

In this episode, The Discipline of Freedom: How Structure Sets Us Free in Nature-Based Education, we explore the transformative power of routines and rhythms in outdoor learning. Discover how intentional structure creates safety and trust, empowering children to take risks, explore, and build meaningful connections with the natural world—and with the educators who guide them. Join us as we redefin...

Join Ade in this episode as she walks with you through the three components to building a classroom community that is rotted in authentic connection, understating, trust and respect. Practicing these methods will not only positively impact your cohort at large but also expand your practice as an educator/caregiver. 
 Love this episode? Want to dig even DEEPER? Check out Ade’s newest virtual traini...

Join Ade in this episode as she shares her latest tips on how to manage your classroom set up without stress or overwhelm. She will walk you through the before and after of intentionally creating spaces that have the children’s experience in mind. Download the FREE Guide to Why Play Matters here: https://mailchi.mp/1e971e8a207d/9l9pim0nua and shop major deals on gear at The Outdoor School Shop by...