

UPCOMING YOUTH CLASSES
Muddy Shoes: Nature Explorers
A playful outdoor nature class for little adventurers who can’t wait to explore! Kids will track animals, discover wild edibles, play nature games, hear stories, and follow their curiosity through the woods. From frog eggs to fox tails, every adventure brings new discoveries, new friendships, and a deeper connection to the natural world. 25 minutes east of Austin at our beautiful 105 acres campus. Ages 3.5–5.
October 10
Armadillo Adventurers
Once a month, nature exploration program in the heart of Austin at McKinney Falls State Park. This program is designed for young homeschoolers to get outside, de-stress, connect with the outdoors, meet new friends, and learn all about nature! Armadillo Adventurers blends outdoor play with naturalist skills, knife safety & carving, nature crafts, and other fun topics, delivering a well-rounded monthly program for Ages 6-12.
October 19
Barnyard Adventure
A hands-on farm experience where kids meet and care for animals, learn basic homesteading skills, and connect with friendly horses, mini-donkeys, goats, mini-pigs, chickens, ducks, and turtles, and play in the woods. A great introduction to farm life for children 25 minutes east of Austin. Ages 6–10, all activities guided by our skilled and experienced youth instructors.
October 24
Primitive Fishing for Kids
Kids learn the basics of fishing using primitive and traditional techniques in this hands-on outdoor class. We’ll make our own fishing kits using hand-lines and materials found in nature, practice casting, and learn about freshwater fish ecology. A fun, hands-on way to build real fishing skills and connect with the natural world. Ages 7-12
October 24
Plant Potions - Local Plant Medicine
Plant Potions: Halloween Edition! Spend Halloween brewing up potions from the wild! Kids will explore the woods in search of local medicinal plants, learn how to safely identify and harvest them, and transform their finds into their very own plant potions and preparations. Along the way, we’ll mix in a little plant folklore, mystery, and Halloween magic. Ages 6–10.
October 31
Knife Carving & Safety
Is your child begging you to be allowed to use a knife, but you have concerns about their safety? In this all-day class, students will be instructed thoroughly according to the Knife Safety Certification that all students must pass through before being trusted to use a knife in our programs. In addition to safety, we will instruct your child about effective carving techniques, and they will get to bring home an object that they have carved. Ages 7–12.
October 31
Campfire Skills
Kids learn the art of building and tending a campfire using materials gathered right from the landscape! We’ll explore different fire-starting techniques, practice using matches and ferro rods, learn how to safely tend and extinguish a fire, and even see a friction fire demonstration. A hands-on introduction to one of the most important and exciting wilderness skills! Ages 6–10.
November 14
Survival Skills
What does it really take to survive in the wild? Kids will spend the day learning the essentials of wilderness survival, including how to build a shelter, make a fire, purify water, and identify wild edible plants. Working together and getting plenty of hands-on practice, they’ll build practical skills and confidence for their next outdoor adventure. Ages 6–12.
November 21
Wooden Spoon Carving
Kids turn a simple piece of wood into a beautiful, functional spoon they can be proud of! Students will learn how to split out a spoon blank, practice spoon-carving techniques, and sand and oil their finished creation. A hands-on class that builds carving skills, creativity, and confidence while making something useful to take home. Ages 7–12. Knife Certification required.
December 19
Campfire Skills
Kids learn the art of building and tending a campfire using materials gathered right from the landscape! We’ll explore different fire-starting techniques, practice using matches and ferro rods, learn how to safely tend and extinguish a fire, and even see a friction fire demonstration. A hands-on introduction to one of the most important and exciting wilderness skills! Ages 6–10.
January 23
Knife Carving & Safety
Is your child begging you to be allowed to use a knife, but you have concerns about their safety? In this all-day class, students will be instructed thoroughly according to the Knife Safety Certification that all students must pass through before being trusted to use a knife in our programs. In addition to safety, we will instruct your child about effective carving techniques, and they will get to bring home an object that they have carved. Ages 7–12.
January 30
Nature Crafts
Let creativity run wild! Kids will explore the landscape and gather natural materials like leaves, clay, stones, sticks, and other treasures, then use what they find to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Projects may include mobiles, wall hangings, clay creations, plant pressings, lanterns, and more. Along the way, students will experiment with different materials and discover just how much artistic inspiration can be found in the natural world. Ages 6-10.
February 13
The Art of Natural Rope Making
Kids can explore wilderness and survival skills in this hands-on outdoor class at our Bastrop campus near Austin, Texas. Students will learn how to identify and harvest local plants, prepare natural fibers, and turn them into strong rope using traditional cordage-making techniques. This nature-based class gives kids the opportunity to practice an ancient survival skill while building a deeper connection with the plants and natural resources around them. Ages 7-12.
February 20
Survival Skills
What does it really take to survive in the wild? Kids will spend the day learning the essentials of wilderness survival, including how to build a shelter, make a fire, purify water, and identify wild edible plants. Working together and getting plenty of hands-on practice, they’ll build practical skills and confidence for their next outdoor adventure. Ages 6–12.
February 27
Forts & Fairy Houses
Do your little ones see fairies in the woods or your backyard? Would they like to know more about the folklore surrounding these tiny woods creatures? We will share stories about these magical beings and then head out into the woods to seek out enchanted places where we will build homes for them. We will also construct our own forts for fairy observation nearby! Ages 5-8.
March 20
Knife Carving & Safety
Is your child begging you to be allowed to use a knife, but you have concerns about their safety? In this all-day class, students will be instructed thoroughly according to the Knife Safety Certification that all students must pass through before being trusted to use a knife in our programs. In addition to safety, we will instruct your child about effective carving techniques, and they will get to bring home an object that they have carved. Ages 7–12.
March 27
Amazing Local Plants
Kids will discover the world of native Texas plants in this hands-on outdoor nature class near Austin. Through plant-hunting adventures, games, and exploration, students will learn to identify local edible and medicinal plants while building plant identification, foraging, and wilderness skills. Ages 5-9.
April 10
Barnyard Adventure
A hands-on farm experience where kids meet and care for animals, learn basic homesteading skills, and connect with friendly horses, mini-donkeys, goats, mini-pigs, chickens, ducks, and turtles, and play in the woods. A great introduction to farm life for children 25 minutes east of Austin. Ages 6–10, all activities guided by our skilled and experienced youth instructors.
April 17
Wooden Spoon Carving
Kids turn a simple piece of wood into a beautiful, functional spoon they can be proud of! Students will learn how to split out a spoon blank, practice spoon-carving techniques, and sand and oil their finished creation. A hands-on class that builds carving skills, creativity, and confidence while making something useful to take home. Ages 7–12. Knife Certification required.
May 15
Teen Wilderness Adventure
A hands-on wilderness skills program built specifically for teens near Austin. Participants learn real skills including shelter building, fire, navigation, and wild food foraging at our incredible 105 acre wooded campus in Bastrop. Teens develop new friendships, confidence and community in a format that fits with their regular busy schedules. Ages 12-16.
Begins September 2027
Farm & Forest Monthly
A monthly program connecting kids to both farm life and forest skills near Austin/Bastrop. Kids learn in the best ways possible, hands on at the Earth Native farm, caring for and connecting with gentle farm animals including horses, mini-donkeys, mini-pigs, goats, chickens, ducks and giant turtles, tending to the garden, running wild in the woods, and learning how to read the natural world around them. Ages 6–12.
Begins September 2027









































