Investigating the Outdoors
Investigating the Outdoors provides homeschooled youth with the opportunity to engage, reflect and connect with the outdoors in meaningful and inspiring ways.
What is Investigating the Outdoors?
ITO (Investigating the Outdoors) is an immersive outdoor program designed for youth ages 9-12, offering a unique opportunity to explore the natural world while gaining a deeper understanding of environmental education. This 100% outdoor class fosters curiosity, promotes personal growth, and encourages hands-on learning. Each week centers around a different theme, including:
- Plant and wildlife identification
- Fishing and archery experiences
- Ecological changes and the natural world
- Animals, flowers, and insects
- Time to explore and play with peers
- An end-of-semester "Surthrive Project," where participants apply what they've learned in a creative, hands-on way
Our program is designed to support social-emotional development by incorporating reflective nature journaling, while also allowing for individual exploration and discovery. The class is balanced with group activities, interactive games, and ample opportunities for laughter and fun, fostering a sense of community and connection.
Participants will engage in a variety of hands-on experiences, guided by Nature Niños staff or community partners with expertise in environmental education. These activities include creating art projects, investigating scientific materials, exploring natural spaces, and practicing skills such as archery or fishing. Through these activities, we empower youth to connect with nature and develop the knowledge and confidence to thrive.
About the Class
🍂 Fall 2026 Update!
We're excited to announce that our Fall 2026 classes will kick off the week of August 31st and run through the week of December 14th, ending on their respective class days by December 18th.
This semester includes 16 weeks of programming with 15 outdoor classes, allowing for a break during Thanksgiving week. Each class is designed to inspire exploration, build outdoor skills, foster social-emotional learning, and strengthen connections with the natural world.
📅 Class schedules and locations will be shared with registered and paid families approximately two weeks before classes begin.
Please Note: While classes will typically meet on the same day each week, there may occasionally be a class that is rescheduled to a different day due to staff professional development opportunities. If this occurs, families will receive advance notice well ahead of time.
We can't wait to get outside and grow wild with you this fall! 🍁🌲
No full or partial refunds will be provided past September 4th, 2026 for Fall 2026 classes.
Class Days & Times:
Tuesday AM Session (9:00AM - 12:00PM)
Tuesday PM Session (1:00PM - 4:00PM)
Please Note:
Each class has a maximum limit of 25 students.
A class needs a minimum of 12 students registered for the class to occur.
TUITION UPDATE:
As we begin the Fall 2026 semester, we want to share that tuition remains a flat rate of $275 per student. We understand that flexibility is important for many families, so we're offering a payment plan option this semester. Families may choose to pay half at registration and the remaining half at the midpoint of the semester.
We are so grateful for the continued support of our Nature Niños community. Your involvement makes it possible for us to offer meaningful, nature-based experiences that connect youth to land, community, and themselves. Thank you for helping us grow this mission together!
If you have any questions about tuition or the payment plan, please feel free to reach out to Sarah Candelaria at sarah@natureninos.org.
No full or partial refunds will be provided past September 4th, 2026 for Fall 2026 classes.
Notes for Parents:
- The first class meeting will include a MANDATORY 30-min introductory session for parents/guardians to meet the instructors and discuss details for the semester.
- This is a drop-off class. Please follow the drive-in drop-off and pick-up instructions to support a smooth process.
- Classes will be held in public, open spaces in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho.
- Family Hike Days invite families to join their student in their class - other siblings may attend as well.
- Consider volunteering in class on instructor-requested dates.
Nature Niños classes are held in various public, open spaces in and around Albuquerque.
- Alameda Open Space
- Los Ranchos Agri-Nature Center
- Rio Grande Nature Center
- Sandia Foothills
- Petroglyph National Monument
- And more!
Parents are responsible for transportation to and from all events.
Restrooms in Outdoor Spaces
Many outdoor spaces include restroom facilities, but when you get off the beaten path, that situation changes a bit.
Most of our places include access to either a building facility or a port-a-potty with hand sanitizer or handwashing stations.
In locations that do not have restroom access, Nature Niños provides a sanitary and private portable toilet with a privacy tent, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.
Cancellation and Inclement Weather Policy:
Nature Niños is a small, dedicated team. As we work to provide and engage youth in the outdoors, unforeseen circumstances such as illness, emergencies, or other circumstances may affect our team. If our team is unable to coverage in these circumstances to meet our standard teacher-student ratio, a class may need to be cancelled.
Because we are a 100% outdoor program, we plan to have class in all kinds of weather. However, when conditions become hazardous like lightning storms, icy roads, and extremely high winds, this can create undo dangers in our outdoor spaces.
Nature Niños does our best within these factors to host every scheduled class. Refunds will not be distributed for these circumstances affecting class. Should a class need to be cancelled, an instructor will post the notification on the Band app, through email, and our social media pages. Thank you for your understanding.