Tiny Trees: Art & Stories
Join our tiniest of Nature Niños as we explore nature in public, open spaces in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho.
Thank you to the Outdoor Equity Fund, through the New Mexico Economic Development Department, Outdoor Recreation Division & the McCune Charitable Foundation or supporting our work in the community:
What is Tiny Trees?
- Open for ages 4-8 years old
- A 100% outdoors class to explore and learn
Each week focuses on a different lesson, including:
- Plant & Wildlife identification
- Fishing & Archery experiences
- Planet's natural and ecological facts and changes
- Animals, flowers, insects
- Play time and Story time
Our programming integrates social-emotional benefits which nature provides through individual nature journaling time and by giving children a bountiful amount of free time to explore nature at their own pace, find topics that interest them, climb trees, count leaves and get dirty!!
We provide hands-on experiences to learn about these topics presented by Nature Ninos staff or by one of our knowledgeable community partners. These include creating art projects, exploring the natural space, investigating sample materials, or playing with friends.
About the Class
Class Days & Times:
Thursday AM Session (9:30AM - 12:00PM)
Thursday PM Session (1:00PM - 3:30PM)
Friday AM Session (9:30AM - 12:00PM)
Friday PM Session (1:00PM - 3:30PM)
Please Note:
Each class has a maximum limit of 20 students.
A class needs a minimum of 16 students registered for the class to occur.
Costs for the Semester
There are two payment options for the semester, supplemented by our generous grant partners and donors. Thank you for your contributions to support this program.
Please choose the payment option that fits your family's budget:
Rate A: $336 (Approx $8/hr or $24 per class)
Rate B: $200 (Approx $4.50/hr or $14 per class)
We do not want to create a financial burden for our community or create any barriers to experiencing the outdoors for your child/family. If these payment options prevent your family from participating in our program, please contact our Executive Director, Sarah Candelaria, with your concerns.
A Typical Class Schedule:
- Welcome
- Activity & Story Time
- Nature Exploration Topic
- Art Exploration
- Group Game/Free Exploration
- Depart Location
Notes for Parents:
- The first class meeting will be a short class introduction. This includes a MANDATORY 30-min introductory session for parents/guardians to meet the instructors and discuss details for the semester.
- Classes will be held in public, open spaces in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho.
- Family Hike Days REQUIRE a parent/guardian to attend the whole class - other siblings may attend as well.
- One volunteer-in-class date is required per registration. A sign-up form will be sent to families two weeks prior to classes starting.
- Parents/Guardians may stay on-site or drop-off and return for the class duration. If you stay on-site, we provide a designated space where you can encourage your student's autonomous growth while observing the class, meeting other parents, and be present to support your child if needed.
Nature Niños classes are held in various public, open spaces in and around Albuquerque.
Some partner locations may include:
- 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.
For all locations, Nature Niños staff are not allowed to assist your child with restroom duties such as wiping bottoms or buttoning pants. Please dress your child in clothing that they can easily navigate.
If your child does need this assistance, a parent/guardian MUST be on-site.
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.