NATURAL LEADERS
​ADVENTURE | INDEPENDENCE | COURAGE
  • HOME
  • PROGRAMS
    • Homeschool Programs >
      • Program Description
      • View Offerings & Register
      • Mock Day - '25-'26 Homeschool Program
      • Homeschool Trial Day Program
      • Calendar
    • Under-7 Offerings >
      • Under-7 Program
      • Under-7 Waitlist
    • Saturday Leadership Adventures
    • Summer Day Programs >
      • Summer Day Programs
      • Summer Leadership Adventures
    • Advanced Programs >
      • Summer Overnight
  • REGISTER
    • Homeschool Registration (2025-26)
    • Homeschool Trial Day Application
    • Summer Registration (2025)
    • Registration Policies
  • ABOUT
    • OUR TEAM
    • CONTACT
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • JOIN THE TEAM!
    • Privacy
  • LEARN!
    • Adventure Reports
    • Animals
    • Basketry
    • Bow Drill
    • Clay
    • Cooking
    • Coordinator
    • Cordage
    • Dyeing
    • Fire
    • Firing Pots
    • Games
    • Gear List
    • Knife Choice
    • Navigation
    • Pandemic
    • Photography
    • Plants
    • Presenting
    • Safety
    • Spoons & Spatulas
    • Storytelling
    • Survival Shelter
    • Group Shelter
    • Tarps
    • Ticks
    • Tinder
  • BLOG
  • Homeschool Parent Portal
  • Summer Parent Portal

The Magical Forest: Bowie field Report for 3/14/19

3/26/2019

0 Comments

 
Field report by R:

It was an unusually warm day as the class started. Mr. Nick was there instead of Mr. Rhys, so it was slightly different. The day started with D. teaching us how to play starfish. After, we began collecting logs for our spatulas from the magical forest. Some were pink while others purple on the inside. This would make for beautiful spatulas!

Then, we headed into the forest, led by H. We crossed the creek and headed to the mystical shelter. Then, we ate and were told a frightening story by K. After eating, little did everyone knows that our appetites would be ruined, K. talked about a parasite, Cryptosporidium
.

People can become infected with this parasite after drinking contaminated water or getting it in your mouth. This was especially important on a hot day. After learning about the parasite, we moved on to a more pleasant activity.  Everyone began working on their spatulas. They came out beautiful.


​  
A while later we planned some of the activities for field day. People were separated into groups and planned what they would say and what they would do. Then, we headed to the creek. Some of us waded in the water and continued building the rock bridge. The water was getting deeper in one part and spilling into the other. Much work had to be done! Unfortunately, it was time to head out, so we headed to the parking lot. Goodbyes were said as each of us drifted farther from the forest.
0 Comments

The Fox Twins Sense a Slight Disturbance in the Forrest

1/31/2019

0 Comments

 
Adventure Report for 1/17, Bowie Natural Leaders
By RA
​It was a cold, snowy day as the children in Mr. Nick’s class gathered in the parking lot. We have some new children participating in the winter session class. They started introducing themselves, unaware of two sets of eyes watching them from behind some bushes.
"I can’t see! Get out of the way!" A unknown voice hollered.
"Just hold on. I want to see what they’re doing!" Another voice bellowed.
"So do I!" The creature started climbing over the other.
"Get off of me!" The creature below shook wildly, causing the other to fall.
"Let’s try not to get seen, okay?! They already saw you running once! They  could have captured you!”
The animal that had fallen was in the sunlight. She had red, dirty fur from rolling
around.
"Whatever, Flare. I bet they like foxes,” she said.
"Uh oh! Hurry up, Flame! they’re coming this way!"

       The group was completely unaware of these two foxes. They continued on their journey, chattering like squirrels.
       "Why must they talk so much?" Flare questioned as she peeked her head out from some bushes.
       "I think they’re friends. Too bad we can’t be friends because we are twins." Flame replied, rolling around.
Not long after the kids started playing a game called wolves and white tails, also known as wolves and caribou, they threw socks at each other. The foxes thought this was odd.
       "They don’t look like wolves to me! They look like puny little kids." Flare snorted. "Let’s get going before we get seen!" She got up carefully then began running in a random direction.
       "Wait for me!" Flame hollered, running after her twin sister.
They ran around the woods, destroying random snowmen that the kids had made. After a while, they rested by a log that crossed the river to the other side.  This was the only way across the river.
       Suddenly, Flame rose her head. "Do you hear that? Silly squirrels are causing a ruckus!"
       "Those aren’t squirrels! Those are humans!" Both of the foxes bolted up as they heard footsteps.
       Flame ran across the log, Flare running in her footsteps. They ran up the hill and darted in different directions.
       "Flame! This way! Follow my footsteps!" Flare shouted.
       "But this way is more safe!" Flame argued.
       "No it isn’t!" Flare argued back.
       "Fine." Flame followed her sister.
 
       "See, these are fox tracks," a tall human, who probably wasn't a kid, pointed to the log.
       A not so large group of kids gathered around the log. “Wow!”
      The foxes continued their journey. Both the foxes made it to a broken car site. They went inside and messed around for nearly half an hour. Suddenly, the silly squirrels started chattering again.
       "Do you hear that?" Flare jumped out of the car. "I think they’re coming back!"
       "They couldn’t be! They had lots of trouble not being able to cross the log, remember? They climbed the sides which probably took them awhile."
       "Well, I think awhile is over. I hear footsteps!" Flare bolted behind a large tree.                                      
The children started appearing, and Flame bolted after her twin sister. The group sat down in a drainage. They dropped sticks into a pile and started sorting them.
       "I’m doing the really thin sticks."
       "I’ll do the thick ones, then."
       After sorting the sticks, some of kids wandered off and others started assembling them into a fire. After a while, there was hollering and screaming. Flame peeked out from the tree and saw the children throwing snowballs.
       Wait a second, Flame thought. I think they've multiplied! There’s so many more!
       The kids finally settled down, gathering around a fire that had just been lit. They started eating, warming food on the fire, and again, chattering like squirrels! Some stood up beside the drainage and started talking while others would listen. Something about a moose and a leprechaun, angry trees and a squirrel eating something called popcorn.
Maybe that’s why they talk so much, because of whatever popcorn is! Flame thought. But how do humans hear trees? I can’t hear trees, but maybe squirrels do! They must be squirrels! Flame was so deep in thought she hadn’t even noticed that one of them was talking about knife safety.
     "C’mon Flame, they’ll spot you!" Flare whispered, running behind another tree.
     They hopped across a little stream and ran into the woods. The small group had followed them again, so they stayed behind a tree for a long time. The humans looked around, heading for the log right by the foxes. They started collecting sticks, and eventually, rolling giant snowballs. They built a shelter, squishing themselves inside. Finally, they started headed back.
      Flame noticed that Flare had fallen asleep in the shelter. I’ll follow them by myself, then, she thought.
       Flame followed the group. All the kids gathered up and started hitting each other with snowballs. Whoever got hit had to touch a tree.
       These ‘kids’ are unusual, Flame thought. Hitting each other with snowballs? Maybe they have declared war. Squirrel war.
The kids started heading back and Flame followed. The kids stopped by the side of a road, saying their names again and what part of the day they enjoyed. Finally, they all separated, said goodbye to each other,and got into their odd rectangular thing which rolled on the ground. Flame headed back to Flare to tell her about these chattering squirrels disguised as humans.
Picture
Photos by JS (above and below). Above: students experience the challenge of shelter craft with snow on the ground.
Picture
Epic snowball fight game!
Picture
Heading back, fording the stream.
Photo by Nick 
0 Comments

A Bowie NL Adventure Report

1/28/2019

0 Comments

 
If you've been following our student Adventure Reports, you'll love this one!

By NB


*even more flamboyant British accent*

​Elloelloello mate! Today I shall tell you a tale. A grand tale. A splendiffurous tale. A chewy tale like a luscious gooey chocolate fudgey caramel. Today started with a jolly little game called Red Rover.

“Didjery doo!” cried Mr Nick. “Let us all pay our attention to Nora.”

“Oh, jolly days! Ok!” cried the little kiddies. So Norah taught us all how to play Red Rover, in which two teams made a chain with their hands and each person called someone over to break the chain by rambunctiously ramming into their hands.

“In all my days!” gasped Ani. “Look at those jays! Let us not enter their gaze!” she rhymed.

Then we frolicy dodily dod into the forest, led by Rebecca.
“Wheeee!” we all cried as we ran through the forest. Five seconds later our cheers had changed into depressing moans.

“Oh, this is absolutely tragic!” we wept as we tore at our hair, exhausted. Jena commanded us to go on to the gravel pits, a desert that was far, far into the distance. At last, we managed to scoot our bums across the log that was dangling precariously over an endless gap that fell into the void. There were little rocks that could severely hurt us.

Jena said in a thick pirate voice, “Mates, we must be gitten along now mate! Catcatcatcat! ThunderClan catcatcat. ShadowClan catcatcat!” Nora responded Scottishly with,

“Aye, we must be gitten along now, aye! Catcatcat, ShadowClan catcatcat, Yellowfang catcatcat.”

So we scooched alone. And finally, after thirty years of travel, we at long last arrived at… *dramatic music* the gravel pits! It was very gravely and plainey, filled with long grass and a burnt down house! We scralloped over, pouring down the hill like honey oozing down a jar. Or melted ice cream. Or melted chocolate. Or melted gummy bears. Which is a little yucky, but STILL! Yay!


Picture
So we all ran down to a little ditch. Lily And Kate, the powerful little firemakers, went pow pow zing pow pow, and there was fire.

“My goodness!” we cried joyously. “That’s amazing!”

“Indubitably.” replied Kate proudly.

“And I brought some cakey bits.” announced Asia.

“Oh, scrumdidlyumtious!” cried everyone. There was chocolate! Hot dogs! Chips! Marsy mellows! Cookies! Cakey bits! Roasted nuts! Yummies! We fall upon the food, gladly stuffing our faces until they didn’t look remotely like faces anymore.

Meanwhile, Allan created another fire.

Khaliyah rose to tell us a story about a very peachy child, which made us light up in glee. Then we ate our jolly foods, and ran to play doubleball. Our sticks we had cherished for months as we fought our way through the forest, and were carved with care. We were ready.

“Gasp!” we all gasped in sync as a fox scrubbled its way through the forest under our very noses! A few moments later there was a new shout.

“Aye, lookat ze jaw on ze ground, aye! (catcatcat StarClan catcatcat french bulldog for some reason catcatcatcatcat)” said Norah.

“Oyo mate!” said Mr Rhys. “Well looki there, tis a fox jaw!” he inhaled with wonder.

“Indubitably.” said Kate.

Finally, after a long trek, we all circled, and spoke of circles, and spheres, and other round things like balls!

“I liked the class,” began Ani. “We trekked across grass, and never shattered like glass.”

We snapped our fingers.

Mr Nick raised his hands. “Didjery doo. There might not be time.”

“For what?” we cried, aghast.

“For doubleball, the game of the past, the game that we always have played.” Mr Nick said.

“Oh no, oh why? Oh horrors, oh my!” wept Ani. We all argued profusely, claiming that we always had played doubleball.

“Fine, if we have the time. Didjery doo!”

Finally we set off to play a short but glorious game. We charged and we flied, and we went as fast as our wee scrappy feets could go. We then played one of the most unfair games of doubleball.

There was the tall team, and the short team. It was ‘Coons versus Bees, the Coons being the short team and the Bees being the tall.

We tried and we tried, but it ended in a tie.

We all went, “Whyyyyy!!!”

Ani wrote that down, fascinated by the rhyme. “Indubitably!” shouted Kate, throwing her stick to the ground. In the end we remained jolly, and froliced back to our little houses, lit with bombastic happiness.

“‘Till the next session!” Mr Nick called out.

“Didjery doo!” we cheered in reply.
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Happy New Year!

1/14/2019

0 Comments

 

We wish you an adventurous New Year!
And we've got your resolutions covered:
  • Get your kids unplugged and loving the outdoors (any program). 
  • Teaching your child public speaking, time management, leadership (NL Homeschool program).
  • Lose weight - with our new Wilderness Survival Immersion experience!
Picture
NOW OPEN: Summer day program registration!

We are excited to offer 6 great weeks of amazing adventure at 4 convenient locations:
  • Springfield 
  • Gaithersburg
  • Great Falls
  • Lorton 
New and returning students will have a blast at our Ultimate Explorer day program.  

Enrollment is limited and registration is open, so reserve your spot
today!

 ​
Picture
NOW OPEN: The Natural Leaders Homeschool Program - Winter 2019!

Enroll, or re-enroll your homeschooler today in our transformative program that will:
  • Level up your child's social and leadership skills.
  • Develop character, confidence and responsibility.
  • Instill lifelong confidence and love of nature.
  • Teach real "hardcore survival skills."
Reserve your child's spot here.
Picture
NOW OPEN: Wilderness Survival Immersion!

Our first ever program of its kind - an opportunity for a small group of older, more advanced students who are ready to put their skills to the test under the guidance of exceptional, highly skilled mentors.

Learn more here.
 
Copyright © 2019 Natural Leaders, All rights reserved. 
0 Comments

A Ninja Forest Adventure

11/13/2018

1 Comment

 
By Aolani
Photo album here
As our Sensei says “Hello,”
He’s greeted by smiles and “Yo!”
By Ninjas of all kinds,
Some could track, others could find.
Many swift and strong,
Making sure the forest is protected from wrong.
There are many dangers ahead,
Mysterious creatures you might dread.
Feeding on the flesh of lost souls.
Under rocks and hollow holes.
Some were scared, but craved the feeling,
Of being full-fledged Ninjas and awesomely succeeding.


Sensei announced, “Your first test, it seems…”
“I will be splitting you all into two teams.”
“You will be turned against each other,”
“Brother versus brother.”
Picture
Facing off to play Trout, Bear, Mosquito

Then all of a sudden: a battle field,
Our animal skins became our shields.
Multi colored leaves stood near,
As if a rainbow of fallen temples were once here.
Our group noticed there were many people missing,
Then the wind began hissing.
“Go!” shouted Sensei. Our friends were sneering.
Glaring and staring, testing our hearing.
Ninjas triumphant in many rounds,
Each team member had their ups and downs.


At the end of the test we were pumped and wanted more,
Though our feet were sore.
“Fire in the forest!” someone shouts.
“Don’t get tagged, or you’re out!”
After that, we were very hot and tired,

Our Ninja suits were getting damp as we perspired.
Sitting down upon crunching leaves and grass,
What a coincidence! It was Fall at last!


Then an unnecessary talk about dying,
The new students thought they were lying.
Our teacher, so as not to cause confusion.
Interrupted our darkly humorous illusion.
He said that 'they were talking about shirts,
dyeing with walnuts from the Earth.'


It was time to journey to the creek,
Everyone was so excited, they could hardly speak.
Navigator Ninja led the way.
Everyone wanted to play.
Looking all around on this magnificent day.
Leaves in the shape of colorful birds,
Such beauty and wonder, we had no words.
Logs that were once home to killer Fairies,
We also saw wild blueberries,
And mushrooms that were hairy.
“Shh…” said Navigator Ninja, “I can hear water running,”
“and the trees humming.”
We all followed the sound of a rushing waterfall,
“Wow!” said us all.
 “Woohoo!” shouted the Ninja with deadly dance moves.
Splashing anyone dry with his awesome cool groove.
Picture
Kanoe prepares to plunge!


“We’re gonna need a fire.”
Said Sensei, “Even if you’re tired.”
We went to make a fire,
With the bow drill and not a lighter.
We all worked together collecting sticks,
Watching out for thorns and ticks.
Once the fire was lit, we all had a rest.
Everyone agreed the marshmallows were the best.
Picture
​All hands on deck for a group bow-drill fire!


“Now let me tell you a story about great wisdom and strength.”
“An escaped slave, who went to great lengths.”
Sensei’s voice lured us into the world of his story,
Generosity and glory.
At the end of his tale, we were sucked out of a dream.
We started to choke from the smoke, it seemed.
“Look over there!” A young Ninja shouted.
It was a snake, it didn’t look too great.
“I think it’s dead!” Another Ninja cried.
“At least we can’t see it’s insides.”
The hairs on our backs started to rise.


The sound of nature and one last goodbye,
Our chariots arrived.
Our eyes glowing with newfound wisdom inside,
Our chi (energy) will help us strive,

To cherish all that is alive.

1 Comment

A final class tale...fires, clay pots, and DOUBLE BALL!

11/12/2018

2 Comments

 
Bowie NL Field Report 10/25/2018

By Hamid
(student names changed for privacy)
Warning: Do not take personal. Joke included.


                We started the chilly day by gathering our burnished and sanded pots from Mr. Nick’s van. We headed into the woods to the fire pit to make a big fire and have a feast. We have a feast and play double ball on the last day of the session. 
​
After we got to the fire pit, we found lots of wood for the fire. Khaliyah lit the fire but everyone else found the wood and organized it. Everyone brought food and snacks for the feast. We had marshmallows, s’mores, hotdogs, cookies, chips and lots more. 

Picture
​Feasting in progress!

Khaliyah and Hannah helped sort out the food. The food was really good. Everyone enjoyed it. The most popular was the s’mores which was made with chocolate ice cream cones, graham crackers and marshmallows. I just realized that nobody told a story while we were having our feast!
​
After we ate, Mr. Nick and Serise fired our burnished pots. While our pots were in the fire Nolan taught everyone how to play double ball and find good sticks for the game. In double ball you need good sticks so the stick does not break while you are playing. The pots looked really good but many of them broke apart in the fire.  [This is how Mr. Nick learned the importance of pre-firing the pots right-side up!]  I did not fire my pot or let it break in the fire because I forgot to bring it!

Picture
​This pot came out beautifully!
​

After the pots were finished and the feast was over, we put out the fire, took our pots and cleaned up. We headed for the field to play double ball. 
Our hike was short because the field was so close to us. Once we arrived at the field we set up the goal posts and everybody got ready for the game. Seven on six with Mr. Nick, who counted as two players. Then we started playing the game. Mr. Nick saved a really close goal with 1 second remaining making the goal. In the end, my team won!

Picture
In the heat of the game!
​

After the game, we packed up our sticks, took out the goal posts, drank water and started hiking to the playground. Once we got there we had a closing circle. We also talked about our favorite part of the session since it was the last day. We said goodbye and good riddance!

2 Comments

Natural Leaders Quest

11/10/2018

1 Comment

 
​Bowie NL on October 18, 2018
By Khaliyah, age 16 
(student names changed for privacy)


Welcome fellow readers. Imagine you are sitting on a cozy chair, near a crackling fireplace, and sipping chamomile tea.
Our Tale begins…
We, thee animals of the Natural Leaders, small but mighty creatures, have followed thee request of thy Great and Mystical Wizard Grenier who is thee eldest owl of thy land. He is a mere ghost full of wisdom and power.
“Welcome thou brave pups, and kits.” Grenier’s calm yet commanding voice resonated off his dark ivory staff. The pups and kits stopped their yapping and immediately paid attention, for he had something very important to say. “Listen ye younglings, thou next mission is quite important, so no bunkum. Parrot, my trusty coordinator will lead ye through thou dangers and help thee avoid them. Wolf-pup and his trusty monkey sidekick will be our navigators. Ye must listen and follow them for thou lives depend on it. Now I must go, but don’t worry because I will watch over ye through my looking glass.” Then he struck his staff into the Earth and vanished.
“Vámonos amigos!” Wolf-pup yipped as he pranced forward with his monkey and purple backpack. We scrabbled in haste to follow him. Unexpectedly, we found ourselves surrounded by a huge circle.
Parrot hollered out before flying away to a nearby tree, “Thar nay dangers ahead! Thar NAY dangers ahead!” Thinking we eluded the shadow ninjas, a sigh of relief escaped until suddenly two menacing shadows appeared.
“Prepare for trouble!” the shadow ninja challenged looking as terrifying as a chicken wearing stilettos.
“Make it double!” challenged the other shadow ninja who pranced around vigorously with deathly dance moves.
“We are here to…” said the shadow ninjas in unison.
“Destroy the world with devastation.”
“Divide the animals within our nation.”
“Denounce the evils of truth and love.”
“Extend our reaches to the stars above.”
“We are here to test your might! Pass and move on, or fail and face a terrible fright.”
“But, I don’t want to play!” complained one of the kits as she stomped her paw to the ground and miraculously walked out of the circle harm free.
Thus, we began our first trial, minus one meow. We dodged, ducked, rolled and played like our lives depended on it. At the end we triumphed and continued on our mission. We passed many hills, trees, and streams as we frolicked along. It was bitterly cold and the wind blew through our knapsacks and stabbed our muzzles like little needles. Halted in our tracks, our most difficult trial stood before us. A Bridge as thin as a giants thumb laid across a chasm full of darkness and evil. “Oh dear! How shalt thou cross?” Parrot hollered before flying to the other side.
Picture
​Photo by Grenier
Each pup and kit took turns being careful not to break the fragile wooden planks. The daring pup Awesome Sauce back flipped, skipped, and tap danced across the bridge as she stuck her landing with one paw. The kits and pups clapped and praised Awesome Sauce as she bowed to the crowd.
Our next challenge was crossing the brambles and many logs that lay between us and our final destination. Sensing victory ahead, the pups and kits began chatting while the most wondrous creatures peered curiously at them through thorns and thickets. Fairies and elves holding magical devices took many a selfie to post on their Fairygram and ElfTube. We would soon be known throughout the land as famous and brave explorers.
Finally, we arrived at a desert where our prizes awaited us. We could literally smell the glory. 
Picture
​Photo by Zaq
Grenier lit a blazing fire full of enchantment. The fire roasted the most ancient and best hotdogs in all the world. Oh it was lovely! We warmed our paws and listened to a story about a sad king who yearned for happiness.

Picture
​Photo by Zaq


After our delicious feast, we toddled and scuttled back to the start of our journey, our tired paws pushing forward. The Great and Mystical Wizard Grenier handed each of us a prize for conquering the many trials and tribulations of our quest. Oh it was a wonderful prize!  A beautiful mystical goblet that was full of secrets of the forest and held the power of the trees. Our grand adventure now complete, we dispersed into our dens satisfied, tired, and ready for the next chapter of the Natural Leaders.
1 Comment

Big news! New programs start next week!

11/9/2018

2 Comments

 
Picture
                                               Homeschooling has never been this good!

                                    Discover the earth, discover friends, discover yourself!



                                               Our Virginia election results are in:

                                               The CENTREVILLE PROGRAM wins! 
​
                                                            We start next week!


                                                                  Register now

The program your child's been waiting for!

You can still register your child for the Natural Leaders program this Late Fall session, including 2 newly-listed programs:
  • Lorton - Mondays 10 - 3, started 11/5, details here.
  • Centreville - Tuesdays 10 - 3, starts 11/13, details here. NEW!
  • Reston - Thursdays 10 - 3, starts 11/8, details here.
  • Falls Church - Fridays 10 - 3, starts 11/9 - details here. NEW!
  • Crownsville - Thursdays 10 - 3, starts 11/13, details here
  • Bowie - Thursdays 10 - 3 - FULL
The Natural Leaders program will nourish your child's deep need for connection to friends and nature, while also giving him or her the most cutting edge youth leadership and wilderness survival trainingavailable.  We expect it to be the highlight of your child's homeschooling, the one day they look forward to the most each week!
 
About a typical day
 
A typical day includes old-school group games, student storytelling and safety presentations, exploring and nature play, and practicing wilderness survival skills.  All the activities are led by students, who draw on our online videos and tutorials.  Instructors coach, guide and support students in leading and learning from their roles.  
Picture
These boys try out the crayfish basket trap they just made.
Picture
Tag...You're it!  Old games, new ways, always fun.


​
Social and Leadership Skills
 
Sadly, today many homeschoolers and even school children have very little unstructured time to play and interact with peers. This is an unprecedented new development in human history.  The Natural Leaders program fosters an environment where students who are shy, socially awkward, or anxious can develop relationships and social confidence.  We have seen dramatic transformations, just over the last year.  At the same time, socially confidentstudents take their leadership skills to new levels through regular practice.   
 
Wilderness Survival & Nature Discovery
 
Most children today lack the opportunity to roam outside exploring local woods and creeks.  They are often fearful or uncomfortable in nature, or ignorant of the actual dangers.  We seek to foster the development of a life-long love of the outdoors.  Students experience nature through the seasons: windy and calm; rainy, snowy and dry; hot, cold and moderate.  Through long-term mentoring and repeated practice students grow increasingly confident and competent in wilderness survival skills like fire-making, shelter construction, and a variety of crafts like primitive pottery, wooden spoons, traps, cordage, and more.  Natural Leaders is perfect for both complete beginners and passionate explorers alike, who will each grow tremendously. 
 
Register risk free!

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  If at any time you decide that this program is not a good fit for your child, we will issue a prorated refund of tuition.

Questions or concerns?  

Reach out!

Nick Grenier 
Director
Natural Leaders
571-244-3793
naturalleaders.com
2 Comments

Top o' the Mornin' to Ya!

11/9/2018

0 Comments

 
Adventure report for Bowie NL on 10/4

By Nolan 

*British accent* 
Today was an extraordinary day. Twas amazing. Amazing, I say. The class started off as we frolicked over to our teacher, Mr Nick. "Toodili do!" he cried. "Karen! Teach us how to play a game!"
"Indubitably," she replied. And so, our dear Karen taught us to play a game called Tail Tag. 
"Todili do!" Mr Nick cried. "Let us set forth into the forest." And so we frolicked along. And as we were discussing gumdrops and rainbows and where to go next, we were suddenly attacked. 
By flying little angry LAZER WORMS.
"Toodili do!" Mr Nick exclaimed. "Run!" And so we all ran for our lives. Poor Karen was lazered five times in a row! And everyone crowded around her, asking if this horrible tragedy could possibly be true.
"Indubitably," she replied. Then Laura said in a thick Scottish accent,
"AYE, we be headin' to the creek now, AYE." And Mr Nick said,
"Toodili do! Let us set forth, to the creek!" So we froliky-dolideed over. And we dashingly ate our skippy-doodle lunch. And we all loved skipping our stones. And we were told a wonderful story. And we were told about safety. And unicorns! And gumdrops! And sunshine! And ponies! 
​
Picture
Student storyteller presenting at our creek-side lunch.

"Toodili do!" Mr Nick said. "Let's go and make baskets!"
"AYE. We should do that now, AYE." said Laura.
"Indubitably." commented Karen. So we frolicked along to create baskets with the wonderful imagination that our rainbow-y heads possessed.
"Hopscotch hooray!" exclaimed Nolan. "Tis a turtle amongst the leaves!"
"And tis feasting on the mushroomy goodness!" said Hamid.
​
Picture
"Toodili do! Be sure wash your wee little scrappy hands after you touch!" Mr Nick warned. So we frolicky frolidy-dod over to Wisteria Forest.
Hannah and Khaliyah told us to form the most miraculous baskets there could ever be.  Beautiful baskets, containing the wonders and joys of life in its purest and most happy form. Most of us only created semi-happy baskets, but some were truly able to capture joy and light. A gift from a friendly unicorn rider in the form of SUPER GREAT BASKETS was quite kind as well.
Picture
A student skills coach helps another student with her basket.

"Toodili do!" cried Mr Nick. "I believe we should now head back to our jolly little homes!" So we scrubbled back home, our clothing frightfully soiled and our wee grabbers awfully scratched. Nevertheless, we were all quite chipper and glad, our faces stretched into shining little grins. 
In the end, we had a truly splendiferous day!
In the words of Mr Nick, "Toodili do!"
0 Comments

AN ELF TALE

11/8/2018

2 Comments

 
​by Soria, age 9
A Crownsville Natural Leaders program adventure report for 10/30/2018
(Student names changed to protect privacy)

[Student leaders at the Natural Leaders program take turns each week writing the Adventure Report - a synopsis of that week's events at class. Many students take this opportunity to be creative and we get some great stories out of it! Be sure to check back over the next few days to see the rest of the reports from recent classes. We've really had some fun report recently!]


One day Huggo, the leader of the elf town, told all the other elves that Merra would teach them how to play a game called ''patentero'' In which elves try to run past the elves on guard, to the other  side of the arena without getting tagged.

After the game, Huggo brought the rest of the elves up ''Hamburger Hill''.  There the elves conjured up a roaring fire with their magical powers.
Picture
Photo by Loren, age 10
​

They roasted and ate sweet clouds, told elven tales, and made wooden tools.  
Picture
Photo by Loren, age 10

After the tales were told, all the elves traveled down 'Hamburger Hill' and found magical double ball staffs. After finding the staffs they gathered together and played an ancient elven game called 'double ball'.  
Picture
​Photo by Nick, instructor

Then they came together for a final farewell circle and went their ways.
2 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Natural Leaders 
    ​Blog

    Mentors, facilitators and students blog here.

    Archives

    June 2021
    February 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture
Natural Leaders
Contact
Terms & Conditions
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.