Mock Homeschool Program Days
The 2023-2024 Academic Year Homeschool Program Enrollment will open to new families on May 15th, 2023*The Mock Day is not a trial day for Spring 2023 enrollment.
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Interested in having your student try out a day of our Homeschool Program before enrolling in the next Academic Year (Fall 2023)?
We're offering Mock Homeschool Days at our Springfield & Falls Church/Fairfax locations this spring. These days will run just as our Homeschool Program days do - 5 hours in the woods with 8-10 students led by one of our experienced instructors. Drop-off: 9:45am (NLT 10:00am) Pick-up: 3:00pm Suggested donation: $25 (typically valued at $60). Payable online via the signup below, cash, or check. Ages: 7-13+ years (Students who will be 7 by 9/1/23 are welcome to join). For students under-7, checkout our Under 7 Waitlist & Pilot Program. Springfield, VA -
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Outdoor Games
Run, jump, play in the woods with other students. Learn & invent new games!
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Skill BuildingLeadership development, shelter building, fire-making, wilderness safety & navigation.
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Nature ExplorationEngage in the natural world. Spring is a great time to meet and learn about local plants & animals!
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Additional Details:
How to prepare:
Lead Facilitator Information:
Nick Grenier (bio)
nick.grenier@naturalleaders.com
571-244-3793
Debra “Debbie” Nixon (bio)
debra.nixon@naturalleaders.com
571-320-7453
Deanna Lethbridge (bio)
deannaleth.nl@gmail.com
301-980-0483
Group Details:
Bethesda - Thursday, May 18th, 2023
Location: Cabin John Regional Park
Address: 7400 Tuckerman Ln, Bethesda, MD 20817 (map)
Pickup/Drop-off: Playground parking area
Falls Church - Wednesday, May 17th, 2023
Location: Eakin Park, Fairfax, VA
Address: 3401 Prosperity Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031 (map)
Pickup/Drop-off: Please use the circular parking off of Prosperity Ave for drop off/pickup [map]. Students will gather on the grass beside the parking lot. There is a playground down the trail from the park should you arrive early.
Springfield - Wednesday, May 10th, 2023
Location: Brookfield Park & Accotink Stream Valley Park
Address: 7417 Floyd Ave, Springfield, VA 22150
Details: Small parking area at the intersection of Floyd Ave. & Dickinson St. Right next to 7431 Dickenson St, Springfield, VA 22150 (map)
Drop-off: 9:45 am (try to arrive by 10:00am)
Pick-up: 3:00 pm (no later than 3:15pm)
The Homeschool Program is a drop-off program, parents do not stay to observe the program during the day. Parental presence can impact group dynamics and does not provide the opportunity for students to experience the program independently. We invite families to checkout the parks ahead of the program day to get a feel for the location and if there are questions for the instructor you can reach out via email (above) or check in a few minutes early to chat during drop-off. If you are unsure about whether your student is developmentally ready to be away for the day, it might be worthwhile to wait to enroll until they feel more confident.
Morning communications: Usually the group will be playing games near the drop-off area for the first 15 - 30 minutes of the program. If you are running more than 10 minutes late, please text the instructor your ETA. If something comes up and you are not able to attend, please text the instructor (contact info above) so the group is not waiting for you.
Severe weather: In general, our preference is to meet even if weather conditions are challenging, because we consider it a valuable learning opportunity. That said, we try to avoid being out in active lightning storms, and snow/ice can make driving a problem. If there is uncertainty in the forecast, we generally notify you by email the night before to be on a weather alert, and then send out a follow-up email in the morning based on the latest forecast, regarding any change in schedule. If there is an unexpected worsening of the forecast in the morning that had not been anticipated, we may only notify you in the morning. Over the past several years we’ve rarely rescheduled, but we continue to watch the weather and adapt as needed.
- Add care@naturalleaders.com to your contacts so you do not miss any essential program communications. (Our emails can sometimes end up in spam!)
- Complete the emergency contact information & health profile by logging into Enrollsy and updating your child's account (available after you sign up above).
- Dress for the weather! Be sure to check the weather forecast carefully. See our gear list for some guidelines. You will not need all of the gear on the gear list for your mock day, mainly focus on weather-appropriate clothing & footwear.
- Bring a backpack with food and water. There will be an opportunity to break for lunch.
- Check for ticks after the program. See our suggestions for tick safety here.
- Email us if your child has any allergies or conditions we should be aware of, and remind the instructor about these on the morning of the program.
Lead Facilitator Information:
Nick Grenier (bio)
nick.grenier@naturalleaders.com
571-244-3793
Debra “Debbie” Nixon (bio)
debra.nixon@naturalleaders.com
571-320-7453
Deanna Lethbridge (bio)
deannaleth.nl@gmail.com
301-980-0483
Group Details:
Bethesda - Thursday, May 18th, 2023
Location: Cabin John Regional Park
Address: 7400 Tuckerman Ln, Bethesda, MD 20817 (map)
Pickup/Drop-off: Playground parking area
Falls Church - Wednesday, May 17th, 2023
Location: Eakin Park, Fairfax, VA
Address: 3401 Prosperity Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031 (map)
Pickup/Drop-off: Please use the circular parking off of Prosperity Ave for drop off/pickup [map]. Students will gather on the grass beside the parking lot. There is a playground down the trail from the park should you arrive early.
Springfield - Wednesday, May 10th, 2023
Location: Brookfield Park & Accotink Stream Valley Park
Address: 7417 Floyd Ave, Springfield, VA 22150
Details: Small parking area at the intersection of Floyd Ave. & Dickinson St. Right next to 7431 Dickenson St, Springfield, VA 22150 (map)
Drop-off: 9:45 am (try to arrive by 10:00am)
Pick-up: 3:00 pm (no later than 3:15pm)
The Homeschool Program is a drop-off program, parents do not stay to observe the program during the day. Parental presence can impact group dynamics and does not provide the opportunity for students to experience the program independently. We invite families to checkout the parks ahead of the program day to get a feel for the location and if there are questions for the instructor you can reach out via email (above) or check in a few minutes early to chat during drop-off. If you are unsure about whether your student is developmentally ready to be away for the day, it might be worthwhile to wait to enroll until they feel more confident.
Morning communications: Usually the group will be playing games near the drop-off area for the first 15 - 30 minutes of the program. If you are running more than 10 minutes late, please text the instructor your ETA. If something comes up and you are not able to attend, please text the instructor (contact info above) so the group is not waiting for you.
Severe weather: In general, our preference is to meet even if weather conditions are challenging, because we consider it a valuable learning opportunity. That said, we try to avoid being out in active lightning storms, and snow/ice can make driving a problem. If there is uncertainty in the forecast, we generally notify you by email the night before to be on a weather alert, and then send out a follow-up email in the morning based on the latest forecast, regarding any change in schedule. If there is an unexpected worsening of the forecast in the morning that had not been anticipated, we may only notify you in the morning. Over the past several years we’ve rarely rescheduled, but we continue to watch the weather and adapt as needed.
