Under-7 Program & Waitlist


​Natural Leaders' Homeschool Program format and curriculum is designed for students 7 and older.

If you are interested in your student joining the Natural Leaders Homeschool Program in Fall 2023, but your child is not yet 7 or will not be 7 by 9/7/2023, please review information about our Under 7 Program or signup for the waitlist below.

Under-7 Program
Fall 2023 - June 2024

We are often asked: Will Natural Leaders host any homeschool programs for students under 7?  Due to interested garnered from our 2022 waitlist, we were able to open a successful Under-7 Pilot Program Spring 2023 and will run 2 groups this coming Fall 2023. Students ages 6-7yrs are eligible.

'23-'24 RESTON WEDNESDAYS: UNDER-7
'23-'24 SPRINGFIELD THURSDAYS: UNDER-7

Under-7 Waitlist

If you are not able to participate in the Under-7 Groups offered Fall 2023 but would still like to apply for the Homeschool Program, the Under-7 waitlist is for you!

Please review "Eligibility" & "Waitlist Process" below before signing up. The waitlist will be reviewed for eligibility on an ongoing basis and families will be contacted with more information as space become available their student in their desired program location/day.

Learn more about Natural Leaders' Homeschool Program!

Eligibility
Students are eligible to enroll in the Homeschool Program the day they turn 7 years old.

Beyond age, some considerations for new NL homeschool students include:
  • stamina during long distance hikes over variable terrain (ranging 1 - 3 miles per day)
  • previous outdoor/nature-based experience
  • comfort level outside/getting dirty/facing adverse weather conditions
  • self-reliant/comfortable with back-country bathroom use
  • ability to follow the directions of an instructor, learn & adhere to basic safety precautions
  • ability and awareness to stay with the group
  • ability to express emotions in a safe and helpful way
  • ability to work/play collaboratively and respectfully with others
  • comfort level being away from home/parents for the duration of the day (5 hours)
  • ability to move on from one activity to the next (packing up gear to move to a new location, transitioning from games to lunchtime, etc.)
Questions about curriculum, gear, and program readiness can be directed to operations@naturalleaders.com.
We encourage families of new students to try out a few hikes together with a backpack, spend some time out in the rain, play in the creek, or dive into some of the topics available on our LEARN! tab.
 

Waitlist Process
  1. Sign up! Complete account (if new to NL's registration platform - Enrollsy) & student profile. In the "outdoor experience" section please provide a response to considerations listed above.

  2. If you have preferred days of the week, enter them as a note into the "GROUP PREFERENCES" section on the enroll form.

  3. Select your desired program location at the "Group Selection" step. Leave all other drop-downs unchanged.

  4. Your application will be reviewed by Natural Leaders.

  5. When your student becomes eligible & there is space in your desired program day/location, NL will reach out about scheduling a trial day for your student. Please add care@naturalleaders.com to your contacts to be sure the message does not end up in your spam folder!

  6. Your student will attend a trial day with their Homeschool Group.

  7. If it is a good fit (for your student & the group they are placed with), the Natural Leaders Care Team (care@naturalleaders.com) will work to process the enrollment in accordance with our registration policies.
Questions about registration can be directed to care@naturalleaders.com. Someone will get back to you soon!
JOIN THE WAITLIST