About Us
Linda Grinthal
When I found myself pregnant for the third time, I knew I would leave my on-the-road financial planning career in favor of something I could do to help meet expenses, yet have fun raising my family.
I moved with my family to a 20-acre farm property, which was basically field and woods. We had a home built overlooking a beautiful view of Sussex County, N.J. and I became a Family Home Provider, offering a daycare program with a wholesome difference!
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First, Farm Fun DayCare
Farm Fun Day Care became a unique child care service in Andover Twp., NJ, offering a fun and educational alternative to traditional day care, pre-school and other specialized children's programs. Our farmland offers breathtaking views of nature, and a self-contained nature classroom.
By running Farm Fun Daycare, I was able to care for five children, plus my own, right in our home. It was obvious that the children wanted to play outdoors most of the time, and I enjoyed daily opportunities to teach them about animals, plants and insects. The families who entrusted their children to me were very special, in that they had a love for nature, and shared my belief that children grow, learn and thrive best when allowed to explore the outdoors.
Our interest in nature grew and we began to build our 'outdoor classroom'. Working together, we created an area that included a large children’s garden, a woods circle, and a rough and tumble play area. The children were fascinated most by the garden; we started seeds, planted, watched the garden grow, picked weeds, fertilized, examined bugs, and harvested.
With help from staff and parents, we built a barn/activity center, and created three more gardens: a butterfly garden, an herb garden and a potato/garlic patch. We made a hiking trail through our woods and created an animal area where we care for farm animals.
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Next, our 'Certified Nature Explore Classroom'
In my research about outdoor 'classroom' activities, I found information about the Arbor Day Foundation and a new program called the 'Certified Nature Explore Classroom' that sounded like what I was already doing!
I so agreed with their whole philosophy teaching children through nature, that I ordered their book on how to become a Certified Nature Explore Classroom. After studying the materials, I saw that we were already three-quarters of the way there, so there was no doubt in my mind that we were going to go the rest of the way, and become the first Child Care Center to get this certification.
Additional 'Certified Nature Explore Classroom' requirements led us to build a natural playground, with railroad tie balance beams, tree stump climbing steps, a building area where they can use cut up tree stumps and branches, rocks and sticks with which to build, stepping stones on which to play hopscotch, and a touch board in the middle to identify feathers, leaves, nuts, etc.
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We turned our woods circle into a music circle, with tree stumps and hay bales to sit on, and it is here that we teach harmonica. We decided on Native American Studies as a special interest unit, and set up a beautiful teepee in which children can sit and play with the headdress, tom toms and other appropriate educational items.
It took a bit of planning and teamwork, but in September 2007, the Arbor Day Foundation informed us that we passed the certification requirements proving that we are dedicated to teaching and nurturing in nature. We are proud to say that ours was the first Child Care Center in the country to become a 'Certified Nature Explore Classroom'! We now hope to share our breath-taking view of nature from our nature explore classroom with people of all ages in an effort to bring America back to the outdoors.
We are pleased to share an article published on the Arbor Day Foundation web site on October 3, 2007 about our 'Certified Nature Explore Classroom'...
ArborDayFoundation-Andover, NJ.
May 14, 2008
Dear Certified Nature Explore Classroom contacts,
Thank you for the work you are doing to make nature part of the daily lives of children. We continue to hear how important and impactful these nature-rich outdoor learning environments are proving to be for children and their families. All of you have been models in this growing national initiative. Here are just a few of MANY sites where new Nature Explore Classrooms are underway.
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Washington state
Anacostia National Park in Washington, D.C.
National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.
Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia
U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Training Center in West Virginia
Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle
Hooper Elementary in Los Angeles
... You are welcome and encouraged to use the “Certified Nature Explore™ Classroom” logo... It recognizes you as part of a growing network of schools and organizations committed to reconnecting children with nature.
... Again, thank you for the outstanding work you each are doing to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Best regards,
Susan Wirth
Education Director, Arbor Day Foundation
Dimensions Educational Research Foundation Trainer
e-mail: swirth@arbordayfarm.org
Visit www.ArborDay.org
"Even if I knew the world would end tomorrow, I would plant a tree today." - Martin Luther King, Jr
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Now Destination... COUNTRY!
As our Nature Classroom evolved, so did our desire to share our creation with more than just daycare children who spent each day with us. Their parents and siblings seemed so fascinated with our farm, nature playground, gardens and all the outdoor activities that we had created.
When one mother asked us about having her son's birthday party at Farm Fun, a new idea was born!
Sure, we could accomodate Country Birthday Parties! And picnics. And why not invite children to enjoy our 'Certified Nature Explore Classroom' and Nature Programs for school trips? The possibilities keep growing... We could offer rental of our barn and facilities for Scout Troops and church groups.
Where will you go for your next event?
Destination...COUNTRY!
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