Philosophy
Mountainside Nature School's curriculum is built upon six core pillars. The six pillars are Community, Play, Crafting, Natural History, Harvesting, and Fire. These six pillars are naturally woven into the seasonal framework of each Mountainside program. They provide a broad range of activities and experiences for the students to engage with; some are naturals with Play and experience challenges with Crafting, while others are naturals with Fire but are challenged by Community. The six pillars are designed to provide a comprehensive and balanced approach to outdoor learning and nature connection.
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Mountainside also follows in the tradition of coyote mentoring, which focuses on the learning and growth of students rather than the imparting of knowledge from teachers. Students will have the chance to learn, grow, and discover new things everyday on their own time. The outdoor environment and changing seasons provide infinite opportunities for exploration of all kinds.
Community - Songs, stories, personal growth, relationship to one another
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Play - Joy for life, forest games, spontaneity, sharpening our senses, silliness, honing animal instincts
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Crafting - Wood carving, weaving, twining, shelters, bushcraft
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Natural History - Fluency with the natural world, knowing plant, animal, and fungi names, animal tracking, bird language, phenology, sit spot, nature journaling, nature museum​
Harvesting - Being in direct relationship with the land, eatings plants and berries, harvesting materials for crafts, herbal and medicinal plants
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Fire - Friction fire, tending the hearth, cooking
6 Pillars
Meet Robby
Robby is a calm, patient, and energetic teacher who loves to teach and learn through games, play, stories, and songs. He honed his teaching and mentoring style through years of experience at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Overland, YMCA Outdoor Leadership, Mt. Rainier Institute, Wilderness Awareness School, and Bell Creek Nature School.
A Chicago transplant, Robby has enjoyed making the PNW his home in the past five years by connecting to the seasons, wildlife, and people. When he’s not teaching, you can find him camping out near a river, looking for animal tracks, pulling weeds in his backyard, or reading a good book.​
Certifications
- Wilderness First Responder / CPR Certified
- BA in Biology
- Masters Certificate of Environmental Education and Sustainability
- Professional Track and Sign Certification through Track and Sign North America
Every day at Mountainside will be filled with adventure and guided by the six pillars. With our small group, we have the flexibility to explore new places and change plans on the fly according to what excites and interests us in the moment. A spoon carving session might be derailed by the sight of an owl swooping silently through the trees. A game of foxtails might be interrupted when a mole pokes its head out of the ground. While each day is unique, you can expect a typical Mountainside day to include hikes, games, crafts, play, songs, stories, sit spots, and natural history.
A Typical Day
Vision
Mountainside Nature School was created so that kids in Whatcom County can continue to learn, play, and grow while outdoors. With a growing movement of outdoor preschools and nature-based learning, Mountainside Nature School is a place where kids can learn outside for their whole childhood. The school is designed for long-term mentoring of students. Students can join when they are in 2nd or 3rd grade and continue throughout middle school and beyond.