Environmental Studies

Outdoor Classroom

At Providence, we acknowledge the child’s innate curiosity for nature.

Our five acre campus lends itself to a wide range of environmental activities providing students countless opportunities to see firsthand the interconnected relationships in nature.  Outdoor learning leads students to an understanding of their own place within this framework.  This global perspective leads students to live what they learn with an emphasis placed on conserving resources and protecting the environment.  It also nurtures a respect for all living things and teaches children the value of collaborative effort.

Our outdoor classroom includes a native plant butterfly garden from which the children collect plant and animal specimens for observation.  The organic vegetable garden is always a work in progress. Over several years, it has unfolded into various experiments. Native American plants such as gourds, corn, squash, beans and sunflowers have been grown and harvested. 

As students return to school in August from summer break, the blackberries grown on our campus are ready to be picked and enjoyed.  In autumn, our apple tree is ready to be harvested.  Students at all levels enjoy its bounty - from the toddler and primary children practicing apple chopping/slicing, to the elementary students who put the apples to good use by making homemade applesauce or baking an apple crisp for classmates to enjoy.

The classrooms at Providence have been designed so that each classroom has its own garden patio. The children take turns caring for plants and filling bird feeders. In addition, composting and recycling are an integral part of our day. Raingardens and bioswales throughout our campus reinforce our commitment to environmental stewardship.