Urban EcologY Level 1 (ages 6 - 8)

2024 Registration is Now Open!

$260.00 per semester

*Class size limited to 20 students

Course Overview for Urban ecology level 1:

• Cost: $260 per semester (April - October)

  • GROW is a small, mostly volunteer operated, nonprofit organization that is committed to keeping costs for education as low as possible while upholding our standards for quality programming. Tuition fees help cover basic operating expenses related to the program such as staffing and supplies used by students (including the costs associated with developing the project site.) A portion of all tuition payments also goes back into Metro Parks department to help sustain our public parks lands for future generations. Funding for other aspects of our organization’s work in the community come from sources such as charitable donations, corporate sponsorship, fundraising efforts, and grants.

  • GROW seeks to offer environmental enrichment opportunities to all learners, regardless of household income. Please contact us if you are in need of financial assistance.

• Age range: This class is intended for students ages 6 to 8 years old.

• Time: Tuesdays, 10:00am - 1:00pm

• Date range:

  • Semester 1: April - June, 2024

  • Semester 2: August - October, 2024

• Location: Two Rivers Park, Donelson

• Content: environmental science with specific attention to flora and fauna identification, life cycles, habitats, environmental pressures/threats, and the interrelationships between these things

• Activity level: HIGH!

• Parent/guardians take turns volunteering as helpers

• “Drop-off” style program

• Covid Policy:

  • The health and safety of our community is our first priority- it's why we started this organization in the first place! We continue to monitor CDC and local guidance related to COVID-19. Currently, we do not require masks for any youth or adults volunteering with us or participating in our programming. As a youth-focused organization, this is consistent with the updated Metro Nashville Public Schools policy ending its universal mask requirements on March 11, 2022. Furthermore, all of our programs are held outdoors, where research has shown the risk of COVID-19 transmission is minimal. That said, out of respect for your fellow community members, we ask that if either you or your child are sick, please stay home until you are feeling better. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

In an effort to better achieve our program goals, we have created an environmental program tailored to the specific needs of our lower elementary age learners. This program has been designed to have a high degree of physical activity, experiential learning, and community development. Through the course of the season we’ll cover a wide range of ecological studies, across several micro-ecosystems located on the property, while building base knowledge of sustainable land management practices under the ‘permaculture’ movement model. this program follows a consistent routine with flexible content, allowing some space for students to be involved in guiding their learning journeys. A typical day at this program includes the following schedule:

• Drop off (near the Two Rivers Dog Park)

• Hike through the forest on the McGavock Spring-house Trail (occasionally we will divert some of our education time towards exploring the springs and forest system)

• “High Five” welcome circle (a special element designed to build a sense of community belonging within the group)

• Snack (*peanut-free please, we have students with life-threatening allergies!)

• Group lesson/activity

• Free choice nature play time (an important time for students to build peer relationships and practice conflict resolution skills)

• Dismissal

These elements have been carefully selected to create an engaging space for your child to explore nature, build their confidence, and make lasting friendships. Students in this program will participate in various elements of developing and caring for the GROW project site (such as growing and harvesting the gardens, expanding trails, and building new elements within the nature playground area.) Each program day will (normally) include a garden or project site-related task that is tied to the educational unit for the day.

Parents of this age group are asked to volunteer as a program helper

• Why We Ask Parents to Volunteer:

  • This is a key aspect of the program which serves many functions. In addition to helping us keep the cost of our program low while providing ample adult supervision, this participation more importantly provides the means for us to build a sense of community. By volunteering regularly, you'll be able to connect with other families in the program on a deeper level and, in turn, become more connected to the larger GROW community.

  • Parent volunteers assist in various ways depending on the program. Tasks might include helping students on the hike, assisting them in a simple gardening task, and providing supervision for free-choice nature time. Each of these activities offers you an opportunity to expand your own knowledge and skill set while also having fun with your child. Thank you in advance for your participation in this parent-involved model for our program.