School year Programs
We will be offering the following nature-connection enrichment programs for the 2025-2026 school-year.
Wild Tenders
Mondays and Wednesdays 9am-3pm, ages 7-12
In this program, children will spend their days on the land, exploring and learning, playing games and hearing songs and stories that weave together the tales of the dynamic relationships that occur among the many beings that inhabit mother earth. As they explore these relationships, they learn through play, curiosity and questioning, which feels fun and engaging, while also building self-confidence, awareness, and understanding. Over time, through regular interaction with the land and other participants, the children develop a strong sense of community and begin to understand the true significance of inter-connection, cooperation and collaboration.
**Please note, our Leaf-Hoppers program has been canceled for the 25/26 school year**
We hope to offer it again next year! If you are interested in having your child participate, please sign up for our interest list here:
We hope to offer it again next year! If you are interested in having your child participate, please sign up for our interest list here:
program details
Our programs run from September through May, and additionally includes a handful of outside-of-program activities, such as family outings, parent education nights and seasonal celebrations. Because of the focus our philosophy has on community -building and mentorship, it is highly important that you mark your calendar and participate in these extra-curricular events. You will be provided with an academic year calendar that will allow you to prepare for these events well in advance.
Our program takes place fully outdoors except in particularly challenging weather. We are committed to the comfort and safety of all participants and have access to shelter and heated indoor space when needed. We operate on private land 10 minutes south of Durango, with available shelter, pasture and forest, though there may occasionally be field trips to other wild places in the area.
Parents are responsible for providing weather appropriate clothing, water, food, snacks and sun protection. Children will need a comfortable backpack in which to carry their things, and weather-appropriate shoes and layers in order to participate.
You may choose to attend either Mondays or Wednesdays, or attend both. Curriculum and activities will be varied enough to support children attending both days. This is a year-long program, running from September to May. We do not allow drop-in or short-term attendance. For the stability of our program, as well as support for our philosophy, we require a year-long commitment and a non-refundable $200 deposit upon registration. Extenuating circumstances to this agreement can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Our program takes place fully outdoors except in particularly challenging weather. We are committed to the comfort and safety of all participants and have access to shelter and heated indoor space when needed. We operate on private land 10 minutes south of Durango, with available shelter, pasture and forest, though there may occasionally be field trips to other wild places in the area.
Parents are responsible for providing weather appropriate clothing, water, food, snacks and sun protection. Children will need a comfortable backpack in which to carry their things, and weather-appropriate shoes and layers in order to participate.
You may choose to attend either Mondays or Wednesdays, or attend both. Curriculum and activities will be varied enough to support children attending both days. This is a year-long program, running from September to May. We do not allow drop-in or short-term attendance. For the stability of our program, as well as support for our philosophy, we require a year-long commitment and a non-refundable $200 deposit upon registration. Extenuating circumstances to this agreement can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Tuition Information
We have 3 payment options available for those wishing to participate in our program:
1. State Funding
We are excited to share that we can now offer funding through the Colorado Homeschool Enrichment Program (CHE)! This program will allow Wild Tenders to attend 1 day-per-week for FREE, and two days-per-week at a reduced cost, and Leaf Hoppers to attend both days at no cost, if they are not enrolled in another state-funded program (such as shared school, Willowbend, etc.). If you'd like to enroll in this program, you will need to complete the enrollment process for both CHE and Wild Soul. Please also note that if you have a Leaf-hopper, they will need to attend both days to get enough hours to qualify for CHE.
2. Monthly or year-long out-of-pocket payment
For those paying out of pocket, our rates for the year are as follows. Monthly payments are due the 1st of the month Sep-May.
1 day/week Wild-Tenders
$1800 total (plus $200 deposit) - $200/month
2 days/week Wild Tenders
$3400 total (plus $200 deposit) - $380/month
1 day/week Leaf-Hoppers
$1200 total (plus $200 deposit) - $135/month
2 days/week Leaf-Hoppers
$2400 total (plus $200 deposit) - $270/month
Siblings receive a 10% discount on total tuition cost
3. Tuition Assistance
We also will be offering a limited number of tuition assistance scholarships, which will cover 25 or 50 percent of total tuition costs. Our tuition assistance team will make the decision on who receives these scholarships based on a number of factors, including income and family size, alignment with the values of our program and whether or not you are receiving funding through CHE. If you'd like to apply, please contact us!
1. State Funding
We are excited to share that we can now offer funding through the Colorado Homeschool Enrichment Program (CHE)! This program will allow Wild Tenders to attend 1 day-per-week for FREE, and two days-per-week at a reduced cost, and Leaf Hoppers to attend both days at no cost, if they are not enrolled in another state-funded program (such as shared school, Willowbend, etc.). If you'd like to enroll in this program, you will need to complete the enrollment process for both CHE and Wild Soul. Please also note that if you have a Leaf-hopper, they will need to attend both days to get enough hours to qualify for CHE.
2. Monthly or year-long out-of-pocket payment
For those paying out of pocket, our rates for the year are as follows. Monthly payments are due the 1st of the month Sep-May.
1 day/week Wild-Tenders
$1800 total (plus $200 deposit) - $200/month
2 days/week Wild Tenders
$3400 total (plus $200 deposit) - $380/month
1 day/week Leaf-Hoppers
$1200 total (plus $200 deposit) - $135/month
2 days/week Leaf-Hoppers
$2400 total (plus $200 deposit) - $270/month
Siblings receive a 10% discount on total tuition cost
3. Tuition Assistance
We also will be offering a limited number of tuition assistance scholarships, which will cover 25 or 50 percent of total tuition costs. Our tuition assistance team will make the decision on who receives these scholarships based on a number of factors, including income and family size, alignment with the values of our program and whether or not you are receiving funding through CHE. If you'd like to apply, please contact us!
It is possible that you may take advantage of all of these funding options, or some combination to pay for your child's participation. Please reach out if you want to discuss specifics about your family's situation! Tuition payments can be made in one lump sum or broken up into monthly payments.
A non-refundable $200 deposit will be required on registration to reserve your spot regardless of the payment option you choose.
A non-refundable $200 deposit will be required on registration to reserve your spot regardless of the payment option you choose.
Registration and payment links
Registration for Wild Tenders is still open! For registration instructions, please contact us!
Registration for the Colorado Homeschool Enrichment Program is closed for the 25/26 school year
The Fine Print
**Please note: registration does reserve you a spot, but does not guarantee acceptance into the program. While we will do all we can to make our programs accessible to all, we reserve the right to ensure we are a good fit for each other and that it is within our ability to meet your child's needs before their spot is guaranteed. We place great importance on the physical and emotional health and safety of all our participants, and make decisions accordingly. If for some reason we decide we are not a good match for you and your child, your deposit will be fully refunded. For school-year applicants, we will schedule an interview prior to the beginning of the school year to check in and discuss any concerns. In all other cases, the deposit is non-refundable.
We also need to meet minimum enrollment numbers and have qualified staff to make a program work. If we have not met our necessary enrollment numbers or cannot find appropriate instructors, the program in question may be canceled. In this case you will receive a full refund for any deposit or tuition paid. Please register promptly! Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!**
**Please note: registration does reserve you a spot, but does not guarantee acceptance into the program. While we will do all we can to make our programs accessible to all, we reserve the right to ensure we are a good fit for each other and that it is within our ability to meet your child's needs before their spot is guaranteed. We place great importance on the physical and emotional health and safety of all our participants, and make decisions accordingly. If for some reason we decide we are not a good match for you and your child, your deposit will be fully refunded. For school-year applicants, we will schedule an interview prior to the beginning of the school year to check in and discuss any concerns. In all other cases, the deposit is non-refundable.
We also need to meet minimum enrollment numbers and have qualified staff to make a program work. If we have not met our necessary enrollment numbers or cannot find appropriate instructors, the program in question may be canceled. In this case you will receive a full refund for any deposit or tuition paid. Please register promptly! Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!**
For more about our philosophy and curriculum, or what a day might look like for our students, please visit the About page.
To get in touch with our director, please fill out and submit the form below and we will reach out to you shortly!
