Bluff Lake Nature Center's (BLNC) Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment (OHE) program supports alternative education, providing an inclusive environment for all students. Many of our current students are neurodivergent, being diagnosed with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc., yet thrive in the educational environment we provide. Our 1:8 staff to student ratio and intentionally inclusive and adaptive curriculum ensures all students are given opportunities to learn in ways that suit their physical needs and individual learning styles, evidenced by the addition of another middle school class next year!

Currently we serve students from Kindergarten through 6th grade. OHE is broken up into 3 age groups that meet one day a week for the entire school year (up to 35 days for each class). Mondays are Kindergarten and 1st grade, Wednesdays are 4th through 6th grade, and Thursdays are 2nd and 3rd grade. OHE has a large community of committed students, several who commute 45+ minutes to participate in this program each week. In the 2026-2027 school year we will be expanding to include 7th and 8th grade due to strong interest from students and families.

All of our classes learn about similar concepts, at age appropriate levels. For example, our youngest class may learn about Leave No Trace and human impacts on the environment through the lens of pollution followed by a trash pick-up activity. In comparison, our oldest class may learn about the same concepts of Leave No Trace and human impacts on the environment through the lens of social trails and erosion, followed by building a fence to protect an overused piece of land. As a result of our adaptive and curiosity driven education, student families have shared positive feedback, including “My children are learning how to interact with different personalities, learning conflict resolution, and how to develop friendships” and “I appreciate the level of respect and communication my child receives from their teachers“.

OHE students work on a variety of projects and concepts throughout the year, combining social emotional learning, environmental science, team building, outdoor survival skills, risk management, and stewardship. Balancing structured lessons, spontaneous learning opportunities, and social development, students are exposed to a variety of hands-on, curiosity driven experiences in their very own community. They have the opportunity to see seasonal changes at BLNC and the impact that their stewardship efforts have.

OHE is state-funded, allowing students to attend for free. We aim to provide high-quality, meaningful learning experiences that meet children’s developmental needs, while fostering their natural curiosity. OHE offers a nurturing learning environment, experienced educators, and unique, hands-on learning opportunities that help build the foundation for the students future success. OHE’s classroom culture is very supportive, and can be described by our educators as challenge motivated, eco-literate, hyper-curious, and participation through the “challenge by choice” concept. Our classroom is nature, and varies day to day. We utilize the environment around us, the changing seasons and weather conditions.

Learn more about the OHE