Children laughing, birds singing, flowers, leaves, and plenty of mud.
This is what Tonielle Christensen and Samantha Jurgens love, and for them, their Nature Kids Club Program isn't work - it's a joy.
The co-founders of the program are passionate about getting kids exactly where they thrive - out in nature.
The permaculture-based program came about because of a common passion. Tonielle has been consulting and designing permaculture landscapes for over a decade, as well as teaching permaculture workshops and courses through her Earth Mumma business. And it was during a 16-day permaculture design course that Sam fell in love with permaculture.
She came back again for another course, and that was it. "It created such a big shift in my life," she said.
And with that, she moved up to Kuranda, Queensland. Sam said at the time her daughter was five years old, and attending courses was difficult with a child, as it was for many people.
"But my daughter was hanging out with people who were teaching us about permaculture," she said.
It was then Tonielle came up with the idea for the Nature Kids Club. "People would say 'I would love to come to a course, but I've got children'," she said. "So the idea evolved quite organically. I'm super passionate about families learning permaculture together."
So the Nature Kids Club sprouted to life in 2019, which began as a school holiday program. The idea behind the program is learning about permaculture while enjoying nature play. It is themed with the seasons, and focuses on natural cycles and down to earth living. And it was a huge hit. "It started as three days, but then the kids didn't want to leave."
But then COVID-19 hit, so Tonielle and Sam had to rethink ways to help children engage with nature.
And so their online program was born. It is a year-long permaculture program for families, filled with wonderful nature play which involves the principles of permaculture.
Sam said the self-paced program included nature-based activities and games, including craft with objects from nature, planting and growing seeds, kids' stretches and yoga. It also includes zero waste challenges, mindfulness and observation charts to help to get to know the things around them, such as celebrating seasons and moon cycles.
They also do plenty of 'upcycling' - making use of everyday items, such as toilet rolls for craft.
It also includes a wonderful Book of Kin, which is a living document where the entire family can store their creations and learnings.
"We want kids to get to know there are always resources for them. They get to understanding the ethics and principles, and these principles then become habits," she said. "They are building habits for being sustainable through play."
They said because living sustainably can be overwhelming, this introduces simple lifestyle choices through fun.
Tonielle said the program was really important because many kids sought out time in front of the television or phone.
"But this is about more green time, less screen time," she said. "It's a boredom buster. It is bringing back ideas of going outside and reminding them that nature can provide you with things you can play with."
It is bringing back ideas of going outside and reminding them that nature can provide you with things you can play with.
- Tonielle Christensen, Nature Kids Club Program
- Visit.earthmumma.co/Naturekids. Download a free 52 Nature Inspired Activities eBook at earthmumma.co/free-natureplay-ebook. Use code perma culture4usprogram discount for a discount on the Nature Kids Club program.