Investigating The Outdoors

This registration form is for the PM Session:

1:00PM - 4:00PM

 

About Investigating the Outdoors

Age Range: 9-12 years old

Description: A fully outdoor class designed for exploration and learning. Including supplemental lessons & experience in Environmental Education

Weekly Focus: Each week features a unique lesson, including:

• Plant & Wildlife identification
• Fishing & Archery experiences
• Planet's natural and ecological facts and changes
• Animals, flowers, insects
• Time to explore and play with friends
• An end-of-semester "Surthrive Project"

Our programming integrates social-emotional benefits which nature provides through reflective nature journaling and encouraging individual interests. The class is balanced with social opportunities like group work, in-class games, and time to just laugh and have fun with friends. 

We provide hands-on experiences to learn about these topics presented by Nature Ninos staff or by one of our knowledgeable community partners. These include creating art projects, exploring the natural space, investigating science materials, or practicing skills.

 

Notes for Parents

First Class: The first session will be a brief introductory class, including a mandatory 30-minute meeting for parents/guardians to meet the instructors and discuss semester details.

Class Locations: Classes will be held in public, open spaces in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho. All final class locations will be listed in the Family Handbook which will be sent out 2 weeks prior to classes starting. Example of class locations from past classes include: 

• Los Poblanos Open Space
• Rio Grande Bosque
• Bachechi Open Space
• Montaño area river trails

Family Hike Days: A parent/guardian is required to attend the entire class, and other siblings are welcome to join. We would love to enjoy the day with the entire family!

On-Site Policy: Parents/guardians may choose to stay on-site or drop off and return after the class. For those who stay, we provide a designated area where you can observe the class, meet other parents, and support your child's independent growth as needed.

Volunteer: Adults may consdier volunteering in class on instructor-requested dates. There is also the opportunity to serve as guest speakers if families have outdoor-related skills or knowledge they’d love to share (fly tying, outdoor first aid, nature drawing, outdoor safety, etc.)

Class Minimum: To successfully run this class there must be a minimum of 12 students enrolled. If class numbers are low we may need to cancel a session (AM or PM). If that occurs families will have the opportunity to get a refund or move their child to the other class.

Arqueros del Bosque: ADB Archers is a Nature Niños teen program centered on archery, land stewardship, outdoor skills, leadership development, and food sovereignty. Designed for ages 13-18, the program responds directly to community need by creating a pathway for older youth to remain engaged and build advanced skills through consistent outdoor experiences. The name Arqueros del Bosque (“Archers of the Bosque”) reflects both place-based identity and the guiding principle of the program:“Donde la tierra guía la flecha.” Where the land guides the arrow. Please return to our main website to read more information or register for ADB Archers. 

Save Your Spot for Spring 2026

At this time, we are not collecting full registrations for Arqueros del Bosque. Instead, we’re asking families to complete a simple “Save Your Spot” form so we can gauge interest and commitment for the spring semester.

Because this is the first year launching the program, we will need at least 12 committed students before officially opening registration. Completing the form does not lock you into payment—it simply helps us determine whether we have enough youth to move forward.

Save Your Spot here!

 

After Registration

Within 72 hours after registration, you will receive a confirmation email.

Two weeks before classes begin families will receive the Family Handbook. This handbook covers all needed informmation about the upcoming semester. Please review the family handbook carefully, as it contains important information on dates, locations, times, student expectations, safety protocols, and more.

Class Preparation

Please be sure your child comes prepared with:

• Backpack
• Writing Tools (pencil & colored pencils)
• Sunscreen, bug spray, hat and/or sunglasses
• Jackets, Hats, Gloves
• Closed-toe shoes
• Towel (for sitting on)
• Snack & Water (at least 32 oz each class)
• Drawing pad (optional)
• Nature Journal (provided by NN)
   

Dates/Times

Spring 2026 is a 16-week semester with 15 classes. There will be no programming for the week of Spring Break. Classes will begin January 27th and end on May 12th.

Some classes may have different times or locations. These changes will be communicated prior to the date. Also follow the Nature Ninos calendar for updates.

This class meets on Tuesday AM from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

*Week 1 has a 30 min mandatory parent meeting held at the beginning of of the class period.

Please Note: The final day for registration changes, additions, or refunds January 19th, 2026. 

Volunteer Days

Volunteers will assist in engaging all students in class activities, ensuring respect for educators and peers, and reinforcing instructions and safety protocols as directed by Nature Niños educators. We encourage you to get involved and enjoy the activities alongside our students!

Family Hike Days

Dates will be confirmed before the start of the semester. Family Hike Days are for students and their families. This is not a drop-off class; a parent/guardian must attend. Other family members are welcome to join. These hikes will occur during the same time as the scheduled class.

Restrooms in Outdoor Spaces

Many outdoor spaces include restroom facilities, but some remote locations do not. Most areas will have access to either a building facility or a port-a-potty with hand sanitizer or hand washing stations.

In locations without restroom access, Nature Niños provides a sanitary and private portable toilet with a privacy tent, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. Please note that Nature Niños staff are not allowed to assist your child with restroom duties, such as wiping or buttoning pants. Dress your child in easily manageable clothing. If your child requires assistance, a parent/guardian must be on-site.

Cancellation & Inclement Weather Policy

Nature Niños is a small, dedicated team committed to providing outdoor experiences for youth. However, unforeseen circumstances such as illness or emergencies may affect our ability to maintain the standard teacher-student ratio, potentially leading to class cancellations.

As a fully outdoor program, we plan to hold classes in various weather conditions. However, hazardous conditions like lightning storms, icy roads, and extremely high winds may necessitate cancellations for safety reasons. We strive to host every scheduled class, but refunds will not be provided for weather-related cancellations. Should a class be canceled, notifications will be posted on the Band app, through email, and on our social media pages. Thank you for your understanding.

Costs for the Semester

This semester we are offering a single fee of $275 for the entire semester or two half-payments of $137.50, with one payment due at the time of registration and the second half due no later than March 20th, 2025. This averages out to $6 an hour while your students are with our outdoor team.

We do not want to create a financial burden for our community or create any barriers to experiencing the outdoors for your child/family. If these payment options prevent your family from participating in our program, please contact our Executive Director, Sarah Candelaria (sarah@natureninos.org), with your concerns. While we will not be offering discounts this semester we do, however, have fundraising opportunities available. 

New Family Referral Discount

Help us grow our Nature Niños community! When you invite a new family to join our programs and they register, you’ll receive $40 off one of your child’s semester registrations.

If you choose to pay half of your tuition at registration, you’ll receive $20 off the first payment and $20 off the second payment mid-semester. If the new family registers after your family has already signed up, our team will process the needed refund. 

More friends in class means stronger relationships, richer social-emotional learning, and a community of kids who grow together. Our classes are built around connection — with each other, with themselves, and with nature as our third teacher. When new families join, kids gain new friendships, new perspectives, and more opportunities to learn and explore side-by-side in the outdoors.

Higher enrollment also helps us keep all our class times open and gives us the opportunity to add additional sessions as groups fill. The more our community grows, the more adventures we can offer!

The discount applies per new family referred, even if that family registers multiple children, it still counts as one referral and one $40 discount for your family.

For any questions about the program, please email Sarah Candelaria (sarah@natureninos.org) or Liv Martinez (liv@natureninos.org).

Participant Registration Form

Reminder: Please complete a separate registration form for each child. Additional children will each require their own form.

It is our policy to contact the parent or guardian as soon as possible in the event of a serious accident or injury. If any contact information changes after registration, please connect with one of the instructors to update your information.

To avoid the spread of illness, we ask that families keep their kids home if they are exibiting any signs of being sick (COVID related or not). Symptoms that would require kids to be kept home may include but are not limited to:

• Fever above 100.9
• Nausea 
• Sore Throat
• Headache
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Symptoms including fever, vomiting, or diarrhea must have been gone for 24 hours before sending your child back to class.

If your child is displaying any of the listed symptoms above during class, an educator will contact the parent/guardian. Upon notification, a parent or guardian must pick up their child immediately. If the parent or guardian cannot be reached, emergency contacts will be called to pick up the child. It is very important that a sick child not remain in class, both for the well-being of the child and the other children in class. Additionally, a parent/guardian will be contacted to pick up your child if they have any of the following:

• Illness that prevents your child from participating in activities.
• Illness that results in greater need for care than we can provide.

Children who are ill may return to class when:
1. They are free of fever, vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours
2. They have been treated with an antibiotic for 24 hours
3. They are able to participate comfortably in all usual activities

 

All fields are required below.  

If nothing applies, please put "NONE" in the box. 

For the safety of all participants, your child will only be released to the individuals listed on this form. If you need to add or update any names, you must communicate those changes directly to the program educators and inform your child of the update.

Children will not be released to anyone not listed on the form.
Thank you for helping us keep all participants safe.

By hitting submit and putting your initials, you agree that you are the parent or legal guardian of the above named participant and are over the age of 18.

In case of medical emergency or general medical care, I give consent for medical teatment for the aboved named student by authorized personnel.  

I understand that the above named participant will only be released to the names listed above, an update may be done at registration.  

I certify that my child has my permission to attend class and participate in all activites.  

I authorize Nature Ninos New Mexico to use my child's picture, testimony, and video in any promotional material (web,print,or media).