How to Start a Homeschool Nature Club

Several years ago, because of our family’s deep passion for nature and a desire to do

something meaningful with friends, I decided to start a local nature club for

homeschooling families. Looking back, I can honestly say it was one of the best

decisions we’ve ever made.

Our little group began with just a few close friends, heading outdoors to explore trails,

creeks, and forests together. Over the years, it blossomed into a vibrant community of

families from multiple surrounding counties. Today, we’ve met so many incredible

people — families who have become lifelong friends all because we chose to step

outside, connect, and grow together.

What I love most is how simple it was to start and how rewarding it continues to be.

Why a Nature Club Is So Powerful

Not only does a homeschool nature club create space for kids and teens to explore,

play, and learn about the natural world, it also benefits us as parents. Getting outdoors

refreshes our minds, reduces stress, and inspires curiosity. Instead of being confined

indoors, we breathe in fresh air, get our bodies moving, and learn from the best

classroom of all: nature itself.

When I started our group, there wasn’t a single homeschool nature club in our area. I’m

so grateful I didn’t wait to find one — I created one instead. And you can too!

Simple Steps to Start Your Own Homeschool Nature Club

Here are a few things I’ve learned that can help you get started:

1. Write Out Your Vision & Goals

Decide why you want to start your club. Do you want it to focus on friendship, physical

activity, science learning, or a mix of everything? Having clarity helps you create a flow

that works for your family and others who join.

2. Plan Your Schedule

Choose which seasons you’d like to host outings, how often you’ll meet, and what days

work best. For example, our group meets mainly in the spring and fall, with occasional

winter and summer outings. Keep it realistic and flexible so it feels life-giving, not

overwhelming.

3. Decide the Flow of Your Outings

Some groups keep it simple with hikes and free play. Others incorporate short lessons

or themed explorations. In our group, we have blended both:

• Hikes and exploration

• Themed outings led by different families (topics like rocks, wildflowers, ponds,

survival skills, edible herbs, and more)

This variety has kept our group fresh, fun, and inspiring over the years.

4. Choose a Communication Hub

Pick a simple way to keep everyone informed — whether that’s a private Facebook

group, an email list, or a group messaging app like GroupMe. Make it easy for families

to see schedules and RSVP.

5. Start Inviting Friends

Begin with a few homeschool families you know. From there, word of mouth often helps

your group grow naturally. Remember: even if it’s just one other family at first, that’s

enough to begin.

6. Keep It Simple & Flexible

One of the greatest parts of running a homeschool nature club is the flexibility. Families

can attend when it works for them, and if you can’t make it one week, the group can still

carry on. There’s no pressure for perfection. The goal is connection, exploration, and

joy.

If you don’t know many homeschoolers locally, try reaching out to statewide

homeschool networks or posting in Facebook groups or local county discussion pages.

You might be surprised at how many families are longing for the same kind of

connection.

And remember — it doesn’t have to be complicated. At its heart, a homeschool nature

club can simply be two families meeting weekly to hike and play together. That’s how

the seeds of community begin.

This is Your Invitation to Begin

Starting a homeschool nature club may feel like a small step, but it has the potential to

grow into something life-giving for your entire family and community. You’ll create

memories on trails and in forests, nurture a love of the outdoors, and give your children

and yourself the gift of friendships rooted in nature.

Don’t wait for the perfect time or perfect plan. The beauty of a nature club is in its

simplicity. All it takes is an open heart, a love for the outdoors, and the willingness to

invite others along. From there, the magic unfolds. 

Nature as a Core Subject — and a Way to Stay Connected

In our homeschool and family life, nature isn’t just an extracurricular activity — it’s a

core subject. It weaves its way into our learning, our rhythms, and the way we connect

with one another and the world around us. Time outdoors has shaped how my children

learn, how we build community, and how we stay grounded through different seasons of

life.

As our local nature club grew, I began to notice something else: not every family has

access to an in-person nature group, yet so many are longing for meaningful connection

rooted in the natural world. Families want slower rhythms, deeper relationships, and

ways to help their children feel part of something bigger than their own backyard. That

desire is what inspired the Nature Pen Pal Exchange.

Extending the Nature Club Beyond Your Backyard

The Nature Pen Pal Exchange is a simple, intentional way for families and nature

groups to connect with others through seasonal letter writing inspired by the outdoors.

Along with handwritten letters and shared observations, participants also exchange

small, meaningful nature treasures — items such as pressed leaves or flowers,

feathers, seeds, drawings, or other ethically collected keepsakes that represent their

local environment.

These treasures become tangible reminders that learning is lived and experienced.

Children slow down to notice what grows where they live, carefully choose something to

share, and then receive a glimpse of another place through the eyes of a new friend. It’s

a powerful way to build awareness, curiosity, and respect for the natural world.

For many families, this exchange feels like an extension of their nature club gatherings

— or a gentle entry point into nature-based learning when in-person groups aren’t

available. Letters and treasures travel across regions and seasons, creating a sense of

belonging and connection that goes far beyond geography.

Whether you’re gathering weekly with friends on the trail or exploring nature as a family

on your own, experiences like this deepen observation skills, nurture communication,

and foster gratitude for the beauty right outside our doors. They remind us that learning

doesn’t need to be hurried or complicated — it can unfold slowly, one walk, one letter,

one shared treasure at a time.

If you’ve been longing for more connection, more wonder, and more nature woven into

your homeschool life, consider this your invitation. Sometimes the smallest moments —

a found leaf, a handwritten note, an open heart — grow into the most meaningful

experiences of all.

-Jen Wilmoth