<![CDATA[Unlocking Creativity: The Power of Play Playlist - Outdoor Classrooms Podcast]]>8893d0f0-35f1-514b-b81b-6193dc5c0700Tue, 26 May 2026 08:00:08 +0000Captivate.fmVictoria Hackett, M.Ed: Learning Gardens and Nature Based Curriculum https://artwork.captivate.fm/63f9167c-dd66-442d-8741-51a04e0d9b0e/i1mGZ-pPDKY5GkUEV2DRQU-d.jpgUnlocking Creativity: The Power of Play Playlist - Outdoor Classrooms PodcastVictoria Hackett, M.Ed: Learning Gardens and Nature Based Curriculum Victoria Hackett, M.Ed: Learning Gardens and Nature Based Curriculum Embark on an enlightening journey with our six-episode series, "Unlocking Creativity: The Power of Play," where we delve into the transformative magic of play. This series is designed to inspire educators, parents, and play enthusiasts alike, offering diverse perspectives and insights.The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast is the podcast for teachers and parents and anyone interested in cultivating learning gardens and nature-based curricula for children. It’s a show that will help you transform your outdoor space and will offer “seeds of inspiration” for playful learning outdoors. Each week, Victoria Hackett and her guests will share tips and actionable strategies that you will need in order to set in motion, manage and grow your Outdoor Classroom. You’ll learn how to implement the 5 Phases of Teaching Outdoors, all while providing a new way of learning for your children! Studies have shown that children who learn outdoors in all seasons “develop a sense of self, independence, confidence, creativity, decision-making, problem-solving skills, empathy towards others, motor skills, self-discipline, and initiative.” Victoria Hackett is the founder of Outdoor-Classrooms.com, The CIRCLE Membership community, and The Secret Gardens Demonstration Outdoor Classroom. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more, head on over to our virtual playground at outdoor-classrooms.com.https://outdoor-classrooms.captivate.fmfalseepisodicnopodcast2. The Power of Nature-Based Play Outdoors2. The Power of Nature-Based Play OutdoorsHERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

Today we are creating a foundation for outdoor learning and talking about the Power of Nature-Based Play Outdoors. We discuss our own childhood memories of play and move into the importance of understanding the 6 Elements of Nature-Based Play Outdoors.

TOPICS COVERED:

In this episode, I talk about

  • Nature Deficit Disorder
  • 6 Elements of Nature Play: Connection, Empathy, Storybuilding, Collaboration, Wildness, and Imagination.

We plant the Nature Play seeds and ask the question...

  • What's your vision for cultivating outdoor classrooms for learning in nature?

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:


]]>HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

Today we are creating a foundation for outdoor learning and talking about the Power of Nature-Based Play Outdoors. We discuss our own childhood memories of play and move into the importance of understanding the 6 Elements of Nature-Based Play Outdoors.

TOPICS COVERED:

In this episode, I talk about

  • Nature Deficit Disorder
  • 6 Elements of Nature Play: Connection, Empathy, Storybuilding, Collaboration, Wildness, and Imagination.

We plant the Nature Play seeds and ask the question...

  • What's your vision for cultivating outdoor classrooms for learning in nature?

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:


]]>ee6a2fd3-aea7-428c-b6e7-bfbf555c27e1Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:15:00 -040020:32falsefull7. Nature Play for the 7 Senses with Jena Jauchius7. Nature Play for the 7 Senses with Jena JauchiusBUCKLE UP AS WE TRAVEL TO FIND "SEEDS OF INSPIRATION" FROM OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Each month, we visit a new Outdoor Classroom and celebrate the power and purpose of Teaching Gardens. We also highlight the brilliant creative work of the many educators who have taken their outdoor space from an unproven concept to an engaging Outdoor Classroom. Many are graduates from our Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp, members of our CIRCLE community, and experts in the nature-based learning field.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

Today I have Jena Jauchius on for the 7th episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast.

This episode is another sneak peek into one of our monthly Outdoor Classrooms Tour and Talks inside The Circle Membership community.

We will be talking about the images of Jena's Sensory Garden within her Outdoor Classroom. If you would like to visual version of this interview please join us in The Circle!

MEET JENA:

Jena is the founder of N is for Nature Play, a landscape architect, nature play expert, artist-builder, garden fanatic, and Mom of twins. Jena has dedicated her decade's career to designing children's nature play areas, sensory gardens, learning landscapes, and custom playscapes.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, we are getting a "behind the scenes" look at Jena's Sensory Path and her incredible Outdoor Classroom. A delightful conversation about Nature Play and the 7 Senses with "seeds of inspiration" for creating your own Outdoor Classroom Infrastructure.

TOPICS COVERED:

  • Why is Sensory Play Important?
  • Elements to add to an outdoor space that inspires wonder and curiosity.
  • The story behind Jena's signature Sensory Path.
  • Nature Play for the 7 Senses
  • Philosophy of Nature Play.
  • DIY approaches to creating Outdoor Classroom Infrastructure

CONNECT WITH JENA:


CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:


]]>BUCKLE UP AS WE TRAVEL TO FIND "SEEDS OF INSPIRATION" FROM OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Each month, we visit a new Outdoor Classroom and celebrate the power and purpose of Teaching Gardens. We also highlight the brilliant creative work of the many educators who have taken their outdoor space from an unproven concept to an engaging Outdoor Classroom. Many are graduates from our Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp, members of our CIRCLE community, and experts in the nature-based learning field.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

Today I have Jena Jauchius on for the 7th episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast.

This episode is another sneak peek into one of our monthly Outdoor Classrooms Tour and Talks inside The Circle Membership community.

We will be talking about the images of Jena's Sensory Garden within her Outdoor Classroom. If you would like to visual version of this interview please join us in The Circle!

MEET JENA:

Jena is the founder of N is for Nature Play, a landscape architect, nature play expert, artist-builder, garden fanatic, and Mom of twins. Jena has dedicated her decade's career to designing children's nature play areas, sensory gardens, learning landscapes, and custom playscapes.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, we are getting a "behind the scenes" look at Jena's Sensory Path and her incredible Outdoor Classroom. A delightful conversation about Nature Play and the 7 Senses with "seeds of inspiration" for creating your own Outdoor Classroom Infrastructure.

TOPICS COVERED:

  • Why is Sensory Play Important?
  • Elements to add to an outdoor space that inspires wonder and curiosity.
  • The story behind Jena's signature Sensory Path.
  • Nature Play for the 7 Senses
  • Philosophy of Nature Play.
  • DIY approaches to creating Outdoor Classroom Infrastructure

CONNECT WITH JENA:


CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:


]]>f6e5d82a-c220-455f-97b4-84d20c583eb6Mon, 06 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -040034:30falsefull7713. The Magic of Mud Play13. The Magic of Mud PlayThis entire month we talking about Getting Outdoors. In this episode, we are talking about MUD which also makes it the perfect time to be collaborating with The Outdoor School Shop! The proper Outdoor Gear can make all the difference in the world when kids are invited to play in the Mud. Make sure you get your waterproof on and jump in the mud with 20% off the entire full-price RAIN category at The Outdoor School Shop. Use code: PODCAST at check out.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, we are talking about:

  • Why MUD PLAY is worth the mess.
  • What is Mud Play?
  • Why mud play is more than just fun.
  • Why do kids love mud?
  • What else is happening when children play in the mud, besides getting dirty and building their immune systems?
  • How to prepare for Mud Play?
  • Mud Play and Mindfulness

MEET VICTORIA:

Founder of Outdoor-Classrooms.com, The Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom Nature Classes, the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, and The CIRCLE Membership Community.

The foundation of my work is twofold: to inspire teachers, parents & school communities to make their own outdoor classrooms and to do so on a shoestring budget.

In communicating all the possibilities, I developed a framework for what I call The Five Phases of Teaching Outdoors which can be found in The Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp. To continue these important conversations, I created the Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE Membership Community which includes a toolshed of methods and resources for cultivating Outdoor Classrooms and Nature Based Teaching.

At Outdoor Classrooms, I make it simple, easy, and cost-effective for you to start, develop, and enjoy your own one-of-a-kind outdoor classroom… one that integrates perfectly with your curriculum, outdoor space, and budget.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve had an outdoor classroom for years, here you will find the tools, training, community, and time-tested principles you need to:

  • Make and sustain your own one-of-a-kind outdoor classroom on a shoestring budget.
  • Gain confidence in your ability to teach outdoors even if you’ve never done it before.
  • Know how to keep your students engaged, enthused, and learning well outside…in rain, snow, or sun.
  • Get new inspiration, ideas, and resources for what, where, when, why, and how to teach outdoors.
  • Experience more joy and a deep sense of satisfaction as you watch your students become more curious, engaged, and excited about what they’re learning.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:


]]>This entire month we talking about Getting Outdoors. In this episode, we are talking about MUD which also makes it the perfect time to be collaborating with The Outdoor School Shop! The proper Outdoor Gear can make all the difference in the world when kids are invited to play in the Mud. Make sure you get your waterproof on and jump in the mud with 20% off the entire full-price RAIN category at The Outdoor School Shop. Use code: PODCAST at check out.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, we are talking about:

  • Why MUD PLAY is worth the mess.
  • What is Mud Play?
  • Why mud play is more than just fun.
  • Why do kids love mud?
  • What else is happening when children play in the mud, besides getting dirty and building their immune systems?
  • How to prepare for Mud Play?
  • Mud Play and Mindfulness

MEET VICTORIA:

Founder of Outdoor-Classrooms.com, The Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom Nature Classes, the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, and The CIRCLE Membership Community.

The foundation of my work is twofold: to inspire teachers, parents & school communities to make their own outdoor classrooms and to do so on a shoestring budget.

In communicating all the possibilities, I developed a framework for what I call The Five Phases of Teaching Outdoors which can be found in The Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp. To continue these important conversations, I created the Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE Membership Community which includes a toolshed of methods and resources for cultivating Outdoor Classrooms and Nature Based Teaching.

At Outdoor Classrooms, I make it simple, easy, and cost-effective for you to start, develop, and enjoy your own one-of-a-kind outdoor classroom… one that integrates perfectly with your curriculum, outdoor space, and budget.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve had an outdoor classroom for years, here you will find the tools, training, community, and time-tested principles you need to:

  • Make and sustain your own one-of-a-kind outdoor classroom on a shoestring budget.
  • Gain confidence in your ability to teach outdoors even if you’ve never done it before.
  • Know how to keep your students engaged, enthused, and learning well outside…in rain, snow, or sun.
  • Get new inspiration, ideas, and resources for what, where, when, why, and how to teach outdoors.
  • Experience more joy and a deep sense of satisfaction as you watch your students become more curious, engaged, and excited about what they’re learning.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:


]]>34f58975-d4a5-4070-b0d2-d72a3e62463cTue, 18 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -040024:49falsefull131349. Eight Schemas of Play for Outdoor Learning49. Eight Schemas of Play for Outdoor Learning"Play is the highest form of research."

In today's episode, we are looking at eight Schemas of Play for Outdoor Learning. They include:

  1. Connecting
  2. Orientation
  3. Transporting
  4. Trajectory
  5. Positioning
  6. Enveloping
  7. Enclosing
  8. Rotation

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:


]]>"Play is the highest form of research."

In today's episode, we are looking at eight Schemas of Play for Outdoor Learning. They include:

  1. Connecting
  2. Orientation
  3. Transporting
  4. Trajectory
  5. Positioning
  6. Enveloping
  7. Enclosing
  8. Rotation

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:


]]>f731d07e-1bd1-4300-9f06-92976b6f288cTue, 26 Sep 2023 04:00:00 -040017:06falsefull30. The Adventures in Risky Play with Author Rusty Keeler30. The Adventures in Risky Play with Author Rusty KeelerThis entire month we are enjoying our Author Series. In this episode, we are talking with Rusty Keeler, author of his newest book, The Adventures of Risky Play: What is Your Yes?

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

  1. What is Risky Play?
  2. What do Adventure Playgrounds look like?
  3. What about the parents?
  4. Risk vs. Hazard
  5. Risk and Developmental Ages and Stages

MEET RUSTY

Rusty Keeler is an artist and play designer living among the hills and woods outside Ithaca, NY. Rusty worked as a playground equipment designer for BigToys in Olympia, WA, and Speelhout in The Netherlands before starting his own business in 1996, Planet Earth Playscapes, designing natural landscapes for play. He is also the author of Natural Playscapes: Creating Outdoor Play Environments for the Soul. (Exchange Press: 2008) When not knee-deep in mud building playscapes, he can be found knee-deep in mud playing. Visit his website at www.earthplay.net. You will also find out more about Rusty on his speaker website: rustykeeler.com:

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:


]]>This entire month we are enjoying our Author Series. In this episode, we are talking with Rusty Keeler, author of his newest book, The Adventures of Risky Play: What is Your Yes?

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS EPISODE:

  1. What is Risky Play?
  2. What do Adventure Playgrounds look like?
  3. What about the parents?
  4. Risk vs. Hazard
  5. Risk and Developmental Ages and Stages

MEET RUSTY

Rusty Keeler is an artist and play designer living among the hills and woods outside Ithaca, NY. Rusty worked as a playground equipment designer for BigToys in Olympia, WA, and Speelhout in The Netherlands before starting his own business in 1996, Planet Earth Playscapes, designing natural landscapes for play. He is also the author of Natural Playscapes: Creating Outdoor Play Environments for the Soul. (Exchange Press: 2008) When not knee-deep in mud building playscapes, he can be found knee-deep in mud playing. Visit his website at www.earthplay.net. You will also find out more about Rusty on his speaker website: rustykeeler.com:

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:


]]>ceb45754-ccab-4084-9431-44a628c4a445Tue, 27 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -040043:36falsefull75. Unstructured Child's Play Outdoors with Teacher Tom75. Unstructured Child's Play Outdoors with Teacher TomTeacher Tom writes in his blog, “The central purpose of every human community that has ever existed is to care for children.” In the same paragraph, he notes, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 20% of American children have been diagnosed with behavior problems, anxiety, depression or some other mental disorder.” In this episode, Teacher Tom and I dive into a discussion about the importance of unstructured play, risky play, and child-led learning.

We discuss:

  • How Teacher Tom got his name
  • Risky play
  • Play-based education
  • Adventure playgrounds
  • Unstructured play outdoors is our foundation

MEET TEACHER TOM:

Tom “Teacher Tom” Hobson is an early childhood educator, international speaker, education consultant, teacher of teachers, parent educator, and author. He is best known, however, for his namesake blog Teacher Tom's Blog, http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com, where he has posted daily for over a decade.

Today, Teacher Tom travels around the world (Greece, Iceland, Australia, China, Vietnam, New Zealand, Canada, UK, and across the US) sharing his views on early childhood education, play, and pedagogy. He authored his first book, aptly named Teacher Tom’s First Book, and his second book named Teacher Tom's Second Book, http://www.teachertomsfirstbook.com/books.html.

Check out Teacher Tom's signature Play Based Course HERE.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:




]]>Teacher Tom writes in his blog, “The central purpose of every human community that has ever existed is to care for children.” In the same paragraph, he notes, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 20% of American children have been diagnosed with behavior problems, anxiety, depression or some other mental disorder.” In this episode, Teacher Tom and I dive into a discussion about the importance of unstructured play, risky play, and child-led learning.

We discuss:

  • How Teacher Tom got his name
  • Risky play
  • Play-based education
  • Adventure playgrounds
  • Unstructured play outdoors is our foundation

MEET TEACHER TOM:

Tom “Teacher Tom” Hobson is an early childhood educator, international speaker, education consultant, teacher of teachers, parent educator, and author. He is best known, however, for his namesake blog Teacher Tom's Blog, http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com, where he has posted daily for over a decade.

Today, Teacher Tom travels around the world (Greece, Iceland, Australia, China, Vietnam, New Zealand, Canada, UK, and across the US) sharing his views on early childhood education, play, and pedagogy. He authored his first book, aptly named Teacher Tom’s First Book, and his second book named Teacher Tom's Second Book, http://www.teachertomsfirstbook.com/books.html.

Check out Teacher Tom's signature Play Based Course HERE.

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:


OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:




]]>2a8c7e0d-6842-4dba-8e6a-c72854b3feeeTue, 23 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -040038:00falsefull