Students thrive in nature. I learned this while studying and teaching PreK curricula, which is chock-full of hands-on experiences and nature-inspired connection. During my research, I found students who weren’t exposed to the outdoors at an early age were less prepared and, more gravely, less successful in school. Fortunately, we have exciting NEW opportunities right here in North Dakota for young students!
Firstly, Minot Head Start was recently approved to receive a grant titled, “Supplemental funds for Nutrition and Healthy Eating for Head Start Children and Families.” In the Spring, they will get an 8 x 12 greenhouse and four raised beds so children and families can garden together. Additionally, they hope to partner with NDSU Extension to offer a class on cooking with the foods they grow. Our earliest students will soon benefit from that special opportunity, but this isn’t the only early childhood program focused on nature.
Secondly, local Family Child Care (FCC) programs offer specialized opportunities amid low student-to-teacher ratios. Minot Air Force Base’s 2025 Family Child Care (FCC) Provider of the Year, Ms. Tena Holmgren, offers numerous on-going natural learning opportunities for her students. One such opportunity is bird-identification, as she showcases a large poster of local birds in her living room near her giant front window and encourages curious students to name their feathered visitors. In addition, Ms. Holmgren has obtained certification with the Children’s Environmental Health Network. It is a dedication to complying with a list of environmentally healthy best practices to create a toxic-free early learning setting. Some of these best practices include playing with non-toxic art supplies, improving air quality in the home, using EPA registered cleaners, and reducing lead exposure.
Thirdly, on Minot AFB, Dr. Lynda LaFond, Biological Scientist, Mr. Robert Bohlender, Minot Public Schools’ Facilities Director, and I are working on a Public Schools on Military Installation (PSMIs) Grounds Initiative to maximize educational opportunities for our on-base military-connected students. Back in August, we surveyed the PSMI grounds, toured Dr. LaFond’s prairie garden at North Plains Elementary School, and brainstormed how to utilize and enhance all existing natural resources and man-made structures to encourage student and educator engagement. To strengthen our efforts, I registered to attend the “Beyond limits: Creating impactful outdoor adventure-based experiences” free youth development webinar on April 1st, 2026 offered through the University of Minnesota Extension. To register, please visit: https://extension.umn.edu/youth-work-courses/youth-development-webinars. More information on our PSMI initiative to come!
Lastly, those times we’re all stuck inside due to -50 degree weather? Students can check out Roscoe the Raccoon! North Dakota Parks and Recreation’s outdoor educators have recently expanded their Campfire Series, which showcases short, engaging videos on virtual adventures filled with native wildlife, plants, and ecosystems. Their target audience: elementary students.
All of these improvements and local partnerships aim to inspire a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors. Our birth-PreK educators, PSMI/base staff, and community partners are actively working on natural initiatives to enhance student learning. I encourage you to explore!
The information in this article is provided as a resource and does not constitute endorsement by Minot AFB, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense of the external website, or the information, products, or services contained therein.
