Root and Roam at BOUstead is designed for children ages 6–10. Activities are flexible and multi-age friendly so children can learn at their own pace while collaborating with peers in a one room school house approach.

Our program meets one day each week on our working homestead. Each gathering is a full outdoor learning day where children participate in guided activities, exploration, and hands-on experiences.

Yes. Root and Roam is a drop-off program, allowing children to build independence while learning in a supportive and supervised environment.

Our days often include a blend of:

Nature exploration and observation

Hands-on science experiments

Nature journaling and creative writing

Math through real-life problem solving

Animal care and homestead tasks

Outdoor games and physical movement

Group projects and cooperative learning

Free play and curiosity-led discovery

Activities vary with the seasons, weather, and children’s interests, making each gathering unique.

In order to keep all participants healthy and able to enjoy the outdoors, if any fever, vomiting, strep throat, and/or other excessive symptoms present themselves we ask that the child stay home for that session.

Any weeks cancelled due to instructor sickness will be made up in June at the end of the program.

Snow days will not be made up. We will follow the Middleton School District snow advisories.

Here at Root and Roam we believe there is no bad weather. The majority of our time is spent outdoors in all seasons. Children should come dressed appropriately for the weather so they can comfortably explore, learn, and play. We have access to an indoor space with a wood burning stove for the days when Children would like to cozy up and read together or sketch some of their nature finds in their journal.

Although this program is nature based there is an academic component to it. Each day will consist of animal care, journal writing, reading, a guided nature activity, nature exploring, snack, a nature based math activity, lunch, free play, and a science or history component depending upon the session.

Root and Roam is designed to support and enrich your homeschool experience by providing hands-on, interdisciplinary learning opportunities. Families remain responsible for meeting their own homeschool requirements.

Root and Roam is a supplemental addition to your homeschool and should not be the only source of schooling your child is obtaining. We do not do any sort of formal testing at our program. However, I do offer portfolio reviews for an additional fee for families who may be interested. Children will have a notebook where they will keep a detailed account of our activities throughout the year.