The LEAP preschool moved off-site and into the woods last week – specifically to St. Philip’s in the Trees. The three and four-year-olds were wrapping up two weeks of camp with some special time outdoors. 
Led by their teacher, Montserrat Caballero, a member of El Buen Pastor, the children eagerly walked through the woods, searching for the mushrooms, bugs, and leaves depicted on their scavenger hunt guides. They balanced on fallen logs and listened for birds, and given the heat of the day, it was especially fun to play in the creek and build with rocks. 

“The experiences offered by St. Philip’s in the Trees perfectly reflect the kind of learning we encourage at Nuestra Escuelita,” said Leigh Bordley, Director of the LEAP program. “All children are fascinated by insects, water, and mud. While they’re playing, they also learn the vocabulary to describe what they are seeing, feeling, and hearing. They’re learning the concepts that make sense of their experiences, and they’re navigating the space with other people with whom they are learning to cooperate. There is no better learning environment than the beautiful woods God created for us.” 

LEAP is hoping to visit St. Philip’s in the Trees again and again!