BOISE — Boise has its first outdoor preschool after calls from the community. The program is taking place at the Foothills Learning Center and is being operated through Boise Parks and Recreation.
Lauresta Welty is the lead teacher at the Boise Outdoor Preschool.
"We tell all the kids that you have everything you need to be a scientist right here," said Welty.
This is the first week and there are six kids in the class. When they're not on the trails or doing nature-based craft projects you can find them playing with sticks, making tracks in the sand, and doing some serious climbing on rocks and trees.
"You know it's just a totally different scenario for them," said Lisa Duplessie, who is the Foothills Learning Center Education Manager. "They can really self-explore and they can really create a different place for themselves."
Outdoor preschool opens in Boise
Duplessie says parents are passionate about having this outdoor option for their kids.
"So instead of being in four walls of a classroom they can really get outside and explore and enjoy," said Duplessie.
Rachel Padget is a mom who pushed for this program for her son, Anderson. she says nature has a wonderful array of lessons to teach us, including self-reliance.
"So if it's cold we put on a coat, and it really fosters independence," said Padget. "It really allows kids to take charge of their own existence and experience."
Padget believes the community will embrace this new program.
"Boise's a town that really understands their natural assets and taking children into them and making them care about them understanding how to take care of them is going to serve Boise far into the future," said Padget.
The Boise Outdoor Preschool has room for eight kids but will expand if there is a demand. It runs Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. You can find more information here.