BY SASHA ROGELBERG
A t Maydale Nature Classroom, children who visit campus
will hear the sounds of the green frogs, tree frogs and bull-
frogs and see the gnawed-on tree trunks of a beaver who
made its lodge by the nearby stream.

A delight to the senses, being surrounded with nature is
more than just fun and engaging; it’s an opportunity for educa-
tion and growth.

“It helps [kids] understand the environment around them
and make educated decisions on environmental issues,” says
Glenn Rice, a park naturalist at the Montgomery County Parks
Department. “It just allows them to connect to this local envi-
ronment—the natural local environment.”
Maydale, in Colesville, Maryland, is part of the Montgomery
Parks system in Montgomery County.

Constructed in 2019, it’s one of five facilities in the Montgom-
ery Parks system that provide opportunities for learning outside
the traditional four-walled school building. Maydale invites stu-
dents, Boy and Girl Scouts and even homeschooled children for
a day of learning.

Their day begins indoors with an overview on a topic like
habitats and ends with a long hike outdoors, student and
teacher interaction and the opportunity to look at various
habitats in real environments.

This is the kind of hands-on, real-world experience students
react to with “interest and excitement,” Rice says.

What are the benefits to outdoor learning?
Beyond Maydale, enthusiastic learners are enjoying outdoor
classrooms and learning experiences all over the DMV. The
benefits of the unconventional model are plentiful.

14 Washington FAMILY
MARCH 2023
PLANTS: LIGRENOK/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS;
Outdoor Education
Programs Offer Benefits
to Children
Creek cleanup with Rooted Nature OT
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROOTED NATURE OT
The Classroom Outside
of Four Walls