Nature Song: A Living Community Rooted in Connection
Nature Song is an interconnected community woven through meaningful relationships, shared experiences, and a deep connection to nature. It is not a rigid structure but a living, evolving network shaped by the people who join—bringing their skills, passions, and presence into the collective. Pods, circles, and gatherings form organically, guided by the needs, interests, and contributions of those involved. Through this fluid and responsive framework, individuals find belonging in spaces that support their growth and well-being.
Nature Song is built around four key initiatives, each fostering connection and learning in its own unique way:
Seedling School
A hybrid nature-based learning community that nurtures education through hands-on experiences and family involvement. Current programs include:
Forest Kindergarten – A weekly nature-based drop-off program for children ages 5 to 7, fostering curiosity, exploration, and connection to the natural world.
Wandering Roots – Family learning adventures, including field trips, guest teachers, and community-building experiences.
Forest Collective
A supportive community where mothers and families come together to build friendships, share resources, and navigate the seasons of life. Current programs include:
Personal Pods – Small groups of 6 to 8 families that meet weekly in nature, deepening relationships and evolving into unique forms of connection and support. Fill out the Interest List to be contacted when new pods form in April and September.
Generation Circle
A space for intergenerational relationships to flourish through meaningful connections in both small and large group settings. Current programs include:
Generation Garden – A gathering focused on gardening and tending both the earth and the heart.
Joy Pods – Monthly play adventures where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to explore joy in creative and engaging ways.
Cycles of the Wild
Honoring life’s transitions by creating spaces to learn, share, and celebrate growth. Current programs include:
Moon Cycle Circles – Gatherings for future menstruators (ages 9 to 12) to explore body literacy and the wisdom of cycles.
Community Traditions – Offerings that honor significant life moments, such as Mother Blessing Ways and Baby Blessings, to support individuals during meaningful transitions.
Nature Song is ever-evolving, shaped by those who join and the relationships they cultivate. Whether through education, mutual support, intergenerational connection, or honoring life’s cycles, it provides a space where people can grow, contribute, and belong.
Community Structure
Personal Pods – Small, purpose-driven groups that meet regularly within Seedling School, Forest Collective, and Generation Circle. This is your core group of individuals that you meet with regularly or interact on WhatsApp with.
Interest Pods – Flexible groups that come together around shared interests, life stages, or personal needs. Anyone can start an Interest Pod, and their duration varies—they might gather once or twice or continue meeting over time. These pods evolve based on the needs and interests of those involved.
The Forest - The Forest is built on a systems framework, where each part connects to and strengthens the whole. Personal Pods, Interest Pods, and the guidance of teachers and community Elders create layers of connection, fostering a deeply interwoven community. Unlike most social spaces, which can feel disconnected or temporary, Nature Song is designed for lasting relationships, shared wisdom, and mutual support. Each small group and individual contributes to a larger, thriving network of belonging and growth.
Ecosystem of Endeavors - Small businesses within the Nature Song Forest community can thrive by aligning their efforts with the community’s values, contributing to the wellbeing of individuals at every stage of life.
Nature Song Online Whatsapp - A dedicated online space for meaningful interactions, resource exchange, and discussions among Forest members and specific pods.
Personal Pods
A personal pod is a small, intentional group of individuals who come together regularly to offer support, accountability, and deep connection. Rooted in trust and reciprocity, a pod provides a space for open conversation, shared experiences, and mutual growth. Unlike larger community gatherings, personal pods focus on fostering close relationships, allowing members to truly see and support one another through life's transitions, challenges, and celebrations. Whether formed around a specific theme—such as parenting, creativity, or personal growth—or simply built on a foundation of friendship, a personal pod serves as a grounding force, strengthening both individual well-being and the broader community.
Join a Pod! Fill out the interest form at the bottom of the page, and we’ll be in touch.
Joy Pods: throughout the year
Forest Collective Pods: April and September
Generation Garden Pod: Meet throughout the summer
Seedling School Pod: Registration open year-round
Wandering Roots Pod(s): Registration open year-round
Interest Pods
Interest Pods are inclusive groups that come together around shared passions and evolving life needs. If you are a member of Nature Song you may start an interest pod! As relationships in personal pods and the Forest deepen, interest pods naturally form to explore questions like:
What brings me joy or sparks my curiosity?
How do I wish to grow, and who can support me on that journey?
What shared experiences enrich my life?
What are my needs, and how can they be met within community?
These pods often engage in mutual aid initiatives, aiming to simplify and enhance daily life through:
Shared childcare arrangements
Work exchanges
Volunteering efforts
Social justice projects
Pursuit of hobbies
Wellness activities
By participating in Interest Pods, members cultivate a supportive environment that fosters personal growth, community connection, and collective well-being.
Starting a Special Interest Pod
Anyone can start an Interest Pod, this is at the heart of Nature Song. Whether it’s a shared passion, a meaningful tradition, or a simple desire to bring people together to do something together, these pods create space for connection and co-creation. By sharing your ideas and inviting others to join, you help weave the fabric of this community.
The Forest
The Forest is the heart of our community, a living, breathing space where people of all backgrounds, ages, and experiences come together with a shared purpose: to grow, connect, and live with intention. It is a network of pods woven into a larger whole. Just as trees stand stronger in a forest than alone, we too thrive when held in community.
The Forest is a place where we ask meaningful questions: What do we want for ourselves, our children, and our community? From these questions, Interest Pods emerge, along with gatherings, traditions, and opportunities to build on shared experiences.
The Forest is a space of becoming and belonging—a place where ideas take root, guided by the values of curiosity, connection, and shared experience.
Traditions, Ceremony, and Rites of Passage
Nature Song Forest nurtures a culture of belonging through meaningful traditions and ceremonies that mark life’s transitions, celebrate milestones, and strengthen the fabric of the community. These gatherings provide space to honor the past, embrace the present, and step into the future with intention and support.
Rites of passage are an essential part of this, fostering a deep sense of belonging by recognizing each life stage with care and community strength. As we rediscover how to recognize and celebrate these moments together, we weave generations into a shared experience of growth and connection. From childhood to elderhood, these celebrations help us acknowledge change with intention, ensuring that no one walks their path alone.
Rite of Passage Ceremonies and Celebrations
Elders Ceremony – A sacred gathering to honor those who carry deep wisdom and experience. This ceremony acknowledges the guidance and contributions of elders, offering space to share stories and recognize their role as keepers of tradition.
Coming of Age Ceremony – A rite of passage for youth stepping into adolescence, honoring their journey of self-discovery, responsibility, and connection to their community. Through storytelling, mentorship, and reflection, this ceremony acknowledges the unique gifts of each young person.
Mother’s Blessings – A nurturing ceremony to support and uplift those preparing to welcome new life. Friends and family gather to share wisdom, encouragement, and heartfelt wishes, creating a space of love and strength.
Welcoming a New Child – A ceremony celebrating the arrival of a child, recognizing their place within the community and inviting collective support for their journey ahead.
Seasonal and Nature-Based Traditions
Co-creating a celebration is an act of connection. Rather than simply attending, we weave our intentions and contributions into something meaningful, deepening our sense of belonging. This transforms gatherings into reflections of our shared hopes, values, and relationships—turning moments into lasting traditions.
Lantern Walk – A community walk that welcomes the changing of seasons, symbolizing the light we carry within even as the days grow darker.
Solstice Spiral – A reflective event honoring the cycle of the sun and our place within it.
Valentine’s Tea – A cozy gathering celebrating love and friendship.
Spring Equinox – A celebration of renewal and balance as the seasons shift.
May Day – A joyful festivity embracing spring, often including a Maypole dance.
Pumpkin Village – A fall gathering marking the harvest season with festivities and storytelling.
Ecosystem of Endeavors
I envision this space as a way to make our dreams more accessible and bring our visions to life. By partnering with like-minded individuals who want to share their unique gifts, we can use Nature Song as a foundation to support and amplify what each of us is meant to offer to the world, turning our ideas into reality with greater ease, collaboration and joy.
Small businesses within the Nature Song Forest community have a unique opportunity to thrive by aligning their missions with the values and needs of the community. Rather than existing as separate entities, these businesses become part of a larger, interconnected ecosystem where each contributes to the wellbeing of individuals at various stages of life.
Workshops, Classes, Camps, etc.
We welcome those creating experiences that equip individuals with skills and knowledge for personal growth and community connection. We’re seeking co-creators, instructors, and visionaries for the following:
Children:
After-school care
Summer camps (especially for boys)
Forest school preschool
OT and speech therapists interested in teaching outdoors and building community pods
Teens:
Rites of passage year long program
Teen mentoring (one-on-one or group)
Wilderness adventures
Parent and child backpacking trips
Youth-led mentoring programs
Adults:
Group therapy
Couples classes
Marriage classes
Non-violent communication pod
Men’s groups
Wellness practices
Folk skills exchange.
Artistic Collaborations
Creative projects that bring together artists and community members, enriching our cultural landscape and providing platforms for artistic expression.
Storytelling events
collaborative arts
grant to support mental health through art