Children's Nature Circle at Blue Boat Playground Friday mornings10:00am-12:00pm
Children's Nature Circle provides regular time for families to gather outdoors.
We connect with the more than human world through songs, stories, and hands-on experiences.
In our weekly sessions, we support one another to get comfortable with all kinds of weather and creatures (even the crawly ones!).
We have fun and make new friends and playmates!
We have fun and make new friends and playmates!
Details & How to Join
Who is Nature Circle for?
Sessions are recommended for young children ages 0-5 and their families or caregivers. Some families join as members and come every week. Others drop in occasionally when schedules allow.
Where and When Do We Meet?
Weekly sessions are held Friday mornings from 10:00am-12:00pm, on the west lawn of Blue Boat Playground (4414 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA 94122). Additionally, I host one Saturday session per month, plus off-site field trips to explore an ecosystem we have been learning about. These are typically within a 30-40 minute drive.
What Do We Do Together?
1) We warm up with a hands-on sensory activity.
Activities have included: water, paint, clay, sand, animal models, and more!
2) We gather for a song circle with simple rhymes, songs, and stories.
These follow a topic each month related to local ecosystems. For example, birds, tide pools, bugs, chaparral.
3) We go on an exploration hike in the park, beginning at about 11 am.
We allow children to explore at their own pace, and only travel a toddler distance. We often use tools such as hand lenses or pocket guides to help us investigate our surroundings. It is always optional to join the hike, and always magical!
4) Some families stay after to play at the playground together.
How do I Join?
You can drop-in to any single session by selecting a date on our calendar page. You can also become a monthly member if you'd like to attend Nature Circle regularly at lower rates, and you can cancel anytime.
PLEASE NOTE: Membership is paused at this time, as we are nearing the end of this cycle (June 5th). Stay tuned for memberships to start up again in September!
What do I bring?
Dress for the weather, and in clothes than can get dirty. You may want to pack a change of clothes.
Go to "Ready for the Rain" page for more helpful info about how to prepare for different weather.
We have a large tarp we sit on together for song circle, but you are welcome to bring your own blanket or a camp chair if you like.
Bring your usual snacks and water.
Children's Nature Circle Leader
My name is Helen Gilbert Gaus. I grew up in the woods, became an artist and a parent in the city, then followed the call back to nature. It began as just playing outside every day with my daughter. It grew into learning everything I could about forest schools, forest ecology, and CA ecosystems, and eventually turned into leading my own programs.
I live bi-coastally. Last year I launched a summer forest school program in Connecticut. I also began leading educator coaching sessions with Children's Council here in San Francisco. Previously, my introduction to early childhood education was through working at a Reggio preschool and becoming the song leader for a Waldorf group. I am inspired by outdoor emergent curricula and child-led learning, as well as methods of supporting neurodivergent learners. The most important lesson, that I am always relearning as a parent and a teacher, is to recognize when it's time to step back and give them room! I started Children's Nature Circle at Blue Boat playground last spring of 2025.
Additionally, I am Red Cross certified in pediatric and adult first aid and CPR, as well as NOLS certified in wilderness first aid. I am on my way to a certificate as a CT Master Woodland Manager in 2026.
What's coming up:
January-June 2026
Regular Friday sessions begin January 2nd and end June 5th for summer break.
January
Bugs, Rain, Mud, Mushrooms
This month we will expect at least some wet and muddy sessions. We'll celebrate with some favorite topics including bugs! Wear rain gear and pack a change so we can enjoy digging in the mud, looking under logs for salamanders, and singing songs on the move. If we have clear weather, we'll circle as usual with activities.
February
Migrations
This month we're thinking about how animals move following cycles, what visitors we may see passing through, and how we can support them! Learn about humpback whales, salmon, Monarch butterflies, and more.
March
Growing plants, Blooming Flowers, Changing Weather
Together we will sprout seeds and watch how they grow, make prints and dyes with flowers, and learn about some native wildflowers and their animal relationships! We will also learn and sing about the weather how plants respond to changing seasons.
**Friday, 3/20 Join us for a special session with guest teacher Josh and his traveling astronomy classroom, AstroEverywhere.
We will explore ways to safely look at the sun, and think about the sun and changing seasons as we reach the spring equinox!**
April, May
Pond and Stream Life!
Who lives in the pond? Who swims in the creeks? Let's explore the aquatic animals and plants! Familiar and strange, big and small, we need them all.
-Saturday session 4/25
-China Camp overnight 5/9
-Special member thank you tee shirt tie dye session 5/29
June
June 5th, our last session of the season, we will be joined by a guest presenter and animal ambassador from NorCal Bats.
See you in September!