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 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, we have an off-site field trip each month 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, and various animal / landscape models.
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 11:15 am.
We allow children to explore at their own pace, and only travel a toddler distance. 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 join any single session or event by selecting a date on our calendar page. You can also become a monthly member if you'd like to attend Nature Circle weekly at lower rates, including additional sessions and events.
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.
Bring a blanket to sit on if you have one. If you don't you an share ours!
Bring snacks and water as you like.
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, and eventually turned into leading my own programs.
I live bi-coastally. This year I launched a summer forest school program in Connecticut. I also began leading educator coaching sessions with Children's Council here in the city. Previously, my introduction to early childhood education was through working at a Reggio preschool and becoming the song leader for a Waldorf playgroup. 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.
This winter and spring we will have special guest presenters for the first time! We will learn about ways to safely look at the sun and play with our shadows, meet real live bats, and more! Stay tuned for details and dates.
**Save the following dates!**
Saturday 1/24 Forest School Fair
Saturday 5/9 Nature Circle camping overnight at China Camp State Park!
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.
March-May
Topics to be announced, regular sessions with 1 week recess in April