Rooted Nature Academy

Rooted Nature Academy
Growing little hearts rooted in faith, wonder, and the natural world
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Fall 2026 Enrollment Update
Rooted Nature Academy is currently at capacity for our Fall 2026 semester. We are so grateful for the interest and encouragement from local families! Families are welcome to join the waitlist, and we will reach out if space becomes available. 
Join our Fall 2026 Waitlist
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A quick note: This video was filmed during a pilot Outdoor Open Play gathering hosted at my home as we explored interest in a nature-based program for young children. While it captures the heart behind Rooted, Rooted Nature Academy will meet at our Johns Island partner site in a wooded outdoor classroom, not at the location shown here.
A Different Kind of Morning
At Rooted Nature Academy, mornings begin outdoors — with children exploring, playing, and learning through meaningful connections. They will build deep friendships with peers and teachers, deepen their relationship with nature, and discover more about themselves along the way.

For the 2026–2027 school year, we’ll gather on Johns Island near Main and Maybank, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
What Makes Us Different?
Rooted Nature Academy isn't just another mother's day out program — it's a transformative learning experience built around four core differentiators.
Fully Outdoor Environment
Every morning is spent outside in nature — rain or shine. Our classroom is the living world, and every season brings new lessons.
Christ-Centered Community
Faith is woven gently through our daily experiences — in gratitude, in wonder, and in how we care for one another and God's beautiful creation.
Mixed-Age Mentorship
Older siblings (ages 6–9) serve as helpers and leaders, building empathy and responsibility while younger children thrive alongside them.
Bilingual Dual Immersion
One goal for RNA is to have Spanish and English naturally woven into songs, stories, and daily routines — giving children a head start in language and expanding their worldview. If you are fluent in Spanish and would like to join our small, fun team- send us a message at rootednatureacademy@gmail.com. 
Tuition & Enrollment
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Notes
Three-day enrollment receives priority — it provides the most consistent experience for children.
$75 sibling discount available (applied after selecting attendance type).
Children under 2 are free with the Stay-With option (parent responsibility).
Each family provides one item from the classroom supply list per semester.
$75 non-refundable enrollment fee.
Our philosophy: Play. Wonder. Connection. Stewardship.
Faith, Wonder & the Natural World
We believe children grow best when rooted in faith, friendship and surrounded by creation. We want to create a space where children are learning to play and loving to learn. Our Reggio-inspired, play-based, child-centered approach fosters curiosity, wonder, and a deep connection to the living world — but at Rooted Nature Academy we take it one level deeper and connect all of play and wonder to God, Creator and Sustainer of all (Genesis 1 & Hebrews 1:3).
Bilingual & Inclusive by Design
At Rooted Nature Academy we hope to offer a dual immersion experience, that will weave bilingual instruction naturally into every morning. While our lessons will mainly be geared towards 2-5 year olds, we welcome a mixed-age community of children up to 10 years old, where older siblings serve as helpers and mentors.
Child-led, emergent curriculum
Faith woven through daily experiences
Bilingual instruction (dual immersion)
Mixed-age community 
Programs for Growing Minds
Early Childhood Program (learning to play) — Ages 2–5
Our core program is designed for young children ages 2 to 5. Children explore, create, and build friendships in a calm, faith-centered, bilingual outdoor environment. Small group, big discoveries.
Sibling Helper Program (loving to learn)— Ages 6–9
Limited spots available for older siblings in a helper/mentor role. Older children support younger friends, develop leadership and responsibility, and engage in hands-on outdoor experiences alongside the group.
We desire for each student to learn to play and love to learn at Rooted Nature Academy.
Our Morning Rhythm
Each day follows a predictable rhythm that helps children feel comfortable and engaged with the moment. Here is what a day at RNA could look like: 
1. Arrival & Check-In
Children get checked in by staff and start their morning with play at the center's playground.
2. Morning Circle
Snack, songs, stories, and wonder — in both English and Spanish.
3. Wonder Nature Walks 
Exploration through the landscape, guided by curiosity and discovery.
4. Open Play
Hands-on art, building, and continued discovery inspired by the morning's exploration.
5. Lunch & Read-Aloud
A nourishing break with shared stories read in both languages.
6. Community Clean-Up
Children practice stewardship by caring for their outdoor space together.
7. Closing Circle & Reflection
We gather to share observations, gratitude, and the joy of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions 
Where is Rooted located, and what does the space look like?
Rooted Nature Academy meets outdoors on Johns Island, near Maybank Highway and Main Road. For safety and privacy, the specific address is shared directly with enrolled families. Our outdoor classroom is located in a shaded wooded area with a simple loop trail, gathering area, child-friendly boundaries, loose parts, and opportunities for children to play, explore, build, wonder, and create together.
What happens when it rains?
Rooted follows a Nordic-inspired outdoor mindset: there is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. We will continue class as usual in light to moderate rain, and children will need high-quality rain gear so they can stay warm, dry, and comfortable while playing outside.
Our outdoor classroom will include a covered area where children can take a break from the rain as needed. In cases of severe weather, unsafe conditions, or school/weather closures, Rooted will follow Charleston County School District weather-related cancellations.

What should my child wear and bring?
Children should come dressed for outdoor play in clothes that can get wet, muddy, and sandy. Closed-toe shoes are required, and families should send a backpack with a water bottle, snack, lunch, and a full change of clothes. Rain gear will be important for wet days, and we will share a more detailed packing list with enrolled families before the semester begins.

What is your adult-to-child ratio?
Ratios vary slightly by day, but are aligned with DSS ratios. All RNA staff, regular volunteers, and participating adults will complete a background check before joining the program day so that every adult regularly present with children is cleared.

How do I secure my child’s spot?
A child’s spot is officially reserved once both the enrollment form and the non-refundable $75 registration fee have been received. Enrollment is semester-based, and if space becomes available after the semester begins, we plan to offer rolling enrollment from the waitlist when it is a good fit for the child, family, and current group rhythm.

How does tuition and withdrawal work?
Enrollment is semester-based, and tuition is paid monthly. If a family needs to withdraw mid-semester, we ask for 30 days written notice. Tuition is not prorated, and one final month of tuition remains due after notice is given. This helps us plan responsibly for staffing, enrollment, and program expenses.


About Me
Hi, I’m Lea Caswell, the founder of Rooted Nature Academy.
I’m a wife and mom to two little girls and some of our sweetest days are the ones spent outside — collecting treasures, asking questions, noticing details and rhythms all around us, and watching wonder unfold in ordinary places.
My background is in Environmental Science and I have a Masters in Environmental Education. I’ve spent over seven years working in informal education here in the Lowcountry- first at well-known camp and conference center on Seabrook Island and later at the South Carolina Aquarium, where I loved helping children and families connect with the incredible wildlife and ecosystems around us.
Over the years, the Lord has continued to grow in me a deep love for creation care — not just as a love for nature, but as a way of understanding our Creator in a deeper way. I’ve had the joy of teaching creation care classes and helping Christians think about what it means to steward God’s world with humility, gratitude, and wonder.
Rooted Nature Academy grew out of my desire to create a space where young children can slow down, play freely, build meaningful relationships, and encounter the beauty of God’s creation in a hands-on way. My hope is that each child who comes through Rooted would leave with muddy shoes, a curious mind, a brave heart, and a growing sense of wonder that points them back to God.
When I am not working on Rooted, you can find me baking sourdough bread, working in our raised bed garden or tending to our backyard chickens and ducks!

Contact Us
📧 Email Us
Reach out directly at rootednatureacademy@gmail.com — we'd love to answer your questions.
📞 Call or Text
Give us a call or send a text at (608) 239-0731. We're happy to chat about whether Rooted is the right fit for your family.
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Email Us
Growing Little Hearts Rooted in Faith, Wonder, and the Natural World
Rooted Nature Academy — Johns Island, SC. 