Earth Kids: Homeschool & Holiday
Northey Street City Farm is a vibrant 2.5-hectare learning space, with shady trees, orchards, vegetable gardens, and bush regeneration areas along Enoggera Creek. Within this setting, Earth Kids is a nature-based program that supports children aged 6–12 to fall in love with and care for the Earth.
The program is informed by the Permaculture ethics of People Care, Earth Care, and Fair Share, and inspired by the Coyote Mentoring approach to nature connection. Activities are designed to spark curiosity and creativity, support the development of life skills, and nurture a deep sense of respect and care for the land and all its beings.
Following the seasons, sessions may include gardening; storytelling; art-making; cubby-building; Indigenous perspectives; campfire cooking; flora, fauna, and fungi exploration; seasonal observations; games; and more.
As part of the Earth Kids program, children are given “nature names” (usually local plants or animals that live at the Farm) and introduced to some core routines of nature connection. These include sit spots (referred to in Earth Kids as “magic spots”), story of the day, bird language, expanding the senses, exploring field guides and mapping.
Earth Kids also offers partial scholarships, available to First Nations families through Humanitix and to children whose parents or guardians volunteer on the program. For enquiries, please contact the youth education coordinator at youthedn@nscf.org.au.
More information about the program is available in the Parents and Guardians Handbook.
Volunteering in the Program
Register your interest by filling out this form. All volunteers are required to complete an induction before the program and some may be required to have a valid Blue Card.
In addition to supporting children’s participation, volunteers have the opportunity to learn about the program content, including approaches to nature connection and permaculture.
Testimonials
“We were lucky to come across the Homeschool Earth Kids program after a post on Facebook. Little did we know what an important part of our life the Northey Street City Farm would be for us. We found Earth Kids to be a welcoming safe place to make new friendships. Connecting with nature and our body also helped us to stay grounded throughout a big transition.
I have been volunteering for 3 terms and have learnt a lot. Each week my girls and l look forward to the session and new adventures. We are more in tune with nature and have learnt to appreciate all native trees and animals we used to ignore or did not know much about. All the games, art, crafts, and gardening activities are very educational. Each term an expert is invited to give a very interesting talk and every week Emma also suggests more activities for additional learning at home.
Earth Kids is a very relaxing space to connect with beautiful people in a little green oasis next to the city. Thanks again to the amazing teachers for having us.”
– Paula, Volunteer Parent
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