(June 4, 2014) – Warren Village is pleased to announce an $18,000 grant by the US Forest Service which will provide resources to build a new Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom. The Arbor Day Foundation partnered with Qualistar Colorado, a quality improvement organization for early childhood education in Colorado, to select Warren Village as the learning center in Denver to receive an outdoor classroom. The outdoor classroom, designed by Nature Explore, a collaborative program of the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, transforms the current playground used by our preschool children and families, into a nurturing environment that incorporates nature-based experiences as an integral, joyful part of children’s daily learning.
Mary Wagner, Associate Chief of the US Forest Service voiced her agency’s dedication, “The Forest Service is committed to connecting kids with nature and the outdoors by providing students and teachers with resources related to natural resources and the environment.”
Brett Dabb, the Warren Village Learning Center Director shares his personal passion for the environment and experiential learning opportunities for kids, “Exploring nature is an ideal way for children to learn. Nature enables children to use all their senses; they are able to observe the world around them in a critical manner which leads to a meaningful learning experience.”
Warren Village’s President and CEO Sharon Knight adds, “At Warren Village we are always looking for innovative ways to provide our children with high quality learning experiences. We are grateful for having been chosen for this grant, it demonstrates the US Forest Service’s commitment to providing children alternative learning opportunities.”
