Outdoor Classrooms Podcast

About Outdoor Classrooms Podcast

The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast is the podcast for teachers and parents and anyone interested in cultivating learning gardens and nature-based curricula for children. It’s a show that will help you transform your outdoor space and will offer “seeds of inspiration” for playful learning outdoors. Each week, Victoria Hackett and her guests will share tips and actionable strategies that you will need in order to set in motion, manage and grow your Outdoor Classroom. You’ll learn how to implement the 5 Phases of Teaching Outdoors, all while providing a new way of learning for your children! Studies have shown that children who learn outdoors in all seasons “develop a sense of self, independence, confidence, creativity, decision-making, problem-solving skills, empathy towards others, motor skills, self-discipline, and initiative.” Victoria Hackett is the founder of Outdoor-Classrooms.com, The CIRCLE Membership community, and The Secret Gardens Demonstration Outdoor Classroom. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more, head on over to our virtual playground at outdoor-classrooms.com.

Publisher

Victoria Hackett, M.Ed: Learning Gardens and Nature Based Curriculum

Category

education · education · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

31 Jan 2023

Latest episode

27 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

228 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Oct 2026

   222: Vivalina Grows a Gourd! From Garden to Classroom with Graham Ottoson & Ann Kumpf

   Episode 222: Vivalina Grows a Gourd! From Garden to Classroom with Graham Ottoson & Ann Kumpf What if one tiny seed could inspire a world of creativity, curiosity, and outdoor learning? In this episode of The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, host Victoria Hackett welcomes Graham Ottoson, artist, author, and founder of Gourdlandia in Ithaca, New York, and Ann Kumpf, outdoor educator and nature-based occupational therapist at Cambridge School in Baltimore, Maryland. Together, we explore the fascinating world of gourds and how these unique plants can become powerful tools for hands-on learning, storytelling, art, science, and connecting children with nature. Graham shares her unexpected journey from midwife to gourd artist and the inspiration behind her debut children's book, Vivalina Grows a Gourd! Ann brings the educator's perspective, sharing how growing and crafting with gourds can spark children's curiosity and connect outdoor experiences with classroom learning. In This Episode, We Explore: What gourds are, how they grow, and what makes them so unique. The process of harvesting, drying, and transforming gourds into works of art. Creative ways to incorporate gourds into outdoor classrooms and school gardens. Connecting gourds to science, history, art, storytelling, and hands-on learning. The inspiration behind Vivalina Grows a Gourd! and its message for the next generation. How educators and families can start small by growing gourds with children. Gourdlandia's annual free seed giveaway. Meet Our Guests: Graham Ottoson is the artist behind Gourdlandia in Ithaca, New York, where she grows gourds and transforms them into beautiful lamps. Her work has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, and Atlas Obscura. After 25 years as a midwife, Graham followed her creativity into the wonderful world of gourds. Her debut children's book, Vivalina Grows a Gourd!, invites children and families to discover the joy of growing. Ann Kumpf, OTR/L, is the Outdoor Education Coordinator at Cambridge School in Baltimore, Maryland. She helps educators connect classroom curriculum with meaningful outdoor experiences. As a nature-based occupational therapist, Ann is passionate about using the natural world to support children's learning, development, and well-being. Connect with Grahm: Gourdlandia: https://www.gourdlandia.com (https://www.gourdlandia.com/) Graham's Book: Vivalina Grows a Gourd! — Learn more through Gourdlandia. Free Gourd Seeds: Visit Gourdlandia to learn about the annual seed giveaway. Outdoor Classrooms: https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com (https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/) Connect with Ann: Ann Kumpf, OTR/L, is the Outdoor Education Coordinator at Cambridge School in Baltimore, Maryland, where she helps educators bring curriculum to life through meaningful outdoor experiences. Outdoor Education at Cambridge School: https://www.cambridgeschool.org/outdoor-education (https://www.cambridgeschool.org/outdoor-education) Read Ann's Article — Outdoor Education: A Rich Environment for Growth and Learning: https://www.cambridgeschool.org/blog/outdoor-education (https://www.cambridgeschool.org/blog/outdoor-education) A Little Inspiration At Outdoor Classrooms, we believe meaningful change often begins with one small step. Whether you're planting your first gourd seed, exploring natural materials with children, or discovering new ways to bring learning outdoors, the possibilities are endless. Dream Big. Start Small. Cultivate Change. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe to The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, share this episode with a fellow educator, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (http://Apple Podcasts). Your support helps us inspire more educators to bring learning outdoors! Please rate or comment on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Rsto8CybjcuAj9jMDMqZQ?si=bee12f02aeab4356). Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/)(halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program (https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/outdoor-classrooms-teacher-certification-program/) 🌸 CIRCLE Membership (https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/circle-membership/) Community Connect with Victoria: Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com (http://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/) Email: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com (mailto:Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com) Instagram (http://nstagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/) Facebook (http://Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1) Sponsorship Opportunities: If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families. Contact Victoria at victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com (mailto:victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com) to learn more. Subscribe to the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast! Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outdoor-classrooms-podcast/id1669914286), and rate or comment on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Rsto8CybjcuAj9jMDMqZQ?si=bee12f02aeab4356). Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

2. 

   20 Oct 2026

   221: Farm School’d: Bringing Forest School to Every Child with Dr. Jean Lomino

   Episode 221: Farm School’d: Bringing Forest School to Every Child with Dr. Jean Lomino What if the principles of forest school weren’t limited to forest schools? In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Jean Lomino, founder of the Forest School Teacher Institute, co-founder of Tennessee’s first forest kindergarten, and a longtime leader in nature-based education. Jean has helped train more than 1,000 forest school educators and directors from around the world, but what I love most about this conversation is the bigger question behind her work: How can we make meaningful outdoor learning accessible to ALL children? We talk about Jean’s journey from classroom teacher to forest school leader, what children can teach us when we give them time and freedom outdoors, and how forest school principles can begin finding their way into traditional and public school settings. We also talk about Jean’s recent appearance in the documentary Farm School’d and what she hopes it will help people understand about children, learning, and our relationship with the natural world. In this episode, we explore: • Jean’s journey into forest school education • Her experience being featured in Farm School’d • What children teach us when we slow down and follow their lead • Why outdoor learning doesn’t require a perfect forest or acres of land • The growing possibilities for forest programs within public schools • How educators can begin with one small step • Jean’s vision for the future of children, nature, and education This conversation is an invitation to think bigger about what education could become—and to remember that meaningful change often begins small. Dream Big. Start Small. Cultivate Change. Contact Dr. Jean Lomino Founder & Director, Forest School Teacher Institute Email: jean@forestteacher.org (mailto:jean@forestteacher.org) General email: info@forestteacher.org (mailto:info@forestteacher.org) Website: Forest School Teacher Institute (https://www.forestteacher.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria: Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com (http://www.outdoor-classrooms.com) Email: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com (mailto:Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/ (https://www.instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1 (https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1) Sponsorship Opportunities: If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families. Contact Victoria at victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com (mailto:victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com) to learn more. Subscribe to the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this conversation with a fellow educator or parent. Your support helps more people discover the transformative power of nature-based education. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

3. 

   13 Oct 2026

   220: Winter Friends: Cultivating Wonder Through Nature with Peter Dargatz

   Episode 220: Winter Friends: Cultivating Wonder Through Nature with Peter Dargatz What happens when we slow down, step outside, and give children time to truly notice the natural world around them? In this episode of The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, I’m joined by educator, nature kindergarten teacher, and author Peter Dargatz to celebrate his new children’s book, Winter Friends. Peter is also the author of Teaching Off Trail and has spent years helping children learn through play, exploration, curiosity, and connection with nature. We talk about how those experiences inspired Winter Friends and what it means for Peter to fulfill a longtime dream of becoming a children’s book author. We also explore the power of slowing down and noticing, the unique opportunities winter offers for outdoor learning, and how children’s literature can become a bridge between reading about nature and actually experiencing it. In this episode, we explore: • The inspiration behind Winter Friends • Peter’s journey from nature kindergarten teacher to children’s book author • Helping children notice, wonder, and connect with nature • Why winter is rich with opportunities for outdoor learning • Using children’s books as a springboard for outdoor exploration • Giving educators permission to start small This conversation is a beautiful reminder that cultivating wonder doesn’t require a perfect outdoor space or an elaborate lesson. Sometimes it simply begins when we open the door, step outside, and notice what’s already there. Dream Big. Start Small. Cultivate Change. Meet Peter: Peter Dargatz is a nature-loving kindergarten teacher and retired racing sausage. In 2016, he created an outdoor classroom at his public school in Wisconsins and has since further developed it into a school-wide collaboration with a local nature center and a district-wide family nature club. He has written two books so far. TEACHING OFF TRAIL focuses on his unique teaching style and his debut picture book, WINTER FRIENDS, will be released Tuesday, October 27th. When he's not writing, he is enjoying time on his family farm with his wife, kids, cats, and chickens. Learn more about Peter Dargatz at PeterDargatz.com (http://peterdargatz.com/) and look for Winter Friends wherever books are sold. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/)(halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program (https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/outdoor-classrooms-teacher-certification-program/) 🌸 CIRCLE Membership (https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/circle-membership/) Community Connect with Victoria: Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com (http://www.outdoor-classrooms.com/) Email: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com (mailto:Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com) Instagram (http://nstagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/) Facebook (http://Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1) Sponsorship Opportunities: If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families. Contact Victoria at victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com (mailto:victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com) to learn more. Subscribe to the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this conversation with a fellow educator or parent. Your support helps more people discover the transformative power of nature-based education. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outdoor-classrooms-podcast/id1669914286), and rate or comment on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Rsto8CybjcuAj9jMDMqZQ?si=bee12f02aeab4356). Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

Who has been a guest on Outdoor Classrooms Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ryan Blosser
• Jan Plourde
• Jorja Dearing
• Victoria Hackett

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

18 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

91

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

Contact Outdoor Classrooms Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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