Introducing Keystone Nature Preschool!

For the past five summers, NSEA’s campus has been alive with laughter, curiosity, songs, puppet shows, and plenty of silliness thanks to our beloved Camp Keystone summer day camp. This year, we are thrilled to expand that joy into the school year with the launch of Keystone Nature Preschool!

At NSEA, education begins by nurturing children’s natural curiosity. And there is nothing more curious than 3–5-year-old child. Keystone Nature Preschool embraces emergent learning—an approach that follows the interests of children and turns simple moments into meaningful discoveries.

This summer, for example, campers spotted dragonflies soaring over the field. Instead of simply moving on, our educators leaned into the children’s excitement. Soon, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, leaves, and twigs became handcrafted dragonflies with wings and antennae. The campers raced through the field with their creations until one child had a brilliant idea: “Let’s make them fly!” With string tied to their dragonflies, the kids transformed them into kites, running joyfully across the lawn, pulling their dragon flies behind them. By following the children’s lead, their curiosity blossomed into creativity, connection, and wonder. That spirit of discovery is at the heart of Keystone Nature Preschool.

Beginning September 8 and running through June 5, Keystone Nature Preschool will welcome preschoolers from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day. Rooted in the theme of salmon and watershed learning, children will sing, dance, climb, explore, and play their way through seasonal adventures in nature. Like Camp Keystone, our preschool will operate as a licensed, outdoor, nature-based program through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, with subsidies available to support Whatcom County families.

We couldn’t be more excited for this new chapter. For the first time, NSEA will be connecting with children throughout the school year—helping early learners build a lifelong relationship with the natural world while developing the academic, physical, and social-emotional skills that will prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.

Learn more about Keystone Nature Preschool at www.n-sea.org/keystone-nature-preschool. Questions? Contact Nathan Zabel at nzabel@n-sea.org.