Outdoor Classrooms Podcast

Episode 182: "Oh, The Places You Will Go" – Ocean State Kids with Marial Leisge
Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour with Marial Leisge, founder of Ocean State Kids, a nonprofit supporting parents as their child’s most influential teacher. In this Circle Member Tour & Talk, we explore the many programs Ocean State Kids offers across Rhode Island, from outdoor learning spaces to hands-on experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, and connection in children.
💡 Circle Members get exclusive access to the full photo tour! Become a member today to go behind the scenes and see how Ocean State Kids empowers families to support their children’s growth.
Inside this episode, you’ll discover:
Stories and photos from Ocean State Kids’ programs across Rhode Island.
How Marial fosters exploration, independence, and playful learning.
Inspiration for parents, educators, and caregivers to create meaningful, nature-based experiences for children.
About Marial Leisge:
Marial Leisge is the founder of Ocean State Kids, a thriving community that helps parents become their child’s most influential teacher. A former branding and marketing professional, she shifted her career to education after her own journey into motherhood inspired a passion for supporting children and families in new, intentional ways.
Marial is a CIRCLE Member and part of the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification program, deepening her expertise in nature-based learning, child development, and inclusive education. Her experiences as a mother to her son Otto, a Gestalt Language Processor, have shaped her approach to creating programs that honor children’s unique learning styles, foster confidence, and encourage curiosity.
Whether she’s leading outdoor programs, crafting parent-centered workshops, or simply enjoying a moment of wonder with her own family, Marial is dedicated to building communities where children can explore, grow, and thrive—and where parents are empowered to guide them every step of the way.
🎧 Tune in and see the places young learners—and their guides—can go!
🌱 A Note for Potential Sponsors
As we head into 2026, Outdoor Classrooms is seeking values-aligned sponsors who believe in nature-based education, community-centered learning, and teaching beyond walls.
If that sounds like you—or someone you know—we’d love to connect.
🔗 Learn More & Stay Connected:
FREE Resource: www.outdoor-classrooms.com
🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)
Resources & Links:
🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program
🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp
🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)
🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course
🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators
🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge
🌸

In this heartfelt episode, we celebrate the life and legacy of Juliet Robertson, a passionate advocate for outdoor learning and play. Juliet inspired countless educators to embrace messy, hands-on experiences and to see the natural world as a classroom full of wonder.
We reflect on her approach to teaching outdoors, her dedication to supporting teachers, and the joy she brought to children and adults alike. This episode is a tribute to her vision: that learning is richest when it’s playful, engaging, and a little bit messy.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Stories that capture Juliet’s infectious curiosity and joy for learning.
Reflections on the impact she had on the outdoor education community.
Insights into why embracing mess, exploration, and wonder matters in teaching.

Whether you knew Juliet personally or are discovering her work for the first time, this episode is a celebration of her spirit and the enduring mark she leaves on educators and learners everywhere.
Resources & Links:
Juliet Robertson’s Resources – Explore her thoughts on outdoor learning and play.
CREATIVE STAR LEARNING

Reflection Prompt
Where might you loosen your grip and allow learning to unfold more freely?
Quote
“Learning is not something we control—it is something we make space for.”
— Inspired by Juliet Robertson
Join the Community:
Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?
👉 Join the CIRCLE Membership and grow into a more confident, connected outdoor classroom leader.

FREE Resource:
🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)

Resources & Links:
🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program
🎓 Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp
🎓 Seasonal Masterclass Bundle (includes Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass)
🎓 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone Course
🌸 CIRCLE Membership for Educators
🌿 30-Day Gratitude in Nature Challenge
🌸 1-hour Online Workshop Library
🎧 Episode 36, Messy Maths with Juliet Robertson

Connect with Victoria:
WEBSITE:

In this special reflective episode, I pause to look back on 2025—a year filled with growth, connection, creativity, and community inside Outdoor Classrooms.
Rather than an interview, this episode is an invitation to slow down. Together, we reflect on what it truly means to build outdoor classrooms over time—with intention, curiosity, and care—while looking ahead to what’s taking root for 2026.
🎙 In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

🌱 Beginning and ending 2025 with the Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp
How starting—and closing—the year with Bootcamp created a powerful, cyclical rhythm for educators moving through the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program.

🌸 Life in the Secret Gardens
Parent/child classes, drop-off afterschool programs, birthday celebrations, an art show, and what it looks like when children and adults are given space to truly slow down and connect with nature.

🔵 Teaching Beyond Walls Capstone & Certification Milestones
Celebrating our first graduates, their powerful capstone projects, and the ever-growing Graduate Testimonials page.

🏫 Professional Development & Conference Presentations
Training with Evergreen Day School (Cambridge, MA), Roots and Wings Nature School (NH), Brookwood School (Beverly,Ma) and presentations at Natural Start and MEES.

🎧 179 Podcast Episodes & a Growing Listener Community
Reflections on the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, reaching over 1,000 listeners each month, and what these conversations mean moving forward.

🌿 CIRCLE Membership highlights
12 new workshops added in 2025
12 books read together
Monthly Roundtable discussions
Seasonal masterclasses: Exploring Nature in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall

✍️ Personal milestones
Writing and submitting the first draft of my book, traveling to Acadia National Park and Joshua Tree, and how place continues to shape this work.

🌟 Looking Ahead to 2026
In the final portion of the episode, I share what’s guiding me into the new year:
A commitment to documenting 2026 with one video a day
Using nature as a healing and reflective tool through seasonal living, cooking from the garden, intentional walks, journaling, and habit-building
Expanding CIRCLE Gatherings in the Secret Gardens to deepen community connection
Preparing the January edition of the CIRCLE Chronicle, including:
Our 2026 book list for Roundtable Discussions
12 new monthly workshop topics
Exploring opportunities to connect the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program with higher education pathways
Seeking like-minded sponsors for the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast to help reach even more educators while staying deeply aligned with our values

💬 Featured Reflections from the Community:
“This podcast reminds me why I became a teacher. It grounds me and gives me permission to slow down.”
“This program gave me language for what I already felt in my bones.”
“CIRCLE feels like professional development that also feeds my soul.”

🌱 A Note for Potential Sponsors
As we head into 2026, Outdoor Classrooms is seeking values-aligned sponsors who believe in nature-based education, community-centered learning, and teaching beyond walls.
If that sounds like you—or someone you know—we’d love to connect.

🔗 Learn More & Stay Connected
FREE Resource:
🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page)

Resources & Links:
🎓

In this episode, Victoria guides educators through an inspiring and actionable journey of setting meaningful New Year goals for their Outdoor Classroom using the Four Types of Teaching Gardens:
Gardens that Feed
Gardens that Attract Wildlife
Gardens for Art and Beauty
Gardens as Outdoor Learning Stations

Building on the reflective questions shared in the latest Seedling News PDF, this episode brings those prompts to life—helping you turn reflection into a clear, garden-centered plan for the year ahead.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
🌱 Why goal-setting matters
How intention, not perfection, shapes a thriving Outdoor Classroom.

🥕 How to develop goals for Gardens that Feed
Ideas for edible planting, cultural foods, composting, and hands-on culinary rituals for kids.

🦋 Ways to invite more wildlife into your space
Tips for creating habitat, expanding native plantings, and supporting children as citizen scientists.

🎨 How to cultivate beauty, creativity, and art outdoors
From color gardens to nature looms, this segment explores aesthetic and sensory-rich garden features that nurture imagination.

🔍 How to strengthen your Outdoor Learning Stations
Practical strategies for evolving your mud kitchen, literacy areas, STEM zones, and sensory spaces.

🗂 How to build a simple, seasonal action plan
Victoria walks you through choosing ONE goal for each garden type—and spreading those steps across winter and spring.

Reflection Questions Featured:
What do you want your outdoor classroom to become this year?
Which plants, wildlife, art elements, or learning stations most engaged children last season?
What do you want children to feel, experience, and discover in each garden area?
What support or structure will help you bring your goals to life?

Resources Mentioned:
Seedling News Reflective PDF – Use it alongside this episode to map out your year
The Four Types of Teaching Gardens Framework: Learn more in our Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program
CIRCLE Membership Community – For educators ready to grow deeper and connect with others on the same journey
Join the Community:
Want to continue the conversation, access our workshop library, or collaborate with like-minded educators?
👉

Winter is often seen as a season to endure—but what if it’s actually a season that gives? In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, Victoria Hackett explores how winter can support children’s development, emotional regulation, and creativity, while also offering adults a chance to slow down, recalibrate, and reconnect with the natural rhythms of the world.
We’ll talk about:
The state of childhood today and how screens and busy schedules have disconnected children from the seasons.
What nature teaches us about winter and the importance of slowing down.
How embracing winter benefits children’s resilience, creativity, and emotional well-being.
Why adults benefit from leaning into the season too—and how modeling curiosity matters.
A simple winter philosophy for educators and parents: dress well, notice more, slow down, and follow the children.
If you’re ready to move beyond winter survival and embrace it as a partner in learning, this episode is for you.
🎓 Go Deeper with the Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass
If this episode inspires you, you can explore winter more intentionally through our Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass, opening January 2. The first LIVE session is January 8 from 7:00–8:00 pm EST. This four-week course is part of our Seasonal Masterclass Bundle—buy one and get all four seasonal courses—or as part of the Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program.
Resources & Links:
Exploring Nature in Winter Masterclass
Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program
Follow & Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/
Facebook: Outdoor Classrooms
Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com
Key Takeaways:
Winter is not a dead season—it’s regenerative and full of learning opportunities.
Children need stillness, sensory experiences, and seasonal rhythms for healthy development.
Adults modeling curiosity and presence outdoors helps children thrive.
Slowing down, noticing, and following the children is the most powerful winter philosophy.
Listener Challenge:
This week, step outside with your children (or your students) and pause for five minutes. Notice one small change in the landscape, one sound, or one texture that tells the story of winter. Share your observations in the comments or on social media with #OutdoorClassroomsPodcast.