Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you meet each week? 

We meet at different outdoor locations each week in the surrounding area of each class. We try to keep the locations between 5 and 30 minutes away. However, there are a handful of locations during the school year that will be a longer drive. The places we go range from open space, forest preserves, parks, gardens, farms, and beaches. Each parent will receive a calendar and a weekly email with specifics to each location.

What do you do when it rains?

Playing in the rain and mud offers wonderful learning opportunities for children at this age.  Some of our locations have picnic shelters that we use for extreme weather.  Our Information guides are live documents, so we make changes if there is a weather change on the document. Keep your links in an accessible spot.

What is a typical day at Tiny Treks?

We begin each class with a hang out and gather. We then move to circle time where we sing songs and get warmed up for the day. We then go on a hike exploring the special things that each location has to offer. During the hike we will usually find a place to do story time with a healthy snack. We may have down time from the hike with either nature related projects, music and movement and/or games. Although each destination makes for a different day, there is continuity throughout the year through our curriculum and structure. We end each class with a closing circle.

If I can't make my day can I attend another class?

We have implemented a no make ups no exception policy. One of our core values is the bonding and consistency that comes from our groups staying together all year. We do not have families popping into the classes for make ups. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Can I take a class with more than one child?

Yes. We welcome siblings and have a sibling discount of 5%. Use the Code SIBLING

Can I bring a baby sibling?

Yes. We are a very family friendly program. We even spell out in our information guide stroller accessible locations for baby toting parents.

Babies under 9 months are free during the school year. Babies over 10 months become participants and we ask you to sign them up because they will be taking a space in the class.

Are there any weeks off?

We try to follow the school calendar of each main location. This includes Thanksgiving week, winter break, February break, and spring break.

I know in a traditional parent participation program my child will be exposed to colors, the alphabet, etc. Are they exposed to these things in Tiny Treks?

Our curriculum has been carefully developed over the years to intertwine basic learning with nature. We feel that there is no better exposure to the building blocks of language, science, music, art and exploration than in a vibrant natural setting.

Do you host parties for children? 

Yes, we have several wonderful nature theme parties to choose from. All parties are led by trained Tiny Treks staff. See the party page for more information.

What is the history of Tiny Treks?

Tiny Treks was founded in 1997 as an innovative alternative to indoor early childhood programming.

"I wanted to create something different, something I wish I had taken with my first two kids. I was familiar with a few wonderful outdoor preschool programs for older children, and I wanted to create something that would be a magical morning for parents and their children that would tie into my strong love of the outdoors and my philosophies about unplugging this generation. The research shows that children in today's fast-pace world have lost touch with their natural surroundings." Pam combined her love of nature and her expertise on healthy, unplugged life styles for young children to create Tiny Treks.

The mother of four children, Pam has worked extensively to develop a curriculum that is fun and stimulating for Tiny Treks participants. She has also created easy and fair policies, such as a flexible make-up policy, the ability to bring babies to class, and on special occasions to bring school-age siblings with days off to class.

It is so important for all of humankind to stay connected with nature. Through wonderful hikes, music, crafts, snacks and stories, Tiny Treks families enjoy the natural world while staying connected to each other in the process.

I have even more questions than answered here. Is there anyone I can talk to?

Of course! Feel free at any time to call the program director, Pam Worth, at (650)722-0059 or e-mail her at pam@tinytreks.com.