Campus Exploration & Stewardship

Ask any kindergartener about studying the Mary tree in Nature class. Or talk to a Fifth Grader about why we compost, and how to do it well. The role our nature-filled, 11-acre campus plays in the lives of our students will be immediately obvious. 

From fort-making with fallen branches to “cooking” in the sandbox with all variety of seed pods and petals or observing the creatures that live amongst the roots of trees, kids at Plymouth have a keen appreciation for the bounty of the natural world and an instinct, supported by the Quaker testimony of Stewardship, to offer care and protection for not only the plants and animals on Plymouth’s campus, but also the whole planet. 

Outdoor exploration happens in all kinds of weather, at recess and during class. You might see kindergartners visiting and journaling about the seasonal changes they observe in a favorite tree, or Fifth Graders digging for and learning about the local decomposers and the role they play in a sustainable ecosystem. Our after-school beekeeping club helps ensure our campus bee colony is happy and producing delicious honey. And at the start of each winter, our First and Second Graders  provide a small feast for feathered and furred friends during their annual Night Tree Celebration. We recognize that maintaining children’s connection to the natural world not only benefits their physical and emotional well-being, but is also critical for creating the next generation of leaders in environmental sustainability.