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Nature-Based Educator

Nature-Based Educator

Hosted by: Ade Hofmann

Welcome to, The Outside the Box Podcast Where nature, play, and vision reshape what education can be. Together, we explore what it means to build a hand-crafted education shaped by place, purpose, and play. Through...

Episodes

EP 42: What Your Program is Trying to Teach You

Season #2

The Summer Reset Series – Episode 2 As nature-based educators, we spend so much of our time observing children. We watch before we intervene. We notice patterns. We stay curious. We trust that careful observation...
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EP 41: 5 Questions Every Nature-Based Director Should Ask Before Fall

Season #2

Fall planning has a way of sneaking up on us. Before we know it, we're thinking about curriculum, enrollment, staffing, schedules, and all the things we want to improve for the coming year. But before you dive into...
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EP 40: Before You Rush Into Fall...

Season #2

Before You Rush Into Fall... One Last Summer Conversation Before We Reset As nature-based educators and program founders, it's easy to believe that every spare moment of summer should be spent planning for fall....
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EP 39: Leading Summer Programs Without Burning Out

Season #2

Episode 3: Leading Summer Programs Without Burning Out Practical Support for Nature-Based Directors and Outdoor Educators As we wrap up our Sustainable Summer Series, we're zooming out to talk about leadership. Summer...
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EP 38: Summer Survival For Nature-Based Educators

Season #2

Episode 2: Summer Survival for Nature-Based Educators Staying Regulated, Hydrated, and Human During Camp Season Summer camps and outdoor programs don't have to be packed with activities to be meaningful. In this...
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EP 37: How To Avoid Summer Burnout In Outdoor Education

Season #2

HOW TO AVOID SUMMER BURNOUT IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION Heat, Hydration, Boundaries, and Sustainable Summer Rhythms Summer programming is magical—but it can also be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. In this...
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EP36: You Made It Through The Year... Now What?

Season #2

The end of the school year often leads straight into summer planning—but if you’re a nature-based director, forest school leader, or outdoor educator, skipping reflection can lead to burnout. In this episode, Ade...
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EP 35: 5 Ways to Reignite If You're Burning Out in the Classroom

Season #2

Feeling burned out in the classroom—even though you still love the work? In this episode, Ade shares five practical ways to reignite joy, connection, and creativity when teaching starts to feel heavy. From putting the...
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EP 34: Hard Decisions in Nature-Based Programs: Policies, Families, and Leadership Boundaries

Season #2

Running a nature- and play-based program comes with beautiful, meaningful work—but also incredibly hard, often invisible decisions. In this episode, we talk about what it really looks like to lead when things feel...
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33. Why Play Is the Most Rigorous Standard in Education

Season #2

Is play really rigorous? In this episode, Ade unpacks why play is not a break from learning—but the deepest, most demanding form of it. If you’re leading a nature- and play-based program and ever feel pressure to...
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EP 31: 3 Things Every Nature-Based Program Needs to Thrive

Season #2

Show Notes & Links: Referenced in this episode: Episode 25: Three Steps to Launching Your Nature-Based Program from Scratch The Nature Play Blueprint: 4-Week Intensive Mentorship 1:1 Mentorship with Ade —...
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EP 32 How to Handle Big Emotions Outdoors (Without Losing Your Mind)

Season #2

🌿 Episode Overview In today’s episode, Ade breaks down a challenge every outdoor educator faces: big emotions in big spaces. While nature is calming, children still bring their full nervous systems outside—and...
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