In Waldorf education, building a relationship with nature is central to a child’s development. Time outdoors teaches children about the Earth’s natural rhythms and cycles, allows them to experience natural phenomena before studying them in a classroom, and fortifies the child’s relationship with and respect for the natural world.

At Marin Waldorf School students in every grade, starting in preschool, spend a large part of their day outside, rain or shine. Kindergartners take weekly hikes in the hills near campus and learn that, as the saying goes, “there is no such things as bad weather, only bad clothes.” Throughout the grades, the relationship with nature that was built in early childhood continues through gardening, environmental education, hikes, and outdoor education trips. For many of our students, a snowy ascent up Mt. Shasta or jumping into nearby Miller Creek during an environmental education class may be among their best memories at school.

This year, our 6th and 7th graders took multiday trips to Shasta with Headwaters Outdoor School. For 7th grade, a challenging rite of passage was a part of the experience, in which each student spent a whole night alone in the wilderness. It was a demanding, inspiring, profound, life-shaping experience for our students. Below, please read teacher Rising Percey's letter to parents following the trip.

100% Success!!

All students completed their Rite of Passage on Wednesday night. I am beyond proud of every one of these students. It was impossible not to shed tears as they returned to camp in the morning.

Each day they learned the skills they needed to connect with and feel at home with nature. They learned to build a shelter, and even adorn it with an altar. They learned to reflect on their life: who they wish to be, and what values matter to them. They created a Code of Honor that they took with them for their “sit”: a 17 hour challenge, alone in the woods, no food, no talking with anyone; just a time to reflect and be with nature.

They’ll tell you more details themselves. But please ask them to share their Code of Honor with you. Also, ask your child to share with you what they shared in the closing circle: their favorite part, the most challenging part, and what they will take with them from this experience.

Tim, our incredible teacher and owner of Headwaters Outdoor school feels it is important that each family take some time to celebrate this Rite of Passage with their child. He also suggests giving a gift to them that represents their arrival into early adulthood. They will now be able to function at a higher level in the home, in the classroom and in the world. They are inspired to take this new step and many reflected in our closing circle the new things they would like to do at home and in nature. They have been coached by Tim to be of service in the home, help when help is needed, spend more time with nature, be a caretaker of the earth, and so much more. Be prepared to see new aspects of your son/daughter showing up in the days to come. This deserves honoring in some way from you.

I heard countless times from the staff here how fantastic this group is. They said their structures were the most creative they’d seen; they noticed this group’s extreme enthusiasm as well as how respectful they are. Tim said to me he could tell all of the amazing work we were doing with them at school preparing them for this moment. You have been a big part of that preparation too and should be equally proud as I am.

—Rising Percey, 7th Grade Teacher

A Rite of Passage at Headwaters Outdoor School