Blackberry Academy Founder and Program Director Yessie Joy Verbena in Blue Heron Park in Phoenix, Ore. This area serves as a sort of classroom.
Jane Vaughan / JPR
Blue Heron Park in Phoenix has playgrounds, a pollinator garden and access to Bear Creek.
Now, an area among the trees has become a classroom for preschoolers.
Oregon recently began licensing outdoor, nature-based child care programs, one of only a few states to do so.
Yessie Joy Verbena recently opened the first one, called Blackberry Academy.
She said spending time outside is how childhood is supposed to be.
“I always joke with families, if there aren’t any walls, they can’t bounce off of them,” she said. “If you’re outside, outside voice! It’s OK, go for it, yell, scream, jump, climb the tree, be yourself. Explore the full range of who you are as a tiny little person. And it’s wonderful.”
Children playing at a Blackberry Academy day camp.
Courtesy of Yessie Joy Verbena
Verbena said outdoor play is important for kids’ development, allowing them freedom, creativity and relaxation. As someone with a difficult childhood, she wants to help other children from underprivileged backgrounds.
“Time spent outside is so good for us in every aspect: physically, emotionally, spiritually,” she said. “It’s just got these healing powers.”
Verbena said these programs previously operated in Oregon under a different status with stricter requirements. The license allows her more freedom and funding options, making the preschool more accessible.
For instance, families can now use a subsidy program called the Employment Related Day Care program to pay for outdoor, nature-based preschool.
At Blackberry Academy, kids spend their days playing, exploring and learning about local wildlife.
“We’ve got a resident beaver. We have river otters, North American pine martens, bald eagles fly overhead,” Verbena said. “It’s right here in the middle of town and yet teeming with wildlife.”
The city has an informal agreement with Verbena to operate in the park.
She previously operated day camps and also offers a toddler program with caregiver participation.
Blackberry Academy has room for 14 kids and operates from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Families can sign up for two or four days a week. There are two spots left for children to sign up.
Jane Vaughan is a reporter with Jefferson Public Radio. This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.
It is part of OPB’s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit our journalism partnerships page.