I’ve just started down the dirt path that leads to the heart of Auburn’s Kreher Preserve & Nature Center when it hits me: Nature school is loud. The children of the Woodland Wonders Nature Preschool throw their tiny bodies around the playground. “Getting exposure to nature is a beautiful thing, and it’s already making a difference in the lives of Kreher children.” With no personal cubbies stacked against the wall, many of the kids run blissfully barefoot along the Kreher trail, their shoes stuffed haphazardly into backpacks. The teachers “Are always watching for what’s next, but they really like to let the children lead them into it. There are no boundaries there.” According to author Richard Louv, more children than ever are suffering from “Nature-deficit disorder.” Many case studies suggest that severely decreasing kids’ exposure to nature leads to underdeveloped physical and emotional health. With more caregivers than ever looking into alternative options for their children’s education, Crim said the only way to truly understand a nature school like WWPN is to experience it firsthand.

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