Announcing the Launch of the Painted Oak Project: A Movement to Restore Childhood

For the past 13 years, Painted Oak has been more than a school - it has been a living, breathing example of what childhood can and should be. A place where learning happens in the wild, where curiosity leads the way, and where children thrive in nature- free to explore, discover, and grow. Now we are ready to take this vision beyond our own backyard.

We are thrilled to officially announce the Painted Oak Project, a bold initiative dedicated to saving childhood by getting children into the wild and helping their organizations and families do the same. Founded by Nicole Langdo, the creator of Painted Oak Nature School, this project is the evolution of years spent watching children flourish when given the time, space, and freedom to engage with the natural world.

Our Mission

The Painted Oak Project is committed to disrupting traditional education by reimagining learning environment that prioritize outdoor education, self-directed learning, and community drive experiences. We aim to:

• Support Educators and schools in integrating outdoor learning into their curriculum.

• Empower families who seek alternatives to conventional schooling, including homeschooling and nature-based education.

• Advocate for systemic change in education, making nature-rich, child-centered learning accessible to all.

Why Now?

Childhood has changed. Kids today spend less time outdoors than ever before, with increased screen time, structured schedules, and academic pressures replacing the unstructured, nature-filled play that is essential for healthy development. At the same time, traditional schooling often prioritizes standardized outcomes over the needs of individual learners.

The Painted Oak Project is stepping into this moment to challenge the status quo and champion a different way forward - one that trusts children, values their innate curiosity, and embraces the outdoors as the richest classroom of all.

Join the Movement

This is more than a project. It's a call to action. Whether you are an educator, a parent, or someone who believes in the power of nature and self-directed learning, we invite you to join us. Follow along, get involved, and help us create a world where childhood is wild, free, and full of wonder.

Stay tuned for upcoming workshops, resources, and opportunities to be part of the Painted Oak community.

Follow us on all the platforms....https://linktr.ee/thepaintedoakproject