at THE PAINTED OAK PROJECT,
we are working to preserve childhood.
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Our mission is simple but bold:
to disrupt an outdated educational model by reimagining learning spaces that prioritize outdoor education, self-directed learning, and hands-on exploration. We empower educators, schools, and families to integrate nature-based learning into their daily practices -
whether that means taking children outside or bringing nature indoors. By incorporating natural materials, sensory experiences, and outdoor-inspired learning, we ensure that all children can benefit from nature's impact, regardless of the setting.
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The world is changing, and so must the way we nurture young minds.
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Whether you're an educator, a homeschooling family, or a passionate advocate for change, the Painted Oak Project provides consulting, training, and resources that empower you to integrate nature-inspired learning into your daily practice. Unlike traditional educational models, we recognize that children thrive when immersed in nature and offer innovative solutions that bring the outdoors into the classroom or enhance outdoor learning experiences. At the heart of our work is our unique, trademarked educational model, the Painted Oak Approach™, which creates environments where curiosity, independence and creativity can flourish. From big-picture strategy to hands-on support, we’re here to help you create meaningful, lasting change.
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Join us by adding your energy to this ongoing movement focused on
bringing curiosity, creativity, and joy back to learning.
Together, we can reimagine education and empower the next generation
to grow up with courage, compassion, and a love for the natural world.​​​​​
from forest floors, to future classrooms...
The Painted Oak Project is the next chapter in the story of Painted Oak Nature School. Founded by educational innovator, Nicole Langdo, the Project intends to expand Nicole's mission of honoring childhood by empowering like-minded advocates through outdoor education and consulting.
With over three decades of teaching experience, Nicole began her career in traditional educational settings, where her forward-thinking ideas set her apart as progressive among her peers. She saw the limitations of conventional classrooms and recognized the untapped potential of bringing nature into learning spaces, and of taking children out into the wild.
In 2012, Nicole turned her bold vision into a reality by founding the first licensed child-care center to offer a Forest School program. For 13 impactful years, Painted Oak Nature School redefined education, immersing children in nature to foster independence, risk-taking, and resilience. Under her leadership, PONS found itself on another list of firsts when it grew to become the first private PS-8th grade school with a Forest School program and an emphasis on extended time in nature for all of its students, aged 2 years - 14. Painted Oak Nature School was seen as a model for experiential, nature-based learning, inspiring educators and families alike.
In 2025, Nicole made the bittersweet decision to close the school - not as an ending but as a beginning for a larger mission. Determined to make a greater impact, Nicole trademarked her unique teaching method, The Painted Oak Approach™, to share her proven strategies with educators, schools, and communities worldwide. This innovative framework encapsulates her years of experience and passion for integrating the natural world into education.​​​​​​​​​​​
Today, the Painted Oak Project continues Nicole's commitment to reimagining learning environments. While the legacy of her little schoolhouse in the woods lives on in the spirits of the thousands of children she has served over her teaching tenure, the Painted Oak Project now serves as a catalyst for change, sharing the growing body of research empowering others to embrace the wild as a rich and essential part of education.