"Spring Awakening" Opening Day

Name: "Spring Awakening" Opening Day
Start: 2026-04-09T11:00:00-04:00
Location: Shaker Lakes

Schedule

Thu, 09 Apr, 2026 at 11:00 am

UTC-04:00

Location

Shaker Lakes | Shaker Heights, OH

Join us at Shaker Lakes for the introductory offering from Little Frogs Downward Dogs to start off our 2026 season. For this first class only- *FREE* registration if you stay with your child. Regular prices apply for drop off. Registration required so I know how many jar planters to prepare! https://littlefrogsdownwarddogs.com/index.php/product/rtra/
Examine what happens as temperatures rise and water wakes the Earth. Spring is officially here and the world is waking up. Shaker Lakes has some great vernal pools that should be teeming with activity for our scavenger hunt adventure. We'll sample the water and check it out under a microscope. If we're lucky, we'll spot some of Ohio's elusive native Fairy Shrimp!!
We'll explore the parallels between seeds rooting themselves in the soil before sprouting and rising towards the sun, skunk cabbage with its cool "contractile" roots and how our own bodies are more stable and supportive when grounded and with an engaged core. We'll wake up our own bodies as our scavenger hunt search takes us around to different stations along the trail. We will see insects and birds waking up, hopefully frogs and salamanders too!
Every good Spring class involves planting seeds so of course we will do just that- microgreens in a cool self-watering hydroponic planter in a jar we'll assemble, decorate and take home to watch sprout.

https://littlefrogsdownwarddogs.com/index.php/product/rtra/
***

Our Nature Explorers program is growing up- less songs, more homeschool educational opportunities to connect with mind, body, nature and community.
Welcome to Root to Rise Academy! Geared to ages 5-12, each monthly session will incorporate integrative functional movement [and breathing] in the form of cooperative games (they won't even know they're doing yoga!), educational content centered around a natural element theme, a hike to help wear them out and work up an appetite for lunch (that you packed, thank you), an in-class project (read: not just a craft) and a take home worksheet/plan to help you continue the lesson later.
This class will keep your kids moving. They will learn to engage their inner cores, work on balance, cooperation, confidence, even a little public speaking (well- speaking up within the group). We'll throw in some (secret) polyvagal reset tools and breathing exercises while also nerding out over science-y stuff. And we'll do it all in the great outdoors!
Each class is set up as a series of stations along a loop hiking trail. At each stop we will either use our brains or our bodies to explore our topic. Functional movement "challenges" are intentionally selected to get kids to engage their muscles, activate their core and develop effective body mechanics. All paired with STEM learning centered around a nature based theme.

Check out the calendar for future dates and other Little Frogs events. Family days, mom-only retreats and an Earth Day Open House-- https://littlefrogsdownwarddogs.com/index.php/calendar/

Drop off option for kids ages 5+ (see below for pricing). You know your kid- if you need to stay, stay. Younger siblings welcome with paid older sibling AND caregiver present. (see below for pricing) Class content will officially run for 1.5 hours after which kids can enjoy their packed lunch or (supervised) free play at whichever park or nature center we are at for an additional half hour until you pick them up (additional time negotiable- contact me for rate info).

If dropping off your child, please send water bottle & lunch. I will have extra water and a few apples, oranges or bananas along for trail snacks if your kid starts dragging but otherwise please pack if you know they are hungry hikers!! Appropriate footwear and weather awareness required.

Regular Prices:
Drop-off Class Fee: $20, Add'l sibling (5+): $10
OR
Caregiver stays: $8, $5 for each add'l sibling (3+), ages (0-2 free)
15% off when registering for 4 or more Root to Rise Academy sessions, contact me to purchase.
https://littlefrogsdownwarddogs.com/index.php/product/rtra/