Summer Sunday Nests

Nests Little & Grown-Up Circle is a child-led, land-based mixed-age group where caregivers practice listening to and attuning to their children and the land. We meet from 9–11 AM in four seasonal sessions—Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer—each running for eight weeks.

Drop-in for one or all eight summer sessions!

In every session, we nurture a welcoming, joyful space where children can safely explore the land, build friendships and lead their own learning journeys. Each class follows a gentle rhythm with circle time, story, snack, and free play, balancing consistency and a practice rooted in children's liberation for both children and their caregivers.
Together, we sing, walk, leap, dig, run, sort, observe, smell, track, touch, listen, laugh, taste, tumble, climb, build, and deconstruct. Minds, bodies, and spirits are engaged as we deepen our connection to the land and to one another — discovering what futures are possible when we trust children.

Tuition Equity, Accessibility & Belonging: The natural world models for us that everyone belongs, we all have unique and vital roles to play, and our collective flourishing is always mutual. BNC's programs have been thoughtfully designed for all children of Greater New Haven and their communities.
If your child and family would thrive here but you are facing barriers to access our programs, we want to hear from you. We do not and will not turn families away for lack of funds.
At present, our programs are entirely tuition-funded. In order to remain financially stable, we have limited spots available at reduced and fully funded rates. As we grow and pursue new funding sources, we will extend our financial flexibility and capacity to accommodate more families.

Pay What You Can
In order to remain financially stable, we offer a limited amount of "pay what you can" slots each session for qualifying families. To qualify, families must meet FOUR or more of the following criteria:
1.) Is from a household that qualifies for certain federal benefits based on family income/family size (HUSKY, TANF, SNAP, and Section 8 Vouchers).
2.) Lives in one of the following New Haven neighborhoods: Newhallville, Dwight, the Hill, Fair Haven, West River, West Rock, Dixwell, Amity, or Prospect Hill.
3.) Is not enrolled in another nature-based program.
4.) If one or both caregivers did not attend college or were first-generation college students.
5.) Lives in a single-caregiver household.
6.) Has a family member who is already enrolled in Brave Nature Collaborative programs.As we grow and pursue new funding sources, we will extend our financial flexibility and capacity to accommodate more families.

Brave Nature Collaborative 501(c)(3) is a New Haven Parks based non-profit organization serving children and families in the Greater New Haven area. We design and facilitate joy-filled multigenerational outdoor learning circles where communities come together to practice children’s sovereignty and ecological reciprocity. To learn more about us please visit www.bravenaturecollaborative.com.