Written by Susan Blake, WOLF School Naturalist

It’s a crisp morning, but looks like it will turn into a beautiful day. I arrive a little early, to clean tables and set up before the students arrive. It’s great to be teaching under the redwoods again!

I’ve been a Naturalist at WOLF School for 8 years. I love working for WOLF School as it combines my three passions: outdoors, kids and teaching. When COVID hit, I was sad to lose my work with WOLF School. 

I’m so proud of Heather and WOLF School for fighting for our program!

Now I assist students with their schoolwork in the morning. I help students answer spelling, math and science questions, and keep them on track with their various online class Zoom meetings. On their short breaks, they play in the redwood grove next to our tables. 

We all wear masks, play only with our pack members, use only our pack bathroom, and wash/sanitize our hands. 

In the afternoon, we play! The students love to build shelters out of sticks in the redwood grove. I’m always impressed by their engineering skills, as they weave sticks together for stability and figure out how to make a roof and door that won’t collapse. Sometimes we do artwork, or visit the newt pond. One afternoon a few students drew an epic hopscotch design, and for hours they challenged each other to be the fastest. It was such fun and great exercise too!

I’m so happy to be back outside, teaching kids and hearing their laughter as they, too, enjoy the outdoors.