Wandering Child Nature School was born out of the desire to create a place where the love of learning and nature converge, providing opportunities for children of varying ages to learn alongside each other in the great outdoors.
The philosophy behind WCNS is that all children are born natural learners and given the chance to spend more time outside, that desire to learn will be enhanced. We believe that children are innately curious, inquisitive and driven. We believe that establishing a foundation of oneness with nature in early childhood and beyond provides an environment for children to tap into those innate qualities.
Our classes are rooted in a mixture of unschooling, nature-based curriculums and wilderness & bushcraft skills. We aim to provide opportunities for students to supplement learning that occurs at home through nature-based math, reading, literature, art and sciences alongside play-based and skill-based learning. Examples of activities & lessons you may find in our classes include addition/subtraction with natural materials, letter identification & spelling in the sand, learning to build forts & tie knots, and integrating lessons through nature journaling and art.
WCNS is one of the first of its kind to provide an outdoor school/co-op hybrid. This means that families can decide if they would like to participate as a full family with the parent becoming a helper/observer or if dropping students off would be a better fit. Some families prefer to keep their learning together as a whole family but don’t want to fully commit to teaching classes in a traditional co-op setting. WCNS provides the opportunity for parents to attend with their children without the responsibility of teaching. It also allows for younger siblings to join, supervised by the parent. Conversely, if drop off is desired by the parent, that is a wonderful option too. We trust that parents know what is best for their students.
Our Staff
Caitlin Chojnowski, Founder & Lead Teacher
Caitlin is a wife and homeschooling mom of 3 children. She created WCNS after five years of running a free nature group. In 2020, she founded the Wandering Child Nature Group – Treasure Valley that has grown to 2,000 members. This nature group has also expanded into other towns and cities in other states. She also started a homeschool pod for a small group of families in 2022 to provide supplemental education resources.
Caitlin has a passion for home education and the freedom for every parent to educate as they see fit for their students. She believes that children are innately connected to the great outdoors, and it is our job as parents and educators to continue fostering that bond through every day experiences and education. Caitlin created WCNS so that homeschool families could supplement their education in a nature-based community setting. She believes firmly in mixed-age learning, interest-led education and community building in nature.
With backgrounds in psychology, counseling and early education mixed with her love for the great outdoors, Caitlin hopes to help students cultivate a love for nature and learning together, becoming stewards for the environment and successful leaders in whatever passions arise as they grow.
In her free time, Caitlin enjoys hiking, camping & playing by the river with her family, reading, and gardening. She spends most of her free time alongside her husband and 3 wild children exploring the Treasure Valley and great state of Idaho.
Kelsie Morrison, Nature Explorers Lead Teacher, Nampa
Kelsie grew up running wild in the woods of Pennsylvania, where her passion for nature was sparked. That early curiosity grew into a lifelong love of the natural world, deepened over the last decade of exploring the diverse landscapes of Idaho.
A homeschool mom of two, with a background in child development and music, Kelsie encourages children to slow down and observe the world around them, nurturing a sense of wonder and discovery. Beyond nature, her interests range from classic literature to kickball. She is a lifelong learner and loves to share that joy with others.
Marilee Rosensweig, Nature Explorers Lead Teacher, Kuna
Marilee is a wife, homeschooling mama, backyard homesteader (with chickens!), and nature enthusiast. Growing up military meant lots of traveling and many schools so she is excited to be settling down and growing hometown roots now that her husband has retired from the Navy.
Prior to having children, Marilee worked in Emergency Medical Services as a Paramedic and Educator overseeing EMS education for the 911 provider in central California. During her career she helped many people, earned her M. Ed, and dabbled in research proving students can fail their way to success.
Marilee describes herself as a life-long learner and nature girl at heart who is finally experiencing nature. She has a passion for education, particularly experiential learning, and is excited to be a part of Wander Child Nature School where she can lead others in experiencing learning in nature!
Claire Potts, Jr. Nature Explorers Lead Teacher, Nampa
Claire is a wife and mom of two boys. She plans to homeschool as her sons get older. Claire grew up loving to spend time outdoors and is excited to help guide children in their exploration of the natural world!
Claire has a background in agriculture education, with an emphasis on plant and soil science. She also studied noncognitive skills of students for her master’s thesis. Claire strongly believes that intentional experiential learning opportunities paired with a child’s innate curiosity and desire to learn is a great recipe for developing a life long learner!
In her free time you can find Claire gardening, baking bread, hiking, or spending time at a local park with her boys.
Danika Larsen, Nature Explorers Lead Teacher, SE Boise
Dani is originally from Arizona and brings a warm, down to earth presence to the classroom. She is a wife and a mother to her four year old daughter, Freya, and is also a dedicated homeschool mom.
Prior to becoming a stay at home mom, Dani has seven years of experience working in childcare and a background teaching dance classes, bringing both care and creativity to her work with children.
Outside of the classroom, Dani enjoys yoga, camping, reading, knitting, and crafting with her daughter. She values building strong, genuine relationships with both students and families and feels grateful to be part of a supportive learning community.
We are hiring for our 2026 Fall Semester! We have a need for teachers in multiple locations for all age groups! Please fill out our contact form to inquire.