Summer Sessions Now Enrolling…
Check Out Our Current Classes & Exciting Upcoming Offerings!
Download our current Program Calendar & Overview below. Or scroll for our Summer Sessions information.
Are you ready for your child to explore, create, and thrive in a space where nature and art come together? At Palmetto + Pine, we believe that kids learn best through play, curiosity, and hands-on experiences. Our program blends arts with life skills and Forest School principles, offering a one-of-a-kind enrichment opportunity for homeschooling families.
We're Wrapping Up Our First 12-Week Series!
As we close out our very first 12-week session, our hearts are full of gratitude. Thank you to every family who has shown up, shared feedback, and helped us build this beautiful, growing community. Your insight has been invaluable, and we're excited to implement your suggestions into our upcoming summer schedule.
While we wish we could offer a full summer program for our Troopers, the Florida heat—combined with not yet having a dedicated space—makes it difficult to provide the kind of drop-off experience we envision. Instead, Troopers will meet Tuesdays from 9:00–12:00 for hands-on, nature-based projects, with caregivers staying on site.
We’ve shortened the session to avoid the hottest parts of the day, and we’re currently submitting our revised Troopers tuition to Step Up for Students to reflect the adjusted hours.
Our Sprouts class continues to blossom and will carry on through the summer on Mondays & Wednesdays from 9:00–10:30 (please check the calendar for summer break dates).
We're also thrilled to introduce a brand new infant sensory class, Wiggles & Wonders, for newborns to mobile babies, happening Thursdays from 9:30–10:30.
Click here to view the summer sessions!
Thank you for your continued support, patience, and for growing with us—this is just the beginning!
FAQs & Program Requirements
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Palmetto + Pine is a nature-based, enrichment program that blends performing and fine arts with STEAM, life skills, and outdoor exploration. We focus on fostering creativity, confidence, and a deep connection to nature and community. While learning happens naturally through our activities, we are not a school, preschool, or childcare program and do not manage academic curriculum. Families who are registered with a county school district as a home education program (Florida Statue 1002.41), registered as PEP students, or an umbrella school are welcome to apply. As a home education program, the parent/guardian is the educator of record and is able to make all educational decisions.
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Palmetto + Pine is an all-weather program, which means we play and explore outdoors in all safe weather conditions. This forest school principle helps children build resilience, adaptability, and a love for all types of weather. We do not hold outdoor activities when there is lightning within a 10-mile radius of our location. Safety always comes first!
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The right clothing is key for your child’s comfort and enjoyment in all weather. Here’s what we suggest:
Clothing: Water-repellent layers, water shoes, hiking boots, and a hat for sun or rain.
Extras to pack: A full change of clothes, sunscreen, and bug repellent.
Required: Reusable water bottle, lunch, and snacks.
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Children enrolled in the Palmetto Troopers group (5-12 years old) must:
Be fully toilet-trained and able to communicate when they need to go.
Use the bathroom autonomously. While we are happy to help with changing clothes, we legally cannot assist with diapers or pull-ups.
Some of our outdoor locations or field trips may not have access to traditional indoor bathrooms. In these cases, we provide portable toilets with a privacy tent. Handwashing stations or sanitizing options will always be available. We encourage kids to check in with their bodies and communicate any needs to a guide.
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We follow an emergent curriculum approach, which means that our activities are inspired by children’s natural interests, curiosity, and the environment around us. Each month is built around a unique theme that guides exploration, discovery, and creative expression. Our sessions culminate in student showcases where kids share their projects, performances, or creations with the community.
Want to try us out?
Interested in Palmetto + Pine Arts and Learning Community but want to experience it first? We offer trial classes so your child can explore our nature-based, child-led approach before committing! *We’re working on offering trial classes through Step Up.
Wiggles & Wonders
Ages: Infant to mobile with accompanying caregiver
Thursday’s 9:30 - 10:30 AM at
Tom Varn Park
Monthly Tuition:
1 day a week = $60
*Starting May 22nd
Wiggles & Wonders is a one-hour, nature-based sensory class designed especially for infants and their caregivers. Just the right amount of time to relax outdoors without overwhelming your little one, this gentle class invites babies to explore the world through songs, tummy time, and age-appropriate sensory experiences. Caregivers are encouraged to connect, bond, and enjoy the peaceful rhythm of nature alongside their babies. It's a sweet, simple way to nurture early development—one wiggle and wonder at a time.
Palmetto Sprouts
Ages: Walking to 5 years old with accompanying caregiver
Monday’s and Wednesday’s
9 - 10:30 AM at Tom Varn Park
Monthly Tuition:
1 day a week = $100
2 days a week = $200
*Classes on-going
The Spouts program offers a nurturing environment where young children can explore the arts, nature, and social skills through engaging, hands-on activities. As a parent participatory program, families are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s learning experience. This option is perfect for families seeking a balanced approach to early childhood development and community engagement.
Troopers Forest School
Ages: 6 to 10 years old with accompanying caregiver
Tuesday’s 9 - Noon at
Tom Varn Park
Monthly Tuition:
1 day a week = $175
*Starting June 10th
This 8-week summer session invites Troopers to explore the outdoors through hands-on, project-based learning. Each child will choose a nature topic—like “My Favorite Tree,” “Bug Investigators,” or “Nature Art Museum”—to dive into over the course of the season. Through guided exploration, creative expression, and independent research, Troopers will prepare a presentation to share at our end-of-session Explorer Showcase. *Sessions are a mix of unstructured play and structured time to work on projects.
At Palmetto + Pine Arts and Learning Community, we are committed in making our programs accessible to all families. We are working to accept Florida Step Up Scholarships and strive to offer financial flexibility so every child can experience the benefits of our program.
*At Palmetto + Pine Arts and Learning Community, we are committed to providing a high-quality, enriching experience for your children. For our inaugural course parental attendance during class is required to ensure the safety and supervision of all participants.
Looking ahead, our second course will transition to a drop-off format, allowing children to participate independently while being cared for by our trained staff. Tuition will reflect this transition to support the added staffing and resources necessary for a safe and engaging drop-off environment. If you do not want to drop off we can discuss accommodations privately. *Palmetto Sprouts will remain a parental participatory class.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we grow together to create a vibrant, child-centered learning community.
A Celebration of Creativity: Student Showcase
At the end of every program, we host a Student Showcase where children have the opportunity to share their hard work and creativity with family, friends, and the community. Whether it’s a performance, an art exhibit, or a project presentation, this showcase allows children to demonstrate their growth and accomplishments in a supportive environment.
This experience is incredibly important for fostering confidence—standing before an audience and sharing their creations empowers children to believe in their abilities, celebrate their unique talents, and take pride in their progress. It also strengthens their connection to the community, as families and local supporters come together to celebrate the children’s achievements, creating a deeper sense of belonging and support.
*Program Calendar subject to change as we grow and add more session opportunities, community days, performances, and field trips.
Participation in the showcase is completely optional and can be tailored to your child’s comfort level. Whether they choose to take center stage or simply enjoy the experience from the sidelines, we celebrate every child’s journey at their own pace.
We believe that showcasing creativity not only boosts self-esteem but also reinforces the importance of community, collaboration, and the power of self-expression.
