TimberNook Northwest Indiana : Valparaiso
TimberNook Northwest Indiana is tucked into the beautiful Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana. Children explore the sensory aspects of nature, challenge their bodies and their minds, and develop confidence and lasting friendships through our innovative, nature immersive programs. Each program is designed to inspire, enchant, and bring their imaginations to life. Rather than directing creativity and play schemes as most programs do; TimberNook provides large scale experiences, staging the environment to inspire. Under the watchful eyes of handpicked, caring counselors, there is ample time and opportunity to practice true creativity free of adult direction, control, or frequent transitions. As a result of this transformative method children try new things, practice conflict resolution, improve gross and fine motor skills, all while engaging in exciting adventures of their own design!
Overview
🌻🌳🌳🌻Gabis Arboretum, owned by Purdue Northwest, is a 300-acre nature sanctuary in Valparaiso, Indiana, showcasing diverse ecosystems such as woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and gardens. With a focus on conservation, education, and community engagement, the arboretum offers visitors a chance to explore its scenic trails, learn about native ecosystems, and participate ...
🌻🌳🌳🌻Gabis Arboretum, owned by Purdue Northwest, is a 300-acre nature sanctuary in Valparaiso, Indiana, showcasing diverse ecosystems such as woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and gardens. With a focus on conservation, education, and community engagement, the arboretum offers visitors a chance to explore its scenic trails, learn about native ecosystems, and participate in events that foster a deeper connection to nature. Its mission emphasizes environmental stewardship and the transformative power of outdoor experiences.
Tucked within the beautiful Gabis Arboretum, TimberNook Northwest Indiana provides innovative, nature-immersive programs that inspire creativity and enchant children through unstructured, sensory-rich outdoor play. By staging the environment to encourage exploration, children are free to engage in self-directed adventures under the guidance of caring counselors, fostering confidence, imagination, and lasting friendships. This method aligns seamlessly with the arboretum’s mission, as both prioritize the importance of deep, meaningful connections with nature and promote personal growth through immersive environmental experiences.
TimberNook Northwest Indiana Facebook
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Lets Play the TimberNook Way!
🌻🌳 Tiny Ones
Tiny Ones is an innovative nature-based program designed to inspire children to engage in creative outdoor play while fostering physical, social, and emotional development. Specifically tailored for children from walking age to 5 years old, this program provides a rich sensory experience through guided activities in natural settings. It encourages exploration, imagination, and collaboration in a way that aligns with each child’s developmental stage.
Following TimberNook's philosophy, the program emphasizes the importance of outdoor play in promoting overall well-being. Social benefits include improved communication, teamwork, and conflict-resolution skills as children interact with peers in unstructured play. Health benefits range from enhanced motor skills and physical fitness to reduced stress and increased resilience. By connecting children to nature, TimberNook supports a holistic approach to growth and nurtures a lifelong love for outdoor exploration.
**Details:** - Adults attend with children. - Ages: Walking to 5/6 years old. - Babies and adults attend free.
🌻🌳 Little Wild Ones Program
Little Wild Ones is a nature-based experience designed for children aged 4–11. This program encourages kids to explore the great outdoors, fostering independence, creativity, and a sense of adventure through immersive, unstructured play in natural environments. Activities are designed to inspire critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving while allowing children the freedom to connect deeply with nature.
Following TimberNook's philosophy, the Wild Ones program provides significant social and health benefits. Socially, children build strong interpersonal skills, develop resilience, and learn effective collaboration and conflict resolution as they navigate group dynamics in outdoor play. Health benefits include improved physical fitness, enhanced motor coordination, reduced stress, and strengthened immunity. By fostering a love for the natural world and empowering children to explore their surroundings, Wild Ones nurtures a well-rounded, joyful approach to childhood development.
🌻 February Classes Tiny Ones: Tuesday, February 11 Little Wild Ones: Saturday, February 15 Registration opens Monday, January 20!
🌻 Summer Camps 2025
Summer Camps 2025 will be available on January 31 at 8 a.m. TimberNook takes play to the next level. Children are able to solve problems and develop complex play schemes. We often hear, “This is the most fun EVER!” TimberNook camps offer the ultimate sensory experience for children, challenging the mind, body, and senses through meaningful outdoor play opportunities. Providers frequently speak of the “magic” they witness at TimberNook, even over the course of just one week. Children of all abilities can challenge their social, emotional, sensory, and cognitive skills at TimberNook, with therapeutic benefits that are vast and often surprising to all involved.
Summer Schedule:
Barefoot & Buckets: June 9–13 (Ages 5–8)
Goonies Style: June 23–27 (Ages 7–12)
Wild West: July 14–18 (Ages 5–8)
Extreme Art: July 28–August 1 (Ages 7–12)
Check back on February 1 for spring dates and registration announcements!
Tucked within the beautiful Gabis Arboretum, TimberNook Northwest Indiana provides innovative, nature-immersive programs that inspire creativity and enchant children through unstructured, sensory-rich outdoor play. By staging the environment to encourage exploration, children are free to engage in self-directed adventures under the guidance of caring counselors, fostering confidence, imagination, and lasting friendships. This method aligns seamlessly with the arboretum’s mission, as both prioritize the importance of deep, meaningful connections with nature and promote personal growth through immersive environmental experiences.
TimberNook Northwest Indiana Facebook
Lets Play the TimberNook Way!
🌻🌳 Tiny Ones
Tiny Ones is an innovative nature-based program designed to inspire children to engage in creative outdoor play while fostering physical, social, and emotional development. Specifically tailored for children from walking age to 5 years old, this program provides a rich sensory experience through guided activities in natural settings. It encourages exploration, imagination, and collaboration in a way that aligns with each child’s developmental stage.
Following TimberNook's philosophy, the program emphasizes the importance of outdoor play in promoting overall well-being. Social benefits include improved communication, teamwork, and conflict-resolution skills as children interact with peers in unstructured play. Health benefits range from enhanced motor skills and physical fitness to reduced stress and increased resilience. By connecting children to nature, TimberNook supports a holistic approach to growth and nurtures a lifelong love for outdoor exploration.
**Details:** - Adults attend with children. - Ages: Walking to 5/6 years old. - Babies and adults attend free.
🌻🌳 Little Wild Ones Program
Little Wild Ones is a nature-based experience designed for children aged 4–11. This program encourages kids to explore the great outdoors, fostering independence, creativity, and a sense of adventure through immersive, unstructured play in natural environments. Activities are designed to inspire critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving while allowing children the freedom to connect deeply with nature.
Following TimberNook's philosophy, the Wild Ones program provides significant social and health benefits. Socially, children build strong interpersonal skills, develop resilience, and learn effective collaboration and conflict resolution as they navigate group dynamics in outdoor play. Health benefits include improved physical fitness, enhanced motor coordination, reduced stress, and strengthened immunity. By fostering a love for the natural world and empowering children to explore their surroundings, Wild Ones nurtures a well-rounded, joyful approach to childhood development.
🌻 February Classes Tiny Ones: Tuesday, February 11 Little Wild Ones: Saturday, February 15 Registration opens Monday, January 20!
🌻 Summer Camps 2025
Summer Camps 2025 will be available on January 31 at 8 a.m. TimberNook takes play to the next level. Children are able to solve problems and develop complex play schemes. We often hear, “This is the most fun EVER!” TimberNook camps offer the ultimate sensory experience for children, challenging the mind, body, and senses through meaningful outdoor play opportunities. Providers frequently speak of the “magic” they witness at TimberNook, even over the course of just one week. Children of all abilities can challenge their social, emotional, sensory, and cognitive skills at TimberNook, with therapeutic benefits that are vast and often surprising to all involved.
Summer Schedule:
Barefoot & Buckets: June 9–13 (Ages 5–8)
Goonies Style: June 23–27 (Ages 7–12)
Wild West: July 14–18 (Ages 5–8)
Extreme Art: July 28–August 1 (Ages 7–12)
Check back on February 1 for spring dates and registration announcements!
Available Programs
Reviews
Enchanted - TimberNook Northwest Indiana
reviewed by jazmine.hernandez
What a great program! My son had an amazing experience. He loved every moment and was eager to participate every day. He's already asking to come back next year. I loved being able to see all the photos of each day.
Barefoot and Buckets - TimberNook Northwest Indiana
reviewed by vanessa.kwasny
5 STAR CAMP for all ages!!!! My 4.5 yr old daughter attended Barefoot & Buckets camp this week end LOVED it! This camp truly inspires their imaginations, allows kids to learn outdoors through play and working through things in an uninhibited environment. They did a fantastic job getting the kids excited with their creative and unique themes each day and we would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone looking for a summer camp experience like no other! My daughter is also T1 Diabetic and they took extremely good care of her all week. This would a huge bonus for us!
Sensory Adventures - TimberNook Northwest Indiana
reviewed by Emily Paris
This program is awesome! My kids had the most wonderful time. My 12 yr old said, "I knew it would be fun, but I had no idea it would be THAT much fun!"