TimberNook Northwest Indiana : Valparaiso
TimberNook Northwest Indiana is tucked inside the breathtaking landscape of Deep River County Park, Big Maple Lake offers a one-of-a-kind setting for our TimberNook adventures. Spanning 30 acres, this quiet lake was once a clay excavation site—now transformed into a thriving natural haven for wildlife and wonder. Surrounded by trails, towering trees, and the gentle sounds of nature, it’s a place where childhood imagination runs wild.
At TimberNook Northwest Indiana, our programs unfold in the wooded areas just beyond the lake’s edge. Here, children discover hidden treasures, climb earthen ridges, and can splash near the banks of Deep River itself. A mysterious old stone fireplace—tucked deep within our wooded classroom—adds a touch of enchantment and timelessness to every play experience.
The park’s rich history and natural beauty offer the perfect backdrop for TimberNook’s philosophy: giving children time and space to deeply engage their senses, move their bodies, build friendships, and immerse themselves in the world around them.
With opportunities for nature play that are both unstructured and unforgettable, Big Maple Lake is more than a location—it’s a gateway to childhood as it was meant to be.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!
At TimberNook Northwest Indiana, our programs unfold in the wooded areas just beyond the lake’s edge. Here, children discover hidden treasures, climb earthen ridges, and can splash near the banks of Deep River itself. A mysterious old stone fireplace—tucked deep within our wooded classroom—adds a touch of enchantment and timelessness to every play experience.
The park’s rich history and natural beauty offer the perfect backdrop for TimberNook’s philosophy: giving children time and space to deeply engage their senses, move their bodies, build friendships, and immerse themselves in the world around them.
With opportunities for nature play that are both unstructured and unforgettable, Big Maple Lake is more than a location—it’s a gateway to childhood as it was meant to be.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
🍁🌳🌳🍁
Tucked inside the breathtaking landscape of Deep River County Park, Big Maple Lake offers a one-of-a-kind setting for our TimberNook adventures. Spanning 30 acres, this peaceful lake was once a clay excavation site—now transformed into a thriving natural haven full of wildlife and wonder.
Surrounded by wooded trails, towering trees, ...
🍁🌳🌳🍁
Tucked inside the breathtaking landscape of Deep River County Park, Big Maple Lake offers a one-of-a-kind setting for our TimberNook adventures. Spanning 30 acres, this peaceful lake was once a clay excavation site—now transformed into a thriving natural haven full of wildlife and wonder.
Surrounded by wooded trails, towering trees, and the gentle sounds of nature, it’s a place where childhood imagination runs wild.
At TimberNook Northwest Indiana, our programs unfold in the enchanted forested areas just beyond the lake’s edge. Children explore hidden treasures, climb earthen ridges, and can splash in the waters near Deep River itself. A mysterious old stone fireplace, tucked deep within our wooded classroom, adds a touch of magic and timelessness to every play experience. 🪵
With opportunities for nature play that are both unstructured and unforgettable, Big Maple Lake is more than a location— 🌿 It’s a gateway to childhood as it was meant to be. 🌿
🍁🌻🌳 Let’s Play the TimberNook Way! 🍁🌻🌳
🌱 Tiny Ones
Ages: Walking to 5/6 years old Adults attend with children. Babies in arms and adults are FREE.
Tiny Ones is an innovative nature-based program designed to inspire little ones to engage in creative outdoor play, while building their physical, social, and emotional development.
This program provides a rich sensory experience through guided play in natural settings. It fosters exploration, imagination, and collaboration, all aligned with each child’s developmental stage.
✅ Social benefits: Improved communication, teamwork & conflict resolution
✅ Health benefits: Better motor skills, reduced stress, increased resilience
🌿 Following the TimberNook philosophy, Tiny Ones nurtures a lifelong love for the outdoors and supports a holistic approach to childhood development.
🍁🐾 Friends in the Wild
Ages: 4–11 years Offered year-round to HOMESCHOOLERS
👨👩👧👦 Parent/Chaperone or Drop-Off Option Available
This unique program brings mixed-age children together to explore the great outdoors and engage in immersive, unstructured play.
Younger children are inspired by the leadership and creativity of older peers, while older kids gain opportunities to mentor, model, and deepen their play.
🌿 Children are encouraged to be independent, creative, and adventurous.
🌿 Activities promote critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration—all nurtured by nature.
🗓️ Weekly Program Schedule
🍄 Monday Tiny Ones — Ages walking–5 yrs old, 9:30–11:30 AM
🐛 Tuesday Tiny Ones — Ages walking–5 yrs old, 9:30–11:30 AM
🪻 Tuesday Friends in the Wild — Ages 4–11, 1:00–4:00 PM
🌞 Summer Camps 2026
📣 Coming January 31, 2026
TimberNook camps take outdoor play to the next level. Children solve problems, build complex play schemes, and exclaim, 👉 “This is OUR YES place!”
These week-long experiences are packed with sensory-rich adventures, challenging the mind, body, and senses through meaningful play in wild spaces.
🧠 Cognitive benefits
💪 Gross & fine motor challenges
💞 Social & emotional growth
🌈 Therapeutic impact for ALL abilities
🌟 Providers often speak of the “magic” that unfolds at TimberNook—magic that stays with children long after camp ends.
With opportunities for nature play that are both unstructured and unforgettable, Big Maple Lake is more than a location— 🌿 It’s a gateway to childhood as it was meant to be. 🌿
🍁🌻🌳 Let’s Play the TimberNook Way! 🍁🌻🌳
🌱 Tiny Ones
Ages: Walking to 5/6 years old Adults attend with children. Babies in arms and adults are FREE.
Tiny Ones is an innovative nature-based program designed to inspire little ones to engage in creative outdoor play, while building their physical, social, and emotional development.
This program provides a rich sensory experience through guided play in natural settings. It fosters exploration, imagination, and collaboration, all aligned with each child’s developmental stage.
✅ Social benefits: Improved communication, teamwork & conflict resolution
✅ Health benefits: Better motor skills, reduced stress, increased resilience
🌿 Following the TimberNook philosophy, Tiny Ones nurtures a lifelong love for the outdoors and supports a holistic approach to childhood development.
🍁🐾 Friends in the Wild
Ages: 4–11 years Offered year-round to HOMESCHOOLERS
👨👩👧👦 Parent/Chaperone or Drop-Off Option Available
This unique program brings mixed-age children together to explore the great outdoors and engage in immersive, unstructured play.
Younger children are inspired by the leadership and creativity of older peers, while older kids gain opportunities to mentor, model, and deepen their play.
🌿 Children are encouraged to be independent, creative, and adventurous.
🌿 Activities promote critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration—all nurtured by nature.
🗓️ Weekly Program Schedule
🍄 Monday Tiny Ones — Ages walking–5 yrs old, 9:30–11:30 AM
🐛 Tuesday Tiny Ones — Ages walking–5 yrs old, 9:30–11:30 AM
🪻 Tuesday Friends in the Wild — Ages 4–11, 1:00–4:00 PM
🌞 Summer Camps 2026
📣 Coming January 31, 2026
TimberNook camps take outdoor play to the next level. Children solve problems, build complex play schemes, and exclaim, 👉 “This is OUR YES place!”
These week-long experiences are packed with sensory-rich adventures, challenging the mind, body, and senses through meaningful play in wild spaces.
🧠 Cognitive benefits
💪 Gross & fine motor challenges
💞 Social & emotional growth
🌈 Therapeutic impact for ALL abilities
🌟 Providers often speak of the “magic” that unfolds at TimberNook—magic that stays with children long after camp ends.
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!"