A certified Nature Explore outdoor classroom
NEOC FAQs
Thanks for joining us! To ensure everyone has a safe, positive experience while here, please review the frequently asked questions and the answers.
Q. My dog would love it here. Can I bring it?
A. There certainly are a lot of fun things to do, but the facility is designed for children, not animals. Fortunately, the City of Kokomo has four parks just for dogs! Check them out: Mehlig Dog Park, 1701 W. Carter St., Bon Air Dog Park, 2500 N. Purdum Street, Downtown Dog Park, 321 S. Main Street, and Mohr Dog Park, 2302 Saratoga Ave.
Q. When is the Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom open?
A. All the time! KHCPL Russiaville has wonderful neighbors, so we ask you do respect them as we do and keep the noise level down if you’re a night owl exploring this facility.
Q. I wish there were sand pails and insect catchers and other items available.
A. You’re in luck! We have backpacks and totes filled with a variety of items that you are welcome to check out when the library is open.
Q. This would be great for school visits. Do you offer those?
A. Yes! We’d love to host a visit for your classroom. Tours are FREE! We can prepare special activities to coordinate with your lesson plans on STEAM, the environment, and more. Just call 765.883.5112.
KHCPL is the first library in Indiana to create a Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom (NEOC) thanks to memorial gifts, grants, donations, and volunteers
A list of all upcoming events at the NEOC can be found here
What's an Outdoor Classroom?
So what is an outdoor classroom? Just what its name suggests: an outdoor place where children can learn. Outdoor is the key word. Child development research shows that children need and benefit from more time outdoors.“The retention rate for learning by doing is 75 percent compared with just 5 percent for lecture-based learning,” according to a Bethel Learning Institute study. “When students are learning outdoors, they are using all of their senses and their abilities to absorb and take in information. They are also learning an appreciation for nature and developing active stewardship for the natural areas in their communities.”
“We want every child to succeed in school and at life,” said Faith Brautigam, Director of KHCPL. “In children, play creates the foundation for future learning. Our Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom encourages exploration and imaginative play in a natural environment that helps to develop physical abilities and cognitive skills. As a destination for families, school groups, early childhood students, and the conservation-minded, it’s an added attraction for Russiaville and Howard County.”
For our original news article and video click here.
For more information about Nature Explore Outdoor Classrooms, click here.