Checking Out Nature: Our Elements' Summer with Local Libraries
This summer, Our Elements Outdoor Learning had the privilege of partnering with two Hudson Valley libraries to bring nature-based education straight to our communities. Libraries are already gathering places for curious young minds, so pairing them with hands-on outdoor skills felt like a natural fit. Here's how it went.
White Plains Public Library: "Earth, Wind, Fire & Zombies"
Our four-day program, August 10th-13th at the White Plains Public Library, "Earth, Wind, Fire & Zombies," took kids through a full arc of survival and ecological skills, one element at a time. The name and theme grew out of the White Plains Public Library team's creativity, and Our Elements brought it to life through a fun, imaginative curriculum rooted in real, practical skills.
Day 1: Water. We kicked things off with a twist. Before diving into real filtration techniques, we split the group into teams and posed a scenario: a zombie apocalypse has hit, and the tap water is no longer safe. Using only materials they knew about (no store-bought filters allowed), each kid sketched out their own plan for cleaning water. Teams then debated their ideas, voted on a favorite, and pitched it to the group. It was a great way to get kids thinking critically before we walked them through real-world techniques like purification tablets, gravity and wicking systems, plant fiber filtration, and multi-layer filters, which they then built themselves in small groups outside.
Day 2: First Aid. We covered the basics of recognizing when something's wrong and, just as importantly, how to help a friend quickly reach a trusted adult or get proper care. Kids learned how to wrap an ankle, provide basic wound care, and build an improvised gurney using everyday items to help move someone to safety. Kids this age spend a lot of time together, so learning to look out for one another is important.
Day 3: Fire. This was a highlight for a lot of the kids. We worked with ferro rods to practice fire-starting fundamentals, and we were glad to have the White Plains Fire Department join us to support the day. Having The WPFD there helped strengthen our community connection through a shared event with their support.
Day 4: Fiber. We closed out the program by exploring fiber from both plants and animals. Kids got hands-on with animal pelts while learning about local wildlife, then moved into making cordage and practicing fiber braiding, skills that connect directly back to the natural materials all around us.
Plattekill Library: Ecology Games Day
On August 14th, we ran a two-hour ecology games day at the Plattekill Library. It was a full house: 25 kids signed up, ranging from age from 4 to 10. Rather than teaching local ecology through a lecture or a worksheet, we built the whole session around movement and play, getting kids into their bodies to feel and understand ecological concepts rather than just hear about them. This was an awesome way to introduce Our Elements to the Plattekill community, and we are happy that so many families got to join us.
Why We Love Working With Libraries
Both of these programs reflect what Our Elements is all about: rooting kids in nature play, ecological understanding, and a sense of connection to the natural world, delivered in ways that are playful, hands-on, and accessible. Partnering with libraries lets us reach our communities in a different way, creating an accessible entry point for participants who might not otherwise find their way to an outdoor program, and turning a familiar community space into a launchpad for something new.
A huge thank you to the staff at White Plains Public Library and Plattekill Library for opening their doors to us, and to the White Plains Fire Department for lending their time and expertise. We're already looking forward to working together in the future
Want to bring an Our Elements program to your library or school? Reach out to Our Elements at Support@ourelementsoe.com.
