Valparaiso
TimberNook Northwest Indiana is tucked into the beautiful Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana. Children will explore the sensory aspects of nature, challenge their bodies and their minds, and develop confidence and lasting friendships through our innovative, inclusive, 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 campers, 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
We are located in the beautiful Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana. As a property of Purdue Northwest, they value the focus on nature, child development, and learning through play that TimberNook offers! This property contains wetlands, streams, and heavily wooded areas with trails; to specially designed features such as the adventure garden. Wildflowers abound and children keep their eyes peeled to spot nesting birds and woodland critters such as chipmunks and deer. Of course, climbing fallen trees, catching frogs, and jumping in the shallow creek are favorite parts of any day at the arboretum.
TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Thank you for another fabulous summer with TimberNook!! Watch our fb page and this website for updates regarding next year's camps.
2022 Fall Registration is open!! Lets Play the TimberNook Way!
Fall Tiny Ones
Explore all the benefits of nature, socialize with other caregivers, and head into the fall season with sensational nature play!
Adults attend with child. Ages walking-5/6. $16.50/session. Babies and adults attend free.
September
2, 9, 16, 23
October
7, 28
November
4, 11Registration opens to general public on: August 1st
Wild Ones
Homeschool Co-op play sessions. This program offers innovative learning opportunities through meaningful, child-led play!! This fosters essential life skills, inspires creativity, facilitates connection, and integrates advanced cognitive & social emotional skills. Most importantly, children create lasting memories for years to come!
Available Programs
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Tiny Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 1 - 5
Dates: Dec 9
Times: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. You and your child will venture outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. You’ll also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home. Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Protected: Field Trips – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 4 - 12
Dates: Oct 13
Times: 9:30 am - 11:30 pm
Price: $20.00 per child
Overview:
School Field Trips provide a unique opportunity for classes to experience outdoor learning and skill development through play. Our field trips can be customized according to your needs and are offered on flexible schedules. *Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Wild Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 5 - 12
Dates: Sep 8
Times: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Capacity: 24
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
This program provides innovative learning opportunities through meaningful, child-led play. Each series fosters essential life skills, inspires creativity, facilitates connection, and integrates advanced cognitive & social emotional skills. Most importantly, children will create lasting memories for years to come! Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Tiny Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 1 - 5
Dates: Oct 21
Times: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Capacity: 55
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. You and your child will venture outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. You’ll also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home. Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Tiny Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 1 - 5
Dates: Oct 28
Times: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Capacity: 55
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. You and your child will venture outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. You’ll also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home. Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Tiny Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 1 - 5
Dates: Nov 4
Times: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Capacity: 50
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. You and your child will venture outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. You’ll also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home. Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Tiny Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 1 - 5
Dates: Nov 11
Times: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. You and your child will venture outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. You’ll also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home. Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Tiny Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 1 - 5
Dates: Sep 9
Times: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. You and your child will venture outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. You’ll also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home. Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Tiny Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 1 - 5
Dates: Sep 16
Times: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. You and your child will venture outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. You’ll also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home. Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Tiny Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 1 - 5
Dates: Sep 23
Times: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. You and your child will venture outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. You’ll also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home. Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Tiny Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 1 - 5
Dates: Oct 7
Times: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. You and your child will venture outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. You’ll also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home. Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Wild Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 5 - 12
Dates: Nov 3
Times: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Capacity: 24
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
This program provides innovative learning opportunities through meaningful, child-led play. Each series fosters essential life skills, inspires creativity, facilitates connection, and integrates advanced cognitive & social emotional skills. Most importantly, children will create lasting memories for years to come! Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Wild Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 5 - 12
Dates: Oct 27
Times: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Capacity: 24
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
This program provides innovative learning opportunities through meaningful, child-led play. Each series fosters essential life skills, inspires creativity, facilitates connection, and integrates advanced cognitive & social emotional skills. Most importantly, children will create lasting memories for years to come! Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Wild Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 5 - 12
Dates: Oct 6
Times: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Capacity: 24
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
This program provides innovative learning opportunities through meaningful, child-led play. Each series fosters essential life skills, inspires creativity, facilitates connection, and integrates advanced cognitive & social emotional skills. Most importantly, children will create lasting memories for years to come! Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Wild Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 5 - 12
Dates: Sep 22
Times: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Capacity: 24
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
This program provides innovative learning opportunities through meaningful, child-led play. Each series fosters essential life skills, inspires creativity, facilitates connection, and integrates advanced cognitive & social emotional skills. Most importantly, children will create lasting memories for years to come! Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Tiny Ones – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 1 - 5
Dates: Sep 2
Times: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Price: $16.50 per child
Overview:
Tiny Ones is designed for the smallest of our TimberNook adventurers. You and your child will venture outdoors for creative play opportunities that foster healthy child development. You’ll also receive weekly ideas on how to inspire independent play at home. Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Protected: Field Trips – TimberNook Northwest Indiana
Ages: 4 - 12
Dates: Oct 14
Times: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Price: $20.00 per child
Overview:
School Field Trips provide a unique opportunity for classes to experience outdoor learning and skill development through play. Our field trips can be customized according to your needs and are offered on flexible schedules. *Programs may vary based on location.Explore
Reviews
Friday 23rd September - Tiny Ones - Inspired EC
reviewed by Suziebrown
Beautiful spot and amazing experience for my 2 yo and 1 yo. They had the best time. Terri is a great instructor. Highly recommend.
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Barefoot and Buckets - TimberNook Northwest Oregon
reviewed by Olivia
Barefoot & Buckets was our first TimberNook program and each day with different sensory activities was memorable! Nicole, Laura, and the team are so kind and communicative. The daily summaries with photos are fun to look through and help spark conversation about the day. Summer weather can be tricky with an outdoor program so we dressed in appropriate layers, wore a swimsuit under clothes and included a towel on water play days, applied sunblock upon arrival, wore a sunhat, and packed extra fruits to help stay hydrated and energized. We look forward to future offerings!
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Storybook - TimberNook Northwest Oregon
reviewed by Olivia
Storybook was our second TimberNook program and each day with different story themes was memorable! We checked out the same books from the library to keep the memories going. Nicole, Laura, and the team are so kind and communicative. The daily summaries with photos are fun to look through and help spark conversation about the day. Summer weather can be tricky with an outdoor program so we dressed in appropriate layers, applied sunblock upon arrival, wore a sunhat, and packed extra fruits to help stay hydrated and energized. We look forward to future offerings!
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Barefoot and Buckets - TimberNook Northwest Oregon
reviewed by [email protected]
This program is so incredibly special. My 8 year old son loved it! To be able to play freely and get creative while in nature is all I wanted for him. He had a blast outside with these camp counselors. It’s a must do camp! Thank you Nicole and all of the other instructors!!!❤️
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Castaways - TimberNook of Greater Cleveland
reviewed by dawncpgardiner
My three children loved this program. They came home full of happiness. They grew closer together as siblings, made new friends, and renewed old friendships. The activities were excellent. My second oldest son would always beat me in any way possible when playing a game with me. After 2 weeks of timbernook this summer, he developed compassion and actually let me win the last 3 games we played together. Timbernook is a transformative experience in a loving and supportive atmosphere. Miss Brenda is amazing.
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Little Wild Ones - TimberNook Northwest Oregon
reviewed by kellysc1
This camp is so awesome. The staff is incredibly experienced and put a TON of effort into the program. The location, Chrysalis Farms, is amazing! And the whole program is so well organized!
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Barefoot and Buckets - TimberNook of Greater Cleveland
reviewed by dawncpgardiner
WE LOVE TIMBERNOOK! My kids (ages 4 and 8) attended this and loved it! They came back covered in mud and gleefully happy every day. They got to play with friends (new and old) and explore and learn. My two oldest children (8 and 10) have grown so much from Timbernook and Miss Brenda's loving care. They love her, and we are so grateful to her for all she does. The camp provides a chance to for kids to explore nature and play in an unstructured manner with peers. Kids are given a chance to do amazingly fun things and challenge themselves. I could NOT be happier with this program. My kids returned happy and exhausted every day full of pure joy. Especially after covid-time, my kids needed this chance for growth, connection with peers, and time in nature.
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Storybook - TimberNook Central Ohio wk 1
reviewed by aafosler
I can’t say enough positive things about this camp. The director and counselors put so much thought into the activities offered but then take a mindful step back to let kids do what they do best, PLAY! Camp weeks are my son’s favorite part of summer!
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Wild Ones - TimberNook Los Angeles
reviewed by Grahamdad
The Wildwood Picnic area proved an ideal setting for the children to explore the river, play games like tug of war, tire-rolling, and more. Sarah and the facilitators provided plenty of cool raw materials and cozy comforts like a fire pit for smores so there were plenty of settings for kids' individual preferences. When there were behavioral challenges, the kids were able to work things out in the end. The photos, quotes and post-session write-ups were fun to read as well. Thanks for the great experience on behalf of my son.
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