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Our SUMMER Schedule is Now Available!
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See Us In the News…
Mother
of Invention:
Running a House and a
Self-Created Business
- Nature close to home,
by Marguerite Paolino (Bay State Parent Magazine)
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Our Philosophy
Just beyond our doors – in city and suburb alike – there is a wondrous
world of natural activity. Whether in a local forest or pond or
even the park at the end of the block, the cycle of life and the
daily happenings of nature can delight a young child’s unbridled
curiosity all year round.
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PUDDLESTOMPERS’ mission is to connect the youngest naturalists,
ages 2 to 7 years (and their parents and caregivers), to the open
spaces that surround their homes. By providing families with seeds
of interest and tools of exploration, PUDDLESTOMPERS seeks to help
build the foundation for a lifelong enjoyment and love of the outdoors.
A percentage of PUDDLESTOMPERS' revenues are given to the host towns
to support local environmental education and/or conservation efforts.
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Explore…Discover…Learn
PUDDLESTOMPERS provides creative, age-appropriate tools and basic
concepts to gently guide a young child’s exploration and discovery
of the mysteries of nature. PUDDLESTOMPERS also educates parents
and caregivers with natural history and safety information, tips
and resources for broadening a family’s connection to the outdoors.
Have Fun…Play…Create
PUDDLESTOMPERS brings many of children’s favorite indoor activities
to the outdoors. By singing, dancing, reading and doing crafts under
the sky, in a forest or by a pond, our programs stimulate a child’s
development while introducing them to the natural environment.
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Why Nature?
In open spaces, boundaries disappear giving way to a child’s newfound
sense of freedom. By beckoning children to touch, to smell, to hear,
and to see, Mother Nature draws on their powerful instincts to discover.
She enriches and entices the vibrant and uninhibited childhood imagination.
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ABOUT US
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Rachel Rock, Founder and Co-President
Rachel grew up in a 55-acre arboretum in Philadelphia giving her an appreciation for the value of nature and the richness it brings to a child's life and imagination as an environment of play and exploration. Rachel graduated from Brown University and received a Masters degree from Johns Hopkins University. She has worked as a teacher, a nature camp counselor, and spent summers and school vacations working on a farm. Her delight in her own four children's discovery of nature inspired the creation of PUDDLESTOMPERS Nature Exploration.
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Carol Milewich, Co-President
Carol has an expertise in financial analysis and planning. After
receiving her MBA in Marketing and Finance from New York University,
Carol worked in the broadcast industry as a financial manager for
NBC TV and WBZ-TV. As an independent consultant, Carol worked on
projects for Harvard University, WGBH, various local start-up
companies, and established companies. She has also worked as a
preschool substitute teacher. Carol comes from a family of small
business owners and has two daughters of her own with whom she
enjoys hiking, bicycling, and exploring the seashore.
Yael Assaf-Gruzman, Director of Operations and Teacher
Yael, a native of Israel, has many years experience working with
children and nature. With a Master of Arts from Lesley University
and a teaching certificate in elementary education, she has taught
natural history and creative arts to children and families in a
myriad of settings. Yael has taught in community centers, hospitals,
a zoological park, an animal shelter, and in different programs
designed for children with special needs. As part of her teaching,
Yael has handled many animals including ducklings, goats, flying
squirrels and a chinchilla. Her favorite animals are cats and toads.
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Becoming a PUDDLESTOMPERS Teacher
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