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GALLINGERTOWN – A family initiative that’s very kid-friendly has opened in, well, the middle of nowhere.

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And that’s kind of the point, at Family Earth, a new nature experience centre that founder Rochelle Johnston said helps families reconnect and heal as the world emerges from the pandemic.

“(It’s) a place where families can feel supported as they reconnect with themselves and loved ones in nature,” Johnston said.

“As families have been feeling disconnected and overwhelmed throughout the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to provide our children with experiences that are safe and stress-relieving. Being in nature helps facilitate this.”

Family Earth, which has started out with a successful “soft” opening, is located — if you go by the news release — in Ingleside. But on 34 acres of land, wetlands and forest, with four km of trails, numerous campfire areas and a signature piece ecological market garden, it feels far from the relative hustle and bustle of one of South Stormont’s biggest and most happening villages.

And in fact Family Earth is 10 km northwest of Ingleside, in don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it Gallingertown, and on Groves Rd. just off County Rd. 18.

Not that Family Earth founder Johnston has only rural roots. During a tour of the property, Johnston was accompanied by one of her children, nine-year-old son Kai Van Rossum, and she explained that the family had been living in a large city in Jordan, in the Middle East, and moved to South Stormont last August.

But even in Jordan, the family made it a high priority to be connected with nature and spend time outside; their weekends would often include hiking excursions as the kids were growing up.

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And it was two years ago when Kai and his mom started talking about having their own nature experience centre, with much of the preparation ultimately going on during the series of lockdowns, and with, at first, online workshops, helping families start their first gardens.

That would lead to real get-togethers, real experiences, as Family Earth begins to find its way.

“Our nature playshops are really gaining momentum,” Johnston said.

Families have been exploring walking trails through forest and wetlands, having picnics, buying fresh produce from the garden, and participating in the centre’s nature programming.

Johnston said the centre offers nature-based programming that brings families together, teaches children about well-being, sustainability and the natural environment, and food systems crucial to thriving in a changing world.

She said the activities also teach children valuable skills for a healthy future, including hands-on problem solving, understanding complex systems, teamwork, and emotional and mental resilience.

Programs and workshops include Campfire Cooking, Growing Families Gardening Workshops, Nature Playshops, Art With Nature, Nature Therapy, and a Wilderness First Aid certification course, all designed to encourage creativity and pique curiosity.

“It’s fun for children of all ages as well as the adults in their lives,” Johnston said.

Days and times for some of the numerous activities include every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for the Nature Playshops, with kids engaging in unstructured outdoor play while adults learn how to facilitate nature play.

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Growing Families Gardening Workshops teach organic gardening skills and provide expert advice on how to start or improve your own garden, each Saturday at 10 a.m.

There are Art With Nature Workshops on Sundays at 10 a.m., and Campfire Cooking Workshops — where families can gather around the campfire and cook an organic meal together — every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 4-9 p.m.

The Family Earth website is www.familyearth.earth.

To register for upcoming Family Earth workshops, visit https://www.familyearth.earth/seasonal-experiences

thambleton@postmedia.com

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