The Evergreen Exploring Story
Our Story
Once Upon a Time...
Eight years ago to be precise, there was a baby signing teacher called Natalie delivering lessons across York. Rosie and Emily, two local mums, attended the classes, loved them and became not only friends with each other but with Natalie too.
July 2019, Emily heard that a local "park group", a nature play group was going to fold. Despite never having attended the group, she had always intended to go and most importantly felt it was a loss to the local community if the group stopped. Sometimes you just get a feeling that you should do something, right? Knowing that she a) enjoyed their company and b) that they were all trained teachers so had the skill set, she convinced Natalie and Rosie to take over the group together.
Without knowing it then, the Evergreen Exploring seed had been planted.
Rosie is sniffing an allium on the left.
Emily is wearing a wig of wisteria , top right
Natalie is surrounded by blooms, bottom right
The seed started to grow...
Emily, Natalie and Rosie were all pregnant as well as running after toddlers (Natalie also having a school aged child!) when they took over the local group. Despite the chronic sleep deprivation, they fully enjoyed investing time and energy into the sessions. They loved the community they were building through the outdoor loving parents, grandparents and carers they met.
The group went from strength to strength and Tuesday mornings quickly became the highlight of their week. They realised that they always felt better for getting outside, whatever battle happened beforehand.
Not even the pandemic could stop them from encouraging people to get outside and be creative with nature. During lockdowns, they shared weekly ideas within their virtual community and made up Christmas nature craft packs for the Winter one.
Emily started talking about "park group world domination" - sharing more widely all the incredible nature play ideas and wanting to inspire others to get outside and feel the benefits and Rosie was soon on board.
The seed started to grow...
Emily, Natalie and Rosie were all pregnant as well as running after toddlers (Natalie also having a school aged child!) when they took over the local group. Despite the chronic sleep deprivation, they fully enjoyed investing time and energy into the group. They loved the community they were building through the outdoor loving parents, grandparents and carers they met.
The group went from strength to strength and Tuesday mornings quickly became the highlight of their week. They realised that they always felt better for getting outside, whatever battle happened beforehand.
Not even the pandemic could stop them from encouraging people to get outside and be creative with nature. Once lockdown happened, they shared weekly ideas within their virtual community and made up Christmas nature craft packs for the Winter lockdown.
Emily started talking about sharing about sharing more widely all the incredible nature play ideas, wanting to inspire others to get outside and feel the benefits.
Evergreen Exploring grows into a sapling...
September 2023, they were sitting in Emily's house, they knew they had so much to share but had no idea how on earth to make their vision a reality. There was a knock at the door, Natalie walked in, sat down and opened her notebook. "I want to join you and I have been making notes". Natalie shared her ideas and she not only reassured Rosie and Emily but reignited their belief in what they wanted to achieve. They realised that what they had been missing all along, was Natalie herself.
Here's the thing, we always need people around to be our village: when we have a baby, are chasing after a toddler or negotiating with a pre-schooler. There is no doubt about it, your little people need to be kept busy and you need ideas without wasting your precious time scrolling, buying resources or preparing play set ups. This is the exact reason we have created amazing resources to keep your little people busy. Even better, it is about getting outside so you both reap the benefits of fresh air.
We have so much experience and so many ideas. Come join our community and l never be stuck for activities, crafts, games again. Want to know what's even better? You've got us to be your village, we're here for you.
Rosie is wearing a hoodie on the left.
Emily is wearing glasses in the middle
and Natalie is wearing a scarf on the right.
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