Bonne et Belle

Children

Mini Nature Retreat

Unplug and rediscover the joy and calm a playdate with Nature can bring!

Perfect for families, playgroups, homeschoolers, and friend groups, our Children’s Mini Nature Retreat is a custom nature bathing experience adapted to the ages and abilities of participants.

$80 / 1.5-Hour Session (for 1-10 children)
Adults Free

For groups larger than 10, please contact us for pricing.

For this private, customized nature bathing experience, kiddos and their grown-ups will tap into their imaginations and immerse their senses in the sights, sounds, scents and textures of nature through playful invitations to interact with the natural world.
WHAT TO EXPECT

For this nature bathing experience, you and your child will be guided on an amble around the woods, lawns, ponds and creeks at Bonne et Belle.

This experience concludes with a picnic tea ceremony on the farm and a snack.

This experience takes place within a 3-acre area, sometimes less, and typically within sight of the White Barn (and the bathroom!).

During the walk, your guide will offer a series of invitations, prompts of a sort, for interacting with the natural world through your sense of sight, sound, touch, smell, and sometimes even taste.  These invitations typically last 5-10 minutes each.

Following each invitation, the group will gather briefly for the opportunity to share or simply listen to others’ sharings.

The paths will be some blend of pavement, lawn, cow trails and footpaths on mostly even terrain.  (If you have mobility concerns, please see our Accessibility information.)

WHY SHOULD YOU BOOK A MINI NATURE RETREAT FOR YOUR CHILD?

Most American children spend about 5 to 7 hours a day on screen, according to the U.S. Library of Medicine, and if they’re learning remotely, that number can be even higher.

According to the Mayo Clinic, excessive screen time can be linked to obesity, impaired vision, irregular sleep, anxiety, behavioral problems, and impaired academic performance.

Although the range of “optimal outdoor time” suggested by experts ranges greatly— from 20 minutes a day to 3 hours a day or more—all agree that spending time in nature is essential to a child’s health and happiness.

Studies show that children who spend time outside show more creativity, better school performance, higher physical fitness, better sleep, less depression and hyperactivity, stronger bones, improved eyesight, and a longer, healthier life span.

And of course, the adults who accompany them in nature reap all of these benefits as well!

Age

This experience is adaptable to all ages 0-12. Just let us know the ages of your group and we will customize an experience just for you!

Duration

1.5 hours, to include the nature bathing experience and the tea ceremony.

Price

$80 / 1.5-Hour Session (for 1-10 children)
Adults Free

For groups larger than 10, please contact us for pricing.

Please note, a 50% deposit is required upon booking to reserve the space, date and time for your session.

Check-In

Check-in is at the White Barn, where a bathroom is available for you at the beginning and end of the walk.

What to Wear & Bring
  • Dress in clothing you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • Dress for comfort and for the weather.
  • Consider the Florida sun, insects, humidity, and occasional rain showers.
  • A water bottle, sunscreen and insect repellant are recommended.
  • Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended, though there may be times you’re invited to take them off and wade in a creek.
  • A small towel for a wipe-down post-walk is a handy accessory
Anita Webster
MEET YOUR GUIDE

Anita Webster is a nature therapy guide, certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, and she’s the owner of Bonne et Belle.  She has grown up on this land and has climbed the trees, waded in the creeks, explored the swamps and fields and can vouch for their awesomeness.  Anita has also spent most of her adult life teaching kids of all ages, even kids-at-heart, and pretty much thinks kids are the best thing ever.

Book today!

Want to learn more?  Please complete the form below for full package details or to schedule a tour.