• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
The Greenway Foundation

The Greenway Foundation

Revitalizing Rivers. Reconnecting Communities.

  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Team
    • Project Map
    • Employment
    • Blog
    • Annual Report
    • Contact Us
  • SPREE
    • Elementary
      • Excursions (Field Trips)
        • Preschool SPREE Field Trip
        • Kindergarten SPREE Field Trip
        • First Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Second Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Third Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Fourth Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Fifth Grade SPREE Field Trip
      • Camps
        • Summer Camp
        • School Break Camp
    • Middle School
      • Leaders In Training
    • High School
      • River Rangers
      • Greenway Leadership Corps
    • Families
      • Family Events
      • Camps
        • Summer Camp
        • School Break Camp
      • Just for Kids
  • Stewardship
    • Clean Water Challenge
    • Nautilus
    • Gutter Bins
    • Volunteer
    • Barb Biggs Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Family Events
    • Stewardship Events
    • CROSSCURRENTS
    • Reception on the River
    • Gala on the Bridge
  • Give
  • SPREE
  • Elementary
    • Excursions (Field Trips)
      • Preschool (ECE)
      • Kindergarten
      • First Grade
      • Second Grade
      • Third Grade
      • Fourth Grade
      • Fifth Grade
      • Field Trip Signup
      • Field Trip Feedback
    • Camps
      • Summer Camp
      • School Break Camp
    • Scholarships
  • Middle School
    • Leaders In Training
  • High School
    • River Rangers
    • Greenway Leadership Corps
  • Families
    • Family Events
    • Camps
      • Summer Camp
      • School Break Camp
    • Just for Kids
    • Scholarships

The Power of Environmental Education in Young Learners

When young children explore nature, they’re doing more than just playing — they’re building critical thinking skills, growing empathy, and developing a lasting connection to the world around them.

Environmental education in early childhood:
– Boosts physical, social, and emotional development
– Encourages curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving
– Fosters stewardship and a lifelong love for the planet

The Greenway Foundation’s SPREE (South Platte Environmental Education) team is dedicated to guiding learners in developing a positive relationship with the river through school excursions, day camps, and much more!  

At a time when kids are forming how they see themselves and the world, giving them opportunities to learn outside and engage with nature has lasting impacts.

Want to learn more about the benefits backed by research? Check out this resource from the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE):

https://naaee.org/programs/eeworks/benefits-early-childhood

#EnvironmentalEducation #EarlyChildhoodEducation #NaturePlay #NAAEE #GetOutside

Published: June 20, 2025
Category: News, SPREETag: Animals, Camp, GLC, Johnson Habitat Park, stewardship, youth programs
SPREE

About SPREE

South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE) has been introducing Denver area youth to the river through school excursions, day camps, weekend events, internships, and summer employment for over 40 years. Learn More

Previous Post:SPREE Summer Camp Week 1: June 9-13 2025, Special Agent Training!
Next Post:GLC: Kayaking and Camping

Sidebar

Current News

River Ranger internship 2024-2025

Our river ranger internship this year was so different and fun. Keep reading more to hear all about it! We started our River Ranger Internship a little later than we …

More Blog Posts

Summer Solstice Camping

SPREE Summer Camp: June 23-27, Bioblitz

GLC: Kayaking and Camping

The Power of Environmental Education in Young Learners

Blog Categories

Blog Archive

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014

The Greenway Foundation

1820 Platte Street, Denver, CO 80202

info@greenwayfoundation.org

303.481.1974

FEIN: 51-0193575

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
1% for the Planet Nonprofit Partner
About Us
SPREE
Stewardship
Projects
Events
DONATE TODAY
SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST
CONTACT US

Copyright © 2025 · The Greenway Foundation · All Rights Reserved