Walk with Poetry.

Explore the wonders of poetry with our unique outdoor creative writing class, Walk with Poetry. In this class, your child will read, write, and learn about different types of poems while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. Students will develop a deeper appreciation for nature and enhance their writing skills in a fun and supportive environment.

Perfect for celebrating National Poetry Month or preparing for the California K-12 Coastal Art & Poetry Contest.

Join us and let nature inspire your child’s creativity and writing skills!

Description

In this class, students will connect their love of nature with the craft of poetry. We’ll explore different forms, including haiku and blackout/erasure in Walk with Poetry 1, and sonnets in Walk with Poetry 2—providing new challenges and creative opportunities at each level.

Each session begins with a nature walk along a local scenic trail, where students photograph their surroundings and record their observations through writing and sketching in personal journals. These observations will serve as the foundation for their poems, helping students bring their ideas to life through poetic techniques such as rhythm, imagery, and metaphors.

By the end of the course, students will have created their very own poetry chapbooks—a keepsake that celebrates their creativity, personal growth, and the beauty of the world they’ve captured in words. We can’t wait to see what they’ll create!

  • Walk With Poetry is offered as both a weekly course during the academic year and as a 5-day seasonal camp.

    Academic year: $240

    • Sibling discount: $10 off for each sibling joining

    • EARLYBIRD REGISTRATION

      • Register before March 7, 2025 and get $25 off!

    Seasonal Camp: $240

    • CAMP EARLYBIRD REGISTRATION

      • Register before May 1, 2025 and get $25 off!

      • Sibling discount: $10 off for each sibling joining

    Tuition covers the course and materials, including individual chapbook-making supplies. Tuition must be fully paid before the start of class.

  • Writing Sessions: Guided exercises to explore each week's poetic form, focusing on creating vivid imagery and emotional impact.

    Readalouds: Interactive storytelling sessions where students can hear classic and contemporary poetry, fostering a love for reading and performance.

    Poetic Games: Engaging, fun activities designed to teach poetic elements and encourage creativity.

    Group Discussions: A chance for students to share their thoughts and work and discuss their ideas and inspirations.

  • Walk with Poetry 1:

    Lesson 1: Introduction to Poetry & Haiku - Discover the beauty of brevity and nature in poetry.

    Lesson 2: Exploring Imagery & Rhythm - Deepen understanding of poetic imagery and rhythm through hands-on activities.

    Lesson 3: Blackout/Erasure Poetry - Transform existing texts into personal poetic expressions.

    Lesson 4: Limericks.

    Lesson 5: Chapbook Creation - Select and compile students' best works into their very own chapbooks to take home.

    Walk with Poetry 2:

    Lesson 1: Why Poetry?

    Lesson 2: Free Verse

    Lesson 3: Sonnets

    Lesson 4: Haiku

    Lesson 5: Chapbook Creation

  • Throughout our time together, we’ll be reading out loud a wide range of published and diverse works and studying them. Below are some example texts we may read samples from:

    • Change Sings by Amanda Gorman

    • How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander

    • Selections by William Carlos Williams

    • Selections by poets Shiki and Basho

    • Selections from Stone Soup magazine

    Note that these are possible selections we may read from. Once we get to know the children more, we also try to find selections that might appeal to them or selections related to what’s happened in class.

  • Please bring the following to every session:

    • A folder for hand-outs and photos

    • Notebook (blank or lined)

    • Pencil and eraser

    • Imagination and an open mind!

    • Drinking water

    • Comfortable walking shoes

Spring & Summer 2025 Schedule

All times in Pacific. Schedule is subject to change throughout the year. New class options will open once a minimum number of 3 students are interested.

Guardians — sign in to see exact outdoor park locations.

Walk with Poetry Responsive Custom Table
Day Time For Ages Location Dates No Classes On
ACADEMIC YEAR -
-- Walk with Poetry 1 Mondays 2:00pm - 4:00pm 7-9 Irvine, CA April 7. 2025 - April 28 - 2025 -
Don't see a class option that works for you? Fill out this interest form to be notified when new class options are opened!
CAMP -
-- Walk with Poetry 1 M - F 10:30am - 12:30pm 7-9 Irvine, CA June 9, 2025 - June 13, 2025 -
-- Walk with Poetry 2 M - F 2:30pm - 4:30pm 10-13 Irvine, CA June 9, 2025 - June 13, 2025 -
Don't see a camp option that works for you? Fill out this interest form to be notified when new camp options are opened!

Questions & Answers

  • The safety of our students is our top priority. Our Writing Mentors are required to have first aid training. Groups are kept small to ensure each child receives proper attention and care. We stick to well-marked, child-friendly paths. Parents are welcome to walk the trail with us to ensure comfort with the path their children will be exploring.

  • Unfortunately, no. We are not yet a vendor at a local charter school. Email us what charter school you are a part of, and we will work on becoming an approved vendor.

    Currently, we are in the process of becoming vendors for Cabrillo Point Academy and Suncoast. Please also suggest us a vendor to your charter school.

  • In case of inclement weather, classes will be rescheduled to ensure the safety and comfort of all children.

  • Absolutely! Our course is designed for children of all backgrounds and levels of experience with poetry. We start with the basics and progressively build on them in a way that's engaging and easy to understand. Our goal is to ignite a love for poetry and encourage creative expression, not to assess prior knowledge.

  • We maintain a low mentor-to-student ratio to ensure personalized attention and a supportive learning environment. Typically, the ratio will not exceed 1 writing mentor for every 5 students. This allows us to cater to the individual needs of each child and fosters a close-knit group atmosphere.

  • All outdoor classes are currently local to Irvine, Tustin, and Lake Forest. To ensure the safety of our students, we provide specific locations to registered families only.

  • The final chapbook is a compilation of each child's chosen poems, created in the last week of the course. Children are involved in the selection and assembly process, making it a meaningful keepsake. Because chapbooks are made by hand by the children, we are unable to make copies.

  • We do not provide snacks during the class, and there is not a dedicated snack break. We recommend that children have a hearty meal before coming to class. However, children are welcome to bring their own snacks to eat during the nature walk or while working on their projects, as long as they can manage this independently and it does not disrupt the class.

  • On the last day of the course, we invite parents to a special presentation where students can share their favorite pieces of poetry from their chapbooks. This celebration of their achievements allows students to experience the joy of sharing their work with an audience and offers families a glimpse into the creative journey their children have embarked on. It's a wonderful way to conclude our time together and celebrate the students' hard work and creativity.