Nature-Based Learning and Community
The Dickson Valley Learning Collective is a weekly drop-off enrichment program for kids in grades 1–8, held every Wednesday on 160 acres in Kendall County, Illinois. Kids spend the day outside learning together — nature, science, geography, Bible, art, and a whole lot of free play. It's the best of camp and homeschooling in one place!
Winter/Spring Registration Opens Saturday, November 14th at 9am
Winter/Spring 2027 Semester
Wednesdays in the woods for homeschoolers, all winter and spring. Yes, even in January.
Registration opens Saturday, November 14 at 9:00 am
Learning Outside, Every Wednesday
At DVLC, kids ages 6–14 spend Wednesdays exploring 160 acres of woods and trails. They do hands-on science experiments, learn about countries around the world, make art, and do all the things camp does best, together.
Classes are split into three age groups (Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School), and mixed-age time is built into every day on purpose. Community is central to our days.
Rooted in Faith
Everything we do is rooted in faith and the good news of Jesus Christ.
Chemistry, Continued
We're picking up the Chemistry unit right where we left off in December. What is air made of? Why does ice float? Kids ask questions like these, and then we go outside and test them.
Each age group has its own notebook work, and most of the experimenting happens outdoors.
What chemistry looks like at DVLC
- Group teaching time each week with visuals and experiments
- Notebook work at each age level
- Art time with all ages together
Find Your Child's Pod
Each pod has its own lead teacher and stays small. We also mix ages on purpose every day, so the big kids and little kids actually know each other.
Lower Elementary
Lots of play and exploring, with nature walks and plenty of time to build things.
Upper Elementary
More independence and bigger projects. Kids work on outdoor skills and maps, often in teams.
Middle School
Real responsibility around camp, and deeper conversations with friends their own age.
A Day at DVLC
Arrival & Opening Worship
Everyone starts together at the Lake Pavilion with singing, prayer, and a Bible lesson.
Gather 'Round
Our academic block, with geography and this spring's Chemistry lessons. Teachers set up wherever fits the day, indoors or out.
Art & Free Build
Art projects and free building time at the Barn and the outdoor classroom.
Lunch & Free Play
Lunch, then a long stretch of free play outside. Expect forts, mud, and tired kids at pickup.
Camp Activity
The day wraps up with a different camp activity each week.
We go outside in almost any weather, and there's always a warm building close by if we need it. Please send kids dressed for the cold (and the mud).
2027 Program Days
January
- Jan 13 First Day
- Jan 20
- Jan 27
February
- Feb 3
- Feb 10
- Feb 17
- Feb 24
March
- Mar 3
- Mar 10
- Mar 17
- Mar 24 No DVLC
- Mar 31
April
- Apr 7
- Apr 14
- Apr 21
- Apr 28
May
- May 5
- May 12 Last Day
Save Your Spot for Spring
Registration opens Saturday, November 14 at 9:00 am. Fall filled up within two weeks, so set a reminder.
$153/month, or $750 when you pay for the whole semester up front.
Questions? Email us at DVLC@dicksonvalley.com
"Nature-deficit disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illness." — Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods
Wednesdays at Dickson Valley are a gift for the whole family. Kids come home tired, happy, and full of stories. Parents get a full day to work, rest, or just breathe.
Winter/Spring 2027 registration opens November 14!
Saturday at 9:00 am
Questions? Email us at
DVLC@dicksonvalley.com
FAQ
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Students bring their own lunch and snack each day. Please pack enough food to keep your child fueled for a full day of learning and outdoor adventures! Dickson Valley is a peanut-free facility, so please keep this in mind when packing food.
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Drop-off begins at 8:45 AM, and the program starts promptly at 9:00 AM. Pick-up is at 3:00 PM. Please be on time so our day can start and end smoothly!
Drop-off and pick-up will take place at the Parking Lot Pavilion unless weather requires a change-in that case, we’ll let you know ahead of time.
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As much as possible! Weather permitting, lessons and activities will take place outdoors. We have several covered pavilions for rainy days, our large gym, and our lovely dining hall, and classroom spaces all over camp which we’ll use when it’s too cold or unsafe to be outside. Kids should come prepared for all kinds of weather and expect to be outdoors often.
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Weather-appropriate clothing such as rain gear (jacket and pants), snow gear, and cold-weather layers as needed.
Sturdy, weather-appropriate shoes or boots
Lunch and snack (peanut-free)
A backpack or bag to carry home art and papers
A full set of clothes (can be left at camp in a labeled zip-lock bag)
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We use mixed-age groups on purpose. There's something that happens when a 3rd grader is watching a 7th grader navigate a challenge — and something else that happens when that 7th grader realizes a younger kid is watching. That said, we do split into three groups for certain lessons and activities — Lower Elementary (grades 1–3), Upper Elementary (grades 4–6), and Middle School (grades 7–8). A good chunk of the day is still all together.
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If your child is placed on the waitlist, we’ll reach out as soon as a spot opens up. Deposit is still required to hold your spot on the waitlist. If a spot becomes available, we’ll contact you via email and give you 48 hours to confirm your registration. If we’re unable to place your child in the program, your deposit will be fully refunded.
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(Spoiler alert: Yes. In the best way!) We believe the best kind of learning often involves mud, leaves, paint, and a healthy dose of outdoor play. Your child will come home with full hearts, tired legs, and probably dirt on their clothes- and we think that’s a win.
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Registration is by semester — fall (September–December) and spring (January–May). We ask for that commitment because community is a big part of what makes DVLC work. If you need to leave early, just let us know by the 15th of the month before your last month. No penalties.
