Hijos Maíz
"Corn Children"
Leading Children into their Wholeness
A Bilingual Nature-Based Enrichment Program
Head, Heart, and Hands
A 12 week outdoor program where children immerse themselves in Spanish (and some English!) through joyful connection, play & hands-on experiences in nature.
Each session blends language learning, movement, creativity, and outdoor exploration to cultivate the Whole Self: curiosity, balance, confidence, nourishment, respect, wonder, and a lifelong connection with the natural world.
We gather once a week "whatever the weather" to meet the World and explore a second language.
Key Ingredients:
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Spanish through songs, rhymes, play and everyday conversation
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Cooperative games, movement activities, self and team-building activities
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Nature journaling and seasonal observation
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Trail running, hiking, tree climbing, rock hopping
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Foraging, herbal medicine, and cooking
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Altar building and Fire
Hijos Maíz | "Corn Children"
Corn is at Aida's childhood heart, her great-grandmothers taught her how to grind it, make nixtamal, masa, tortillas, atole, sopes and more. Corn is a staple at our home and an important part of our cultural heritage that carries a much deeper story across the Americas.
For countless Indigenous peoples, corn has been a sacred source of nourishment, ceremony, story, and relationship with the land. Mexican cosmovision tells that humans were created from Corn, an understanding that we are connected to the Earth, to one another, and to the generations who came before us...corn is a symbol that unites ALL as RELATIVES across America. It is a food that crosses borders and brings people to the same table.
Food sharing is an important component of our program. Most of the snacks will include an element of corn; tortillas, popcorn, atole, corn cakes, grilled corn husks...and more!
Enrichment for All Children
Our program is open to all children, whether homeschooled or attending public or private school, children can benefit from a day in nature that nurtures social-emotional skills, cultural connection, creativity, and a deeper relationship with nature.
Hijos Maíz is designed to add richness and connection to every child’s life.
Hijos Maíz Guides
We are partners and co-creators in Love, Freedom and Creation. Professionally, we have 30+ years of combined experience serving with children and adults in educational and therapeutic settings. We are guided by the value of Family as an Altar: our daughter, Sol, our dog Muna, our son in the stars, Néctar and our blood and spiritual family in Mexico, Vermont, Virginia, Florida and Colorado.
This program is an extension of our family's vision and values, it reflects how we relate to the natural world, community, and ourselves.
Hijos Maíz
12 Weeks | September-December
Starts 1st or 2nd week of September
One break during Thanksgiving week
Mondays or Wednesdays
9am to 3pm
Ages 6 to 12 | Max 12 children
The formation of the group is based on a balanced mixed age.
$600 per child
One or two payments
Craftsbury, VT
The location will be shared with enrolled families once the group is formed.
