Curiosity gathers here

An Outdoor Community for Self-Directed Learning

Like the colorful quail who gather in coveys, we meet up weekly to follow our curiosity and grow in connection with the land and each other. We’re so glad you’re here.

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Three friends discover life among the leaf litter on a recent nature play walk along Rio Grande Bosque, in Albuquerque, New Mexico

At Covey, we trust children to notice what matters to them and to follow it with care, curiosity, and joy!

Learning unfolds from relational safety and the freedom to explore and connect. Our days together are shaped by listening—to ourselves, to one another, and to the world around us. At its heart, this isn’t a program. It’s all of us working together to build the type of community we want for the world – a community built on trust, radical love, freedom, and shared responsibility.

See What a day holds

Why pay for play?

10:00–10:15 | Arrival + Settling In

Families arrive and ease into the space—there’s time to say hello, check in, and find a rhythm. Young people might explore the area, observe, or jump into conversation or play.

A welcome table with offerings of tea, nature journals, or sensory invitations like watercolors, pinecones, or clay.

10:15–10:35 | Morning Circle

We gather to ground ourselves and set intentions for the day. Young people and adults are invited to share what they’re curious about, what they hope to do, or simply how they’re feeling. All participants can request or offer activities. We may also decide on group agreements, or talk through logistics like weather or boundaries.

This is our shared starting point—anchored in choice, presence, and consent.

10:35–11:30 | Open Exploration + Offerings

Young people are free to follow their interests—climbing trees, building shelters, drawing, creating, asking questions, resting, or inventing group games. Facilitators, parents, and young people may offer simple invitations like:

A book club discussing a favorite series while collaging fan art
Nature scavenger hunts
Nature building or survival skills
Making mud pies, tending a garden, creating recycled sculptures
Plant or insect identification
Quiet rest zones or reading corners

We create our days together.

11:30–12:00 | Invitation to Lunch

We invite everyone to eat lunch if they haven’t already been snacking and eating throughout the day. We remind each other to wash hands, nourish, and hydrate.

12:00–2:30 | Continued Play, Projects, and Collaboration

Adults might co-create with the young people, join in their world-building, or simply observe and support from the edges.

2:30–3:00 | Transition + Farewells

We invite all to snack, hydrate, and begin cleaning up. Facilitators assess whether a Closing Circle to debrief the day would be beneficial.

Why would I pay for my kids to play all day?

Because play, connection, and community are essential—and building a space where they can thrive takes real, ongoing care.

We’ve seen many volunteer-led communities come and go. Often, the invisible work of culture-building—things like conflict resolution, inclusion, welcoming new families, and maintaining shared agreements—falls to just a few people, or it’s lost altogether. Our team is here to hold that work with consistency, skill, and love.

We believe in a future where community care is woven into the fabric of daily life—not an afterthought. Until we get there, we’re committed to doing this work well and making it accessible. Financial aid is available, and we welcome a conversation about what support would make Covey possible for your family.

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There’s room for you
in this story

At Covey, we believe learning is a shared, living journey rooted in curiosity, connection, care, and freedom. If this feels like a place where your family can grow together, where each person’s voice and pace are honored, we would love to welcome you. Ready to take the next step?

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