Wild Essence

07/09/2025

Wild Essence Workshops | Summer 2025 Calendar ✨
For over 7 years, Wild Essence has been helping children slow down, unplug, and reconnect with the wonders of nature. From wandering woodland trails to gathering fresh garden harvests, our days are filled with hands-on adventures and earthy creativity. 🌿
This summer, we’re making it easier than ever for families to join us. Here’s what’s in store: Pick one day or sign up for all of them — it’s up to you!
🌱 Little Adventures — for our younger explorers (Ages 4–9)
📅 Mondays | 8:30–11:30 AM
Dates:
• July 21
• July 28
• August 4
• August 11
• August 18
• August 25
🌳 Trail Blazers — for our bigger kids ready to roam (Ages 10–13)
📅 Every other Wednesday | 3–6 PM
Dates:
• July 23
• August 6
• August 20
✨ Each week: New theme, nature walks, garden time, and arts & crafts made from the magic we find outdoors.
💚 Cost: $50 per day — includes all materials & 3 hours of outdoor childcare.
🗓️ Deposit: We ask families to pay a $25 deposit at least one week ahead of time — this secures your child’s spot, covers materials, and helps confirm your commitment. The rest of your payment is due when you arrive for the workshop.
Your deposit helps us plan ahead so your child has a group of friends to explore and play with — when everyone shows up, our time together stays fun, social, and full of connection! 🌿✨
💸 Payment: Venmo or PayPal accepted — we’ll send details when you sign up!
🌟 Special: Sign up for all dates and receive $20 off your total!
🍃 What Your Child Will Experience:
Through Wild Essence, children:
🌱 Learn gardening skills — how to plant, care for, and harvest their own food, and where food comes from.
🤝 Build social skills and teamwork — older kids help younger ones, while everyone learns to work and play together.
🌈 Find artistic expression through nature-themed crafts and projects.
🧩 Strengthen problem-solving and early math — from counting seeds to measuring recipes in the mud kitchen.
🏃‍♀️ Develop fine and large motor skills — from adventures outdoors to art-making and garden care.
🌼 Grow independence and confidence, with space to explore, discover, and play freely in nature.
🌿 What to Bring:
Please help your child come ready for adventure:
✅ A filled water bottle and a snack.
✅ Bug spray and sunscreen applied at home before arrival.
✅ Comfortable play clothes that can get muddy and messy.
✅ Safe, sturdy shoes for walking in the woods — no flip-flops or sandals, please!
✨ How to Join:
📩 Contact Jessica Thurston-Fenescey at (315) 901-1679 to book now!
Please remember the more the merrier, 10 spaces available per workshop. Share with your friends, so your children can experience new friends!

07/04/2023

We’re starting our first day of our two week session for 3-5 year olds next week and still are looking for a spot or two to fill ! Its not too late! Call/DM to book your spot!

06/21/2023

**Attention Families**
Does your child have plans for the summer yet? How about giving them a summer camp experience they will be sure to remember. Spots are still available, but may be limited. Call/text to reserve selected dates and for any further information. (315)901-1679

06/15/2023

Schools almost out! Did you make plans for your child(ren) yet? We are looking for kids ages 3-5 for our little buds group and 6-10 for our big explorers group. Mondays and Wednesdays. 2 week minimum sign up. Call today!

05/08/2023

Here’s a couple little fun clips from our time with Miss Liz Pfister❤️🙏🌱

05/08/2023

This was one of my favorite days here at Wild Essence last year. We were blessed with a visit from Miss Liz Pfister , who teaches singing bowls and different types of meditation.Before our day started we went on a mindfulness walk throughout the woods paying attention to the different sounds we heard, the things we saw, and how our walk made us feel. Then, Miss Liz took us on a sound journey where everyone slayed down and closed there eyes (not seen in photos here) and relaxed into a nice sedative state. Towards the end we got out our journals and wrote what we each experienced in our journey. Some friends went to a nice place on a sandy, sunny beach, while other kids imagined nice calm forests. Miss Liz gave them a lesson on what the bowls are, how they are used, and let each of the kids try them out for themselves. Excited to try this again this year!

05/03/2023

Official Announcement!!!
The people have spoken , and it seems like there’s a demand in the community for a program for 3-5 year olds. With that said, I have decided to extend the Wild Essence program to better serve your needs! Ill be offering space from 2-5 Mondays and Wednesdays for the younger ones. Limited space will be avaialble. Call/text to make schedule a phone appt for further details!
(315)901-1679

05/03/2023

**Attention Families**
It's just about that time to have your kids unplug and recharge for another summer here at Wild Essence! For those of you haven't heard about us. We're a nature and garden based spring/summer program for kids. Our purpose here is to help guide children in making those special connections with the natural world and seeing themselves as a part of that big picture. The environment here was created for kids and some of it by kids. It's a place where they can learn, play, and explore, while making meaningful relationships with each other and nature. Please check out our page here on Facebook to read about our philosophy and see photos from previous kids experiences!

Read the ad below for more information on dates and times. Early Bird Spring sign ups are $25 a day (2 week minimum registration).
Summer Camp sign ups are $50 a day (also 2 week minimum)

Call/text for any further information and details you would like to discuss. Sign ups start now!

05/03/2023

Last Summer we made stepping stones for our sensory garden. First we talked about how stepping stones are necessary for being able to move throughout the garden without disrupting the soil structure (compaction causing the reduction of plant roots which effect the plants ability to retrieve water and nutrients) and/or hurting precious plants.

Then we went on a nature walk to find some leaves and flowers that we could press into the cement. They picked out which shapes they each wanted and the other decorative toppings like shells, and flattened glass marbles. Mr. Dan helped us mix and pour the concrete into our molds. We had to wait until the next day for them to dry and uncover their masterpieces. After to test them out, we of course had to play a few games of "The Floor is Lava"

09/14/2022

We made it to the news!! I was featured in a sweet little segment about my experience as a Master Gardener intern, in an interview about my journey of how I got led to an amazing opportunity at Cornell Cooperative Extension-Broome County

Tucked away behind the Cornell Cooperative Extension building on upper Front St. in Binghamton, is the Cutler Botanic Garden.