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Our Accreditation Awards

School Field Trip

Gold Acorn Award

  • Full Local-Heritage integration, Holistic Educational approach (Waldorf preferred) and Indigenous Cultural integration

  • Original storytelling, heritage vocabulary, or original verses

  • Homestead elements with life skill teaching (gardening, animals, crafts)

  • Full-Year outdoor instruction (minimum of 6 months, or all-season immersion)

  • Parent education programs

Child Carrying Vegetables

Silver Acorn Award

  • Strong Nature and Holistic Education influence

  • Nature immersion in multiple seasons (minimum of 4 Months or all-season experience)

  • Seasonal festivals and handwork integration

  • Story-rich learning approach

Kid's Playing Outdoor

Standard Acorn Award

  • Basic nature immersion with Holistic education elements

  • At least one seasonal festival per year

  • Weekly outdoor learning sessions
    (minimum of 4 months or all-season experience)

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MNEA Awards

Our professionals, which are made up of nature-based instructors, experienced educators, and MN Master Naturalists - review all applicants and award our accreditation on a three tier standard depending on provable outcomes, degree of stewardship modeled, quality of materials offered, and safety in MN outdoor settings. 

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    © 2022 MNEA Nature Education Accreditation

     

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