Category: News

Every time that Something Good in the World engages in outdoor educational programs with children and families, it feels like nothing short of a miracle. So much goes into making these free programs possible: the foundationsthat fund the work, the educators who prepare the workshops, the schools andshelters who help organize the trips, the people who transport the students,the farmers who host and guide us. None of what we do would be possiblewithout the people who support the programs because they understand theimpact that nature has on the well being of children of all ages.

In June 2022, Something Good in the World is celebrating 20 years as a non-profit, charitable, children’s educational organization, under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code! And we want to celebrate with you! If you are on our email list or follow us on Facebook, you already know that we have taken up a daily challenge to post videos and photos of the past 20 years of success stories, which happened because of your participation! Whether you were a student, a parent, a teacher, or a supporter of our programs, we want to hear from you with your stories, photos, videos, and memories.

This fall, Something Good in the World really accomplished something amazing…We shipped our Envira Pod mobile educational trailer and Earth School materials to Hawai’i thanks to a generous grant and the tireless fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Volcano School of Arts & Sciences! Now our programs can continue to flourish in both Hawai’i and New York!

It’s so wonderful, incredible, and exciting to be working with children
and families in person again! Hooray for the reopening of our programs in person after a year of distance learning. What a relief! We are so happyto be out in the gardens and on the trails and farms with children again!

In the midst of feeling grateful at this time of year for all the good things that can happen and for all the light that can be generated, we want to thank you, our donors and supporters and volunteers, for keeping Something Good happening in the World!

In the face of obstacles, Something Good in the World teaches students to become versatile. The essential quality or “vitamin” of Versatility is about developing the mindset that makes one immune to self-doubt. Inside of a Golden Education Template (GET) inspired school model, SGITW needed to heed its own advice this spring. Distance learning is antithetical to experiential education – we want everything to be hands-on. But the need to change temporarily to meet new requirements is causing all of us to stretch our minds and hearts, and work at being versatile.

Originally, we would have led into our Winter into Spring newsletter with descriptions of all the fantastic activities of the past few months, but we have to pause in the light of the world situation, to reflect not only on the successes, but also on what might be next. This is especially the case because our school gardens are suddenly on pause, our spring programs on hold, and everything taking a deep in-breath of unknown. Hands-on,farm-based, experiential, arts-integrated, natural education is not designed to be online. So, what now?