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Teeny Tiny Trailblazers

Program Overview

*The Teeny Tiny Trailblazers program is year round, but our current session is at Norman Bird Sanctuary from March - June, with a flat membership fee of $150. However, families can now become a member for the entire year at a discounted membership donation fee.* Introduce your little ones to the wonders of the natural world with our Teeny Tiny Trailblazers outdoor nature sensory play group! Designed specifically for children aged 0-5, this engaging and sensory-rich program combines outdoor play with hands-on exploration, fostering a love for nature from an early age. Families will embark on a delightful journey through nature, sparking their curiosity and encouraging a lifelong appreciation for the magic of fall and winter. Finally, our program encourages a safe and comfortable experience for parents to explore the early years of their children's lives through forging strong and meaningful connections with other families.

AGE:

LOCATION:

DURATION:

DAY & TIME:

LEADER:

COST:

0 - 5 Years
Norman Bird Sanctuary
YEAR ROUND (starts March 7)
Fridays 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Jess Mercier
$150.00
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MEET YOUR YOUR

Group Leader

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Jess Mercier

As a new mother to sweet Jaxen, Jess appreciates firsthand the joys and challenges of parenting. This has fueled her commitment to providing enriching experiences for both children and their families. Her personal experiences as a parent over the last seven months have deepened her empathy and insight into the needs of young learners, allowing her to connect with them on a meaningful level.

In addition, Jess brings a wealth of experience and passion to our new outdoor education program, blending her academic background with her love for nature and early childhood development. Her educational journey is complemented by a robust background in early education and behavioral therapy, equipping her with the skills to create nurturing and effective learning environments for young children.

  • Who is the Owl Adventure Club group leader?
    Group leaders serve as a vital link for families exploring alternative learning and we are truly grateful for the parents volunteering their time to make a difference in our community. Each group has their own group leader volunteer. Make sure to save your group leaders contact information. Group Leaders for Owl Adventure Club: Sarah Clarke: ‭+1 (401) 480-5250
  • What is the snack rotation & where can I sign up? (copy)
    To ensure our kids are meeting their dietary needs, we will host a snack rotation where each parent is responsible for bringing snacks during one program. You can sign up for the Owl Adventure Club snack rotation on the Google Calendar here.
  • What is the refund Policy for Monthly Memberships?
    Monthly Plans: Full refunds are available within 7 days of the initial payment or the most recent recurring payment. After the 7-day period, refunds will no longer be available.
  • Is parent participation required?
    Parent participation is required & it’s our goal to provide parents the opportunity to be your child’s best teacher and strongest advocate for their learning. Family members can bring your children, just please provide notice to the group leader.
  • I have registered for a program but can't access the Parent Portal.
    If you registered for a program and don't have access to certain areas of the Parent Portal, please contact marial@oceanstatekids.com or text (401)-443-9096 for assistance.
  • What is the refund Policy for Seasonal Memberships?
    Seasonal Plans: Full refunds are available within 7 days of the initial payment or the most recent recurring payment. Prorated refunds are available anytime, calculated at $8.00 per remaining week of the program.
  • Do we still meet if it's raining?
    We will still be meeting outdoors on rainy days, so please dress accordingly. Hard climates we will arrange for indoor options.
  • I am having trouble signing up for the Snack Rotation.
    If you discover an issue with the Google Calendar for your groups snack rotation, please contact marial@oceanstatekids.com.
  • Why is there a photographer at our group?
    Photographers will be periodically be taking photos of our programs. These photos help us build awareness for participation, but also support fundraising efforts. We understand that not all families want their children’s face on marketing materials. Photo use in public domain will be on a request basis.
  • Remember this is a group effort.
    You have a designated group leader but these programs are a team effort. Please offer help setting up, and breaking down to make the day easier!
  • How can I download worksheets?
    You have access to our library of worksheets. If you wish to download, print, and bring with you, we encourage your to do so!
  • What happens if a program day is cancelled?
    It's the group leaders choice to cancel the day. If this occurs, an extra day will be added to the agenda, or a parent can step in to volunteer as the group leader for the day!
  • First Aid & Safety
    Your group leader will be equipped with a basic First Aid kit to treat any boo-boos or small injuries. Parent participation is required to secure safety for their own children. Ocean State Kids does hold a liability insurance policy in the case of any unforeseen accidents or injuries.
  • How do I download the mobile app?
    You can download the mobile app directly to your phone here.
  • How do I cancel my membership?
    You can cancel your program membership by visiting, https://www.oceanstatekids.com/parentportal and clicking on My Membership in the Parent Portal Profile dropdown menu.
  • What is the refund Policy for Yearly Memberships?
    Full refunds are available within 7 days of the initial payment or the most recent recurring payment. Prorated refunds are available anytime, calculated at $6.50 per remaining week of the program.
  • How does Membership Donation Costs work?
    HOW MEMBERSHIP DONATION COSTS WORKS? As a nonprofit organization, we rely on membership donations and community partners to keep Ocean State Kids thriving! We strive to keep weekly costs affordable, averaging $7–$12 per week, depending on the Membership Donation plan you choose. MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS: SEASONAL (Most Popular): Most of our programs run on a seasonal basis, and the most common Membership Donation is the Seasonal Membership, which is billed every 14 weeks. MONTHLY: For families who prefer flexibility or are unable to commit long-term, we offer a Monthly Membership option to accommodate your dynamic needs. YEARLY: Our Yearly Membership is available at a discounted rate, averaging about $7 per week. This option is perfect for families who are committed to Ocean State Kids and envision a long-term future with us. SET COST: Some programs may have a fixed cost due to partnerships with specific locations that require a strategic budget. Details about what’s included in the Membership Cost will be provided during enrollment. For more details, including our refund policies, please refer to our FAQs.
  • Interaction with animals.
    If your program has a day that involves animals, please be cognizant of your child's own safety.
  • Children are free to learn at their own pace.
    We understand that every child’s learning is different, so this program embraces the ‘learn at your own pace’ mentality. If at anytime your child finds interest in something, don’t pull them away. If they find little interest in something, feel free to explore something else. Let them lead the way.
  • What activities are provided during the program?
    We curate activities in advance, so you have the ability customize it in your own way to fit your child’s age or special needs. You will be able to review the Daily Agendas on the mobile app.
  • What should we wear during winter programs?
    Please come prepared for the weather. If you want a better understanding on how to dress for winter, browse our Winter Clothing Recommendations.
  • What is the snack rotation & where can I sign up?
    To ensure our kids are meeting their dietary needs, we will host a snack rotation where each parent is responsible for bringing snacks during one program. You can sign up for the Teeny Tiny Trailblazers snack rotation on the Google Calendar here.
  • Who is Teeny Tiny Trailblazers group leader?
    Group leaders serve as a vital link for families exploring alternative learning and we are truly grateful for the parents volunteering their time to make a difference in our community. Each group has their own group leader volunteer. Make sure to save your group leaders contact information. Group Leaders for Teeny Tiny Trailblazers Jess Mercier: 1 (978) 494-2318‬
  • What is the snack rotation & where can I sign up?
    To ensure our kids are meeting their dietary needs, we will host a snack rotation where each parent is responsible for bringing snacks during one program. You can sign up for the Little Compton Explorers snack rotation on the Google Calendar here.
  • Who is the Lil' Compton Explorers group leader?
    Group leaders serve as a vital link for families exploring alternative learning and we are truly grateful for the parents volunteering their time to make a difference in our community. Each group has their own group leader volunteer. Make sure to save your group leaders contact information. Group Leaders for Lil' Compton Explorers: Marlen Oliva: ‭+1 (401) 480-1102‬
  • What is the snack rotation & where can I sign up?
    To ensure our kids are meeting their dietary needs, we will host a snack rotation where each parent is responsible for bringing snacks during one program. You can sign up for the Little Tweet snack rotation on the Google Calendar here.
  • Who is Little Tweets group leader?
    Group leaders serve as a vital link for families exploring alternative learning and we are truly grateful for the parents volunteering their time to make a difference in our community. Each group has their own group leader volunteer. Make sure to save your group leaders contact information. Group Leaders for Little Tweets: Marial Leisge: 401-418-2295 KK Behan: 401-743-6279 Kristen Clemente: 978-621-1590 Tara Kane: 339-927-8302
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