"Outdoor classrooms" are outdoor play spaces that use only natural substances that stimulate learning and the use of all five senses. They were created by the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation and the Arbor Day Foundation and LINCK is implementing them across Long Island.

Interested in creating an outdoor classroom? LINCK can help. LINCK offers comprehensive planning, support and design services that bring institutions from idea to implementation to launch of your outdoor classroom.

Step-by-step guide to LINCK Outdoor Classroom services

Pre-planning support

1. Initial consultation: A LINCK representative will come to your site at no cost to discuss the possibilities of an outdoor classroom at your site and assess your proposed area. LINCK can also do presentations to your board and other stakeholders to help garner interest and secure buy-in.
2. Funding: LINCK can assist in writing proposals to seek additional funding for support of planning and implementation.
3. Design: Once funding is secured for the planning phase, you’ll contact LINCK to begin the comprehensive design process.

Planning Phase

1. Organize a team: Your organization selects a planning group with representatives from staff, administration, board members, community leaders, parents, and other stakeholders.
2. Consultation visit: LINCK will send an educator and a certified landscape architect to your site for an initial meeting and walk-through. We’ll meet with your group to evaluate your proposal and discuss your needs and interests.
3. Design Phase: After the consultation visit, the landscape architect will design your outdoor classroom. This plan will be presented to the planning group within two weeks of the consultation visit. It will include a narrative that describes how different elements of the outdoor classroom foster learning. You will also be given a realistic construction timeline.

Implementation Phase

1. Build your outdoor classroom: LINCK can help to identify local contractors, architects and others to help build your classroom, and we’ll provide a list of local vendors who can supply core materials. Buying locally reduces your carbon footprint by decreasing the amount of wasteful packing materials and the emissions cost of shipping items long distance. It also saves time and allows you to see what you are buying before a final purchase is made. Finally, it helps support our local economy.
2. Staff Training: A LINCK trainer will come to your site to do a half-day training session on using your outdoor classroom and maximizing learning and exploration opportunities at your site.

Launch and Certification Phase

1. Launch: The Early Years Institute’s marketing and communications staff can help you get press, legislators and other officials to your site for the official launch and opening of your outdoor classroom.
2. Certification: If you’re interested in becoming a nationally Certified Nature Explore Classroom through the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, LINCK can help with your application.
3. Recognition: Your outdoor classroom will receive its own page on the LINCK web site, promoting your space as a Long Island outdoor classroom.

The LINCK comprehensive design service (planning, implementation, launch and certification) is provided as a package. Cost for this service will vary depending on the size of your site and your specific needs. The cost of constructing your outdoor classroom and the materials it holds are not included. To get started, contact Hillary Olson at 516-304-5480 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .