Our story starts here...

Sprouting HeARTS Studio is a mobile Home Education ARTS Studio run by Laurel Herbert and her husband the musical "Mr. Mark".  Laurel is a professional potter and fiber artist  by trade and has been teaching creative arts programming independently for 20 years.  She is an all around facilitator of creativity who loves working with children in nature  through the arts.  She lives by the motto "What Catches the Eye, Inspires the Hand".  Laurel is a trained ALF (Agile Learning Facilitator) and loves to engage with children in intuitive and out of the box ways calling on her years of experience with teaching outreach programs and homeschooling her own children.  She is excited to join forces with Mary Miller Jordan of Be Life Farm.

​

Be Life Farm is home of Mike & Mary Jordan, their 3 daughters and a vast assortment of feathered, furry and hooved family members. Mary and Mike specialize in 'wellness programs' where they partner with the animals on the farm to assist others in animal assisted mindfulness activities as the life long journey of 'Self Uncovery'. The farm is also home to the nonprofit Mary founded called "I AM HERD" where horses help humans to 'hear their own hearts'. Mary works with her herd of formerly wild Mustangs to help others uncover their authentic 'Wild I AM'. Mary's workshops are empowering and insightful and she is an excellent facilitator for bringing about a powerful self awareness of the personal journey we are all on. 

​

The natural partnership between our Sprouting HeARTS Studio program and Be Life Farm  came about after Laurel lost her Muddy Schoolhouse Studio site to flooding and she needed a place to start over ...a phoenix rising from the ashes story.  Starting over as Sprouting Hearts Studio a name that conveyed love and nurturing she planted a newly named seed for creative growth, Mary  stepped into the picture with Be Life Farm and had the land and encouragement to help it grow.  From there we just fed our mutual desire and realization that we could combine our passions for facilitating happiness and a better life for children and adults, our varied skill sets teaching and training and resources of land and labor to create a beautiful space for personal and creative connection and growth.  We both strive to foster an environment where our own children and small groups of students  and families can slow down, listen to their emotions and kindle a lifetime passion for learning through  arts,storytelling, farming, animal care and much more. 

 

At our core we recognize that children are born capable of connecting with the land in a very special way and we are committed to enriching our student’s lives through the celebration of this natural bond. Every day is an opportunity to get outside, use our senses, and let our knowledge base sprout roots and grow.

In this inspiring farm and forest setting, children  and adults will blossom as they learn naturally from real life processes. Everyone is encouraged to  help with the farm work such as gardening and animal care. Learning emerges from engaging with the animals, forest exploration, wildcrafting and creative art and handwork projects.  This homesteading farm allows us to teach and live by ecological sound and sustainable practices with a focus on caring, compassion and connection. Being outdoors provides  for a wide range of opportunities for physical exploration, inspiration and creativity. 

 

​

 

SPRING BREAK CAMP

​

Mindful Sprouts Nature Day Camp Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Family camp for children ages 5-11 with their parent

Dates:  March 26th -30th of  2018

Times:  9am -3pm

Where:  Be Life Farm,  1001 Greens Dairy Road, Kelly NC 28448

Cost: $300 for the full week of fun for one child and their parent

Day Pass Options:  $70 per day for parent and child and you pick the day that works with your schedule and resonates with your family

​

For More Information or to Register for a Camp/Day Contact:

Laurel Herbert, Lead Facilitator,  for more information and to register your child or group .

Phone: 910-620-4149

Email:  Muddymuse@gmail.com 

or

Mary Miller Jordan co-owner of  Be Life Farm

Phone:  

Email:  Belifefarm@gmail.com

​

​

​

What is this Mindfulness Camp about?

Mindful Sprouts Nature Camp is a little different in that we not only nurture 'mindfulness' in the children, we also nurture 'mindfulness' in the parent-child relationship. Our intent is to offer parents inspiration and tools of connection to communicate with their children from a place of deeper self awareness. Our camp days are designed to flow with each individual’s personal  interests and energy and to cultivate mindfulness for children and their families.  This camp will help parents renew a sense of awe and wonder in the natural world and connect with their  children and nature in mindful and playful ways.  .  Located on the rural  Be Life Farm the outdoors is our classroom.  With access to 35 acres on a rural homesteading farm with horse pastures, fields, woods, gardens, and barns, children have opportunities to experience and learn more about the natural world in which they live.  They will  learn about natural resources, growing food, and reducing their environmental impact.  They also learn ways to slow down their minds and bodies to  connect with authenticity, compassion and empathy when working with each other, our goats and other animals. The week is filled with mindfulness exercises, yoga, cool group games, art activities and enriching experiences.  Our days have plans laid out but in life nothing is set in stone.  Our experienced facilitators  Laurel Herbert and Mary Miller Jordan are adept at going with the flow of whatever the day brings us in terms of weather, farm life and campers interests and are adept at keeping the camp engaging for all who attend.

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Mindful Monday: Centering Ourselves with Mandalas, Mazes, Mind jars and Mud

 

Join us as we learn and practice some ways to center ourselves and calm our minds and bodies through yoga, arts, games and connecting with nature and the animals at the farm.

• We will be making mesmerizing mind jars to “CALM” our thoughts.  

• We will also be creating  mandalas with natural materials like shells, sticks, stones and leaves to help us “FOCUS”.

• We will get to play around with some clay as we take turns “CENTERING” by throwing pottery on a wheel and making clay finger labyrinths.

• Mixed in is plenty of time to play, relax, eat, visit the garden, the goats, the horses, and all of the other animals that live on the farm.

•  Parents are invited to participate in a special session with Mary Miller Jordan and her team of 'Wild Mustang Guides' This will be a sacred space to explore ways we can connect to our authentic self, what Mary calls our 'Wild I AM. This connection with self is key to a more mindful connection with our children and all others in our life.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

​

​

​

​

Teamwork Tuesday: Tea Time, the HeART of Collaboration, and Building a Bean House

 

Today is all about learning creative new ways to cooperate and connect with each other and to nature as a family. Join us as  we learn some ways that we can help and remind each other to calm our minds and our bodies through yoga, arts, games, and working and playing outside.

• Parents and children will get to participate  in an  “INTENTION SETTING” workshop using agile learning tools.  By the end of the day we may also learn about “CONFLICT RESOLUTION” using a simple adaptable community mastery board tool.  

• We will also learn a “FORAGING” skill as we go on a nature hike and learn to identify Sassafras and sustainably harvest some sassafras root to make a delicious tea.

• There will be opportunities to “COLLABORATE” in group art projects and other work  on the farm.

• We will work on “COMMUNICATING” as a team.  With the start of the spring season it is a perfect opportunity for us to work together to  build a bean house  and learn about how and why  to plant a traditional Three Sisters plot.

• Mixed in is plenty of time to play, relax, eat, visit the gardens, the goats, the horses, and all of the other animals on the farm.

•  Parents are invited to participate in a special session with Mary Miller Jordan and her team of 'Wild Mustang Guides' This will be a sacred space to explore ways we can connect to our authentic self, what Mary calls our 'Wild I AM. This connection with self is key to a more mindful connection with our children and all others in our life.Parents, this day will hopefully fill your parenting toolbox with new tools and  is full of playful and concrete ways to improve communication as a family.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

​
 

Watchful Wednesday:  Dream Catchers, Weaving Webs, Wildcrafting and Spider Senses

Today  is all about fully exploring our world through all of our senses.  Shoes may come off at some point, taste buds will be activated, our ears may perk up like the donkeys, and we will  be using our powers of observation through yoga, art and games.  

• Our activities and games today will be gearing us  up and honing in our spidey senses for a “NOTICING” Walkabout and scavenger hunt later in the day.

• We will be focusing on our senses of sight, hearing, taste, and smell and how they help us relate to and  “CONNECT” to each other and our environment.

• We will be “WILDCRAFTING” making nature looms and dream catchers.

• There will be opportunities to play, relax, eat, visit the gardens, the goats, the horses, and all of the other animals on the farm.

•  Parents are invited to participate in a special session with Mary Miller Jordan and her team of 'Wild Mustang Guides' This will be a sacred space to explore ways we can connect to our authentic self, what Mary calls our 'Wild I AM. This connection with self is key to a more mindful connection with our children and all others in our life.​ 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

Thoughtful Thursday: Reflection, Rock Painting, Totem Poles and Talking Sticks

Today’s  camp is  all the balance of give and take in life and about slowing down, sharing thoughts and spreading love.  Join us as we learn and practice some ways to calm our minds and bodies through yoga, arts, games and connecting with nature and the animals at the farm.

• We will be painting rocks with beautiful messages to keep or to  “SHARE” and  hide for others to find. There will be a nature walk/treasure hunt of sorts during the day where you may find a beautiful rock from the farm to take home as a keepsake or re-hide as well.

• We will get crafty as we learn about Native American animal spirits and make totem poles that “REFLECT” our own personalities and spirit.

• We will paint and decorate our own family talking sticks as we work on "THOUGHTFUL" communication.

• There will be opportunities to play, relax, eat, visit the gardens, the goats, the horses, and all of the other animals on the farm.

•  Parents are invited to participate in a special session with Mary Miller Jordan and her team of 'Wild Mustang Guides' This will be a sacred space to explore ways we can connect to our authentic self, what Mary calls our 'Wild I AM. This connection with self is key to a more mindful connection with our children and all others in our life.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​
 

Friendship Friday: Fairy Houses,  Felting, Fingerprints,  and our Furry Friends

If you have attended another camp day this week you can bring a friend who hasn’t for free today!

 

 

Join us as we honor what it means to be an individual and explore what it means to be a friend to human and animal alike through words and actions.   We will also be exploring what it means to be a friend to the earth through good practices like recycling and composting and learn to tread a little more softly on our planet.

• We will have fun making wet felted geode balls with layers of colorful wool. Parents will love joining in on this “ECO-FRIENDLY” craft to make a dryer ball as a great alternative  to using toxic dryer sheets in the laundry.

• We will be playing games that celebrate the give and take that makes ”FRIENDSHIP” so special.

• We will explore what makes us each “UNIQUE” as we make art with fingerprints..

• We will have opportunities to make fairy houses as we talk about the ecological and social “FOOTPRINTS” we leave on the earth and each other through our words and actions.

• There will be opportunities to play, relax, eat, visit the gardens, the goats, the horses, and all of the other animals on the farm.

•  Parents are invited to participate in a special session with Mary Miller Jordan and her team of 'Wild Mustang Guides' This will be a sacred space to explore ways we can connect to our authentic self, what Mary calls our 'Wild I AM. This connection with self is key to a more mindful connection with our children and all others in our life.

​