About Us

Nature Pals began by accident—but quickly grew into something truly special.

While taking the Tidewater Master Naturalist course, I learned that a project was required to graduate. I jumped in headfirst: I partnered with Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, wrote a full curriculum, found a welcoming venue at Princess Anne Public Library, and started teaching our first classes.

As it turns out, I didn’t actually have to complete the project—just submit a proposal. But by then, it was too late… Nature Pals was already taking root. The classes were full, waitlists were growing, and families kept asking for more.

With an amazing business partner - my husband - we turned this unexpected passion into a small business and reached out to the Virginia Beach Recreation Centers. They believed in the program and agreed to partner with us—opening the door for even more children and families to connect with the natural world.

Nature Pals was born from a real need. As a mom, I struggled to find a nature-based class I could enjoy with my 5-year-old—something outdoors, secular, and built around wonder, learning, and connection. That’s the heart of Nature Pals: a place where kids (and their grown-ups) can explore, play, and fall in love with the world around them.

We’re so glad you’re here. Let’s grow together.