top of page

WONDER→ DISCOVER→ CONNECT

Experiential Nature-based, Outdoor, Environmental Education Programs in the Greater Cincinnati Area
OH! Wild Wonder, LLC is a social venture dedicated to enhancing the lives of area youth
by deepening their connection with the natural world.
Our goal is to offer accessible youth-oriented nature-immersion programs for children of all ages in diverse natural landscapes within a 50-mile radius of Cincinnati.
OH! Wild Wonder offers seasonal day camps, after-school clubs, and special events!
nature-immersion-benefits

Why Nature Immersion?

Discover the benefits

A Walk in Nature
Attention and Focus

Even a 20-minute walk in nature has been shown to promote focus and memory support. "Green" activities have better attention-related results than any other indoor activity used to increase focus in children. In fact, researchers have found that a "dose of nature" works just as well as a "dose of medicine" for children with ADHD.

Sensory Integration

Nature provides a comprehensive sensory experience that pediatric occupational therapists assert underline a host of vestibular balance issues and related challenges. Building forts, walking on logs, making mud pies, swinging on vines, feeling cold creek water, and stepping on pebbles and clay engage a wide array of senses.

Reduce Anxiety

Growing research indicates that nature immersion is the antidote for stress in children and adults. This movement, called eco-therapy, asserts that nature "baths" reduce blood pressure and heart rate and stimulate the immune system, promoting feelings of calm and relaxation.

Strength, Agility, Coordination

Development Coordination Disorder, an impairment in age-appropriate motor skills, is highly comorbid with other developmental disorders, most commonly ADHD. Studies have found that movement exercises done outside have better results than the same movements in a gym or urban setting in acquiring and executing developmental skills in coordination and balance. The natural movements of "wilderness play" facilitate healthy motor skills in a fun, low-pressure way. 

Ecological Awareness

By developing a connection with nature, children grow into adults who innately revere the natural world and are drawn to ecological efforts by way of meaningful experiences. The philosophy of OH! Wild Wonder is that lessons must be born of experiential connection before intellect-based environmental education can be effective.

Sense of Self and Place

A sense of place comes from a feeling of connectedness to a specific geographic area. Through interactions with the environment and each other, children develop geo-literacy skills, become empowered, and see themselves as capable social beings.

Our Leaders

Our WILD Leaders

D2226DF9-0937-4FC5-A692-9C802109D43A.JPG

Vivian Melody

Founder|Outdoor Educator

Vivian Melody has been the founder and educator at OH! Wild Wonder, LLC in Cincinnati, OH since 2015, and prior in central Missouri as The Wild Wonder Project since 2012. Vivian's life passion is connecting communities with nature, spreading ecological awareness, and helping others become life-long stewards of the earth. She has led various nature-based programs since 2006 and served as a lead Waldorf teacher in St. Louis and Cincinnati between 2014-2021. Vivian is currently Associate Director of Communications for NatureVest at The Nature Conservancy, and resides in a rehabbed cottage in Covington where she tends to two teenagers, two dogs, and too many houseplants.

Training and credentials: Vivian holds a BA in Communications, MA in Education and Waldorf Grades Teacher Certification, and a Professional Science Master in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. She is also a LEED - Green Associate, ISSP - Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA), NAI - Certified Interpreter Guide, and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist.

Upcoming Events

programs-events
Photo-gallery

Past Events

Photo Gallery

Memberships  

naaee-logo.png
KAEE-logo-Color.png-KAEE+logo+Color.png
GU_Brandmark_Full Color.png
EECO logo.jpg

Past Collaborations  

60449.jpg
waldorf_logo_horizontal-1-768x454.png.we
LSH-Full-Opacity-Background-web.png
GWORV_logo_300dpi_transparent.png

Little Duck Creek Task Force of Madisonville

Contact us

Thanks! We will reply within 2 business days. Sit tight!

Contact

Contact
  • Facebook - Grey Circle
bottom of page