Mission & Vision
At Apple Blossom Village, we are restoring and sustaining human connection to the land, to one another, and to ourselves.
Through joyful nature experiences and hands-on learning, we cultivate creativity, critical thinking, resilience, and meaningful relationships with the natural world. We believe children thrive when given the freedom to explore, imagine, create, and learn outdoors.
As a community-minded nature school, we offer a variety of screen-free outdoor programs for children, families, and educators. Our programs encourage imagination, problem-solving, collaboration, and a deep sense of belonging in both nature and community.
The future of humanity and the health of our planet depend on meaningful relationships—with the land, with each other, and with the generations to come.
Leave your devices behind and experience the joy of the natural world at Apple Blossom Village. Our Nature School offers year-round outdoor immersion with winterized yurts serving as classrooms throughout the seasons. Children spend their days exploring, learning, creating, and connecting with the natural world in all kinds of weather.
Listen to an interview about US on the Global Grit Experience Podcast
“Dacia Dauner built an outdoor nature school in Bemidji, MN. Picture a combo of a twenty-something below winter and kids in cozy yurts for classrooms…. and you have Apple Blossom Nature School. She (and the kids and other teachers) have GRiT! Dacia Dauner is the founder of Apple Blossom Village, a micro-school that provides nature-based programs for kids, families, and the community year-round.”
Build the Next Yurt
Help us create another cozy gathering space where children can learn, explore, and thrive outdoors in every season.
GiFT a Chance to Attend
Contribute to our scholarship fund and help make nature-based education accessible to more families in our community.
Give the Gift of Nature
Treat someone you love to outdoor adventures, creativity, and joyful learning with an Apple Blossom Village gift card.
Location & CONTACT
We share outdoor learning space with Rail River Folk School on the shores of Lake Irving and the Mississippi River in Bemidji, Minnesota.
Land Acknowledgement
Apple Blossom Village is located in Mni Sota Makoce (Minnesota), the traditional homeland of the Dakota and Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) peoples. We express gratitude for this land and honor the Dakota and Ojibwe as its original stewards and protectors.