Welcome to The Empathy Garden: A Forest School Kindergarten in Dripping Springs, TX

At The Empathy Garden, we offer a nature-immersive, play-based learning experience for children aged 3-6, fostering resilient, empathetic, and curious young minds. Our all-weather outdoor classroom is set in the lush, biodynamic environment of Hamilton Pool Farms, where children are encouraged to connect deeply with nature, themselves, and each other.

Our Mission:

We are committed to cultivating kind and capable future stewards of our Earth. By encouraging children to trust their primal inner knowing, we aim to develop lifelong connections with nature through child-led learning and free play in a natural setting.

Our Philosophy:

At The Empathy Garden, we believe in the power of nature-based education. In today's fast-paced world, children need time and space to experience slow growth. Our program emphasizes child autonomy, inquiry-based learning, and emergent curriculum inspired by the children themselves. By allowing children to explore the world around them through play, they develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and resilience—all necessary for navigating a rapidly changing future.

Program Highlights:

  • 100% outdoor, rain or shine: Our children spend their entire day immersed in nature, learning through play in all types of weather.

  • Nonviolent communication and reflective listening: We use compassionate communication methods to foster empathy and emotional intelligence.

  • Small class sizes: With our intimate group setting, we ensure personalized attention and a close-knit learning community.

  • Place-based education: Children engage with the natural environment around them, developing a deep respect for the land and its ecosystems.

  • Emergent curriculum: Our curriculum evolves based on the interests and explorations of the children, encouraging self-directed learning and curiosity-driven activities.

Join us at The Empathy Garden to give your child the gift of nature immersion and the tools to become a compassionate and resilient leader of tomorrow.

.