Become an outdoor play champion. expert. advocate.
For adults ready to join a community to give children more mud, freedom, risk, and wonder without doing it alone.
Led by Rusty Keeler, world-renowned natural playscape designer and author.
Do you believe children need more nature and less screen time?
More mud. freedom. mess. play.
If Yes, you're in the right place.
Welcome to Nature Play Academy
For Parents
You're the first nature advocate in their world.
You want to give your children real childhood — the kind with lady bugs, scraped knees, stick collections, and afternoons that feel endless. But between schedules, screens, skeptical family members, and a backyard that isn’t a forest, you’re not always sure how.
- Find nature play ideas for any yard, any budget
- Learn how to navigate pushback from others
- Trust your instincts — and the children
For Educators
You know it matters. Let's deepen the practice.
You open the back door. You let the mud happen. You see children light up when they’re given freedom. But navigating administrators, parents, policies, and a packed schedule leaves you needing real support — not just inspiration.
- Practical ideas to implement this week
- Language and research for advocacy conversations
- A community of educators who truly get it
For Administrators
You have the influence. Let's use it well.
You’re in a position to shift policy, change culture, or shape the environments where children spend their days. You want nature play to be more than a moment — you want it embedded in how your whole organization thinks.
- Build a shared language across your team
- Access research and frameworks that make the case
- Lead a culture shift — not just a program
The Harsh Reality
Do you love nature play but find yourself up against...
A yard with no budget or trees
People who think mud is a hazard
A schedule with no room to get dirty
Colleagues who don't "get it"
A system that doesn't value risky play
The loneliness of caring about something others dismiss
You're not alone.
Whether you have a postage-stamp yard or a forest, five minutes outside or all day — there’s a path forward together.
The Way Forward
is NOT another training or pile of resources.
It's a real path forward.
Designed to help you take Nature Play to the next level.
Bringing nature, freedom, risk, mud, loose parts, and child-led play back into children’s lives is not easy and it doesn’t happen alone or all at once.
It happens one brave YES at a time.
It’s that moment when you pause before saying “be careful” and realize: They’ve got this.
This is how our work grows.
"Rusty doesn't just teach — he shifts how I think!"
Janet — Director, Parks and Recreation
Where You're Headed
Imagine a year from now. This is what changes.
When nature play is supported, practiced, and championed — everyone's world gets bigger.
For Parents
Your home feels like an invitation to play.
- You've stopped apologizing for the muddy boots at the door
- You have words for skeptical family members — and you use them calmly
- Outdoor time isn't something you schedule — it's just how your days go
- You're the parent other parents come to when they want to do more
- You feel the joy of watching children become deeply, messily absorbed
For Educators
Your practice is rooted, confident, and recognized.
- You have a rich vocabulary for explaining risky play to hesitant parents
- Your outdoor environment has evolved — and the children feel it
- You're the one your colleagues ask for guidance
- You're connected to a community that energizes instead of drains you
- You're still learning — and you love that about your practice
For Administrators & Advocates
Nature play is woven into your organization's culture.
- Your team shares a common language — and a common belief
- You've made the case at the policy level, with research to back it up
- New staff come in already understanding why this matters
- Parents trust you more because children are clearly thriving
- You're mentoring the next generation of advocates
For the Children
Their world has grown in the best possible way.
- They know the feeling of cold mud between their fingers
- They take risks, negotiate, and solve problems — outdoors
- They have a relationship with the natural world that will last a lifetime
- They feel trusted — and that changes everything about how they move
- They're building the foundation for resilience, creativity, and wonder
"I love Rusty Keeler! He leads the best professional development trainings I've ever taken, and I've been in the early childhood field for 40 years!!"
Debra M. — Lead Teacher
What Begins to Shift
This is what shifts when you're supported in community...
BEFORE the Academy
- Feeling like you're the only one who “gets it”
- Justifying mud, sticks, and risk to skeptical adults
- Second-guessing your instincts
- Exhausted from navigating pushback alone
- Losing steam when inspiration fades
- Unsure where you are or where you're headed
AFTER — with the Academy
- Rooted in a community that truly does get it
- Speaking about it with language that actually lands
- Trusting yourself — and the children
- Equipped with real strategies and research to support communication
- Carried by a natural rhythm that keeps you growing — nature’s rhythm.
- Moving along a path you can see and feel
Your Path Forward
Gives You a Path to Grow
Wherever you are right now — just beginning, already experimenting, deep in the hard parts, leading others, or thinking about bigger systems change — there is a place for you in this movement.
The Nature Play Growth Path™ helps you find yourself on the journey and understand what kind of support will help you keep going.
is designed to help you stay connected, supported, and moving — month after month.
Seed
I believe this, but I don't know where to begin.
Sprout
I've started, but I need words and confidence.
Sapling
I'm doing it, but I need support through the hard parts.
Tree
I'm experienced and ready for deeper peer conversation.
Forest
I'm thinking about systems change and movement-building.
What Nature Play Academy Is
Think of it as your ongoing support system for outdoor play practice.
Nature Play Academy is NOT:
- A course to complete
- An overwhelming resource library
- A rigid curriculum
- Another social group that fades out
Nature Play Academy IS:
- A journey designed to grow with you over time
- A place to ask questions, get feedback, and keep evolving
- Practical ideas paired with research you can share
- Guided learning rooted in real practice (not just theory)
- Live support from Rusty + a warm, thoughtful community
YOUR FIRST MONTH AS A MEMBER OF NATURE PLAY ACADEMY
After only a few weeks, you can anticipate:
Feeling:
- Less isolated in your beliefs
- More validated in your approach
- More confident responding to risk and mess
- More trusting of children (and yourself!)
The ability to:
- Try small environment changes that invite deeper play
- Observe children's play with fresh curiosity
- Respond differently when parents express worry
- Speak more clearly about why outdoor play matters
- Say YES more often!
Relief with:
- Practical ideas you can use this week
- Research and language for advocacy conversations
- A supportive community that understands your challenges
- A clear growth pathway (not just random tips)
- Renewed energy for this work you love!
"Hearing other educators' real experiences with risky play and mess is incredibly beneficial as I work to expand my own practice!"
Jamie — Preschool Teacher
Inside the Academy
Everything you need to implement Nature Play.
The Monthly Deep Dive
Every month, Rusty goes deep on a new topic — nature play, risky play, mud kitchens, loose parts, and more. Each includes a live session, the full recording, and his teachings pulled out for easy reference.
The Monthly PlayBook
Every Deep Dive comes with a companion PlayBook — a guide built from the session, packed with research, advocacy talking points, and practice prompts for every stage of your growth. Reference it, share it, return to it.
Practice Invitations
This is where the talkin’ becomes the walkin’. Each month brings specific, actionable Practice Invitations designed for where you’re at — whether you’re just starting or deep into your nature play practice.
The Global Community
Connect with educators, parents, and play advocates worldwide. Share photos, celebrate what’s working, ask the questions you can’t ask anywhere else, and find your people — the ones who get it the way you do.
"What Would Rusty Say About My Yard?"
During each live call, Rusty reviews member submissions. Send photos of your outdoor space ahead of time, and he’ll look at them live — real, specific coaching for the yard and resources you actually have. No generic advice.
Exclusive Access to Rusty
Each month, Rusty opens a few 30-minute 1:1 calls — just you and him, on whatever you want. Your yard. Your program. A challenge you’re facing. Direct access to a 35-year play expert that doesn’t exist anywhere else.
Professional Development Hours
Each month, earn 2 Professional Development Hours and receive a certificate to document them. Stay current, stay credentialed, and do it inside a community that actually inspires you.
The Archives
Nothing here disappears! Every Deep Dive, every PlayBook, every bit of research and resource we’ve built together — it all lives here, growing month by month, yours to revisit whenever you need it. Come back to something from a year ago. It’ll still be waiting.
Plus, these bonuses are included for those who join our membership community today!
Rusty's Fun Films Collection
Rusty's Most Cherished Resources
The Rhythm
How it Works Inside the Academy
Nature Play Academy isn’t about keeping up or doing things perfectly. It’s about learning slowly, practicing gently, and growing naturally.
A Simple Monthly Rhythm to Help You Make Progress
01
Discover
Why does mud matter? How do you build a willow hut? Learn how to do it, why it matters, and how it changes children.
02
Try
Experiment with new ideas in your own space — backyard, outdoor classroom, or playscape. Small changes. Real results. Watch what children do when you say yes to mud and sticks. (Invitations, never requirements.)
03
Observe
Notice how children negotiate risk. How they use loose parts. What they do when nobody tells them what to do. You’ll start to see things you never noticed before — and the real learning begins.
04
Connect
Share what’s working in your space. Get support when you’re making big changes. Celebrate what the children are discovering. These are your people — the excitement is real!
05
Grow
You’ll know you’re growing because you’ll see it — in the children. The magical moments you start to notice, name, and understand. When you start seeing them clearly, you’ll know you’re growing.
Your pace is the perfect pace.
Join the Academy
Everything You Need to Go Deeper, Do More, and Play Bigger
Best Value!
$290
/per year*
GET 2 MONTHS FREE!
Your rate is locked in as long as you remain a member.
All payment plans include:
- The Monthly Deep Dive — live session, full recording, and teachings
- The Monthly PlayBook — research, advocacy tools, and practice prompts
- Practice Invitations — actionable steps for every stage of your growth path
- The Global Community — educators and play advocates from around the world
- "What Would Rusty Say About My Yard?" — personalized coaching, live
- Exclusive Access to Rusty — limited 1:1 spots each month
- Professional Development Hours — 2 hours + certificate every month
- The Archive — every month's content, yours to keep
- BONUS: Rusty's Fun Films Collection
- BONUS: Rusty's Most Cherished Resources
Need memberships for 3 or more staff?
We’ve got you covered — click here for group discount options.
"Rusty is a great group leader! I love how comfy and safe Rusty makes it, and how easily the group conversations flow."
Barbara — Early Childhood Educator
Your Guide
Hi, I'm Rusty!
For nearly 35 years, I’ve worked alongside educators, parents, children, and communities exploring how play, nature, risk, and freedom shape childhood. I’ve designed natural play environments around the world, written books about risky play, and led trainings on loose parts internationally.
Here’s what you need to know: I have so many stories. Pictures from a thousand play spaces. Lessons learned from decades of watching children do their best work outdoors. And I love sharing all of it.
But Nature Play Academy isn’t about following my way — it’s about helping you discover your way, with support, community, and care.
"I love Rusty's calm, grounded teaching style. He makes risky play feel possible, achievable, and supportive — not overwhelming — when you approach it the way he teaches."
Stephanie — Mom
"Rusty breaks everything down in a way that sparks ideas and possibility. His live sessions are always amazing — he answers every question thoughtfully and truly makes it feel one-on-one. A wonderful learning experience all around!"
James — Kindergarten Teacher
Questions You Might be Asking
Things people often wonder about.
Is Nature Play Academy a course?
Nope. Nature Play Academy is a membership journey, not a course to complete.
There’s no fixed start or finish, no required order, and no pressure to keep up.
Think of it as a place you return to — again and again — as your confidence and curiosity grow.
Who is this for?
Nature Play Academy is for anyone who cares deeply about children, play, and the natural world — parents, educators, playworkers, trainers, designers, advocates, administrators, and more.
People join at different stages — from just beginning to deeply experienced — and grow along their own path.
What if I'm brand new to nature play or risky play?
You’re welcome here.
You don’t need special training, perfect spaces, or prior experience. Curiosity and care are enough.
Nature Play Academy includes gentle introductions, simple ideas, and plenty of reassurance — with no expectation to do everything at once.
What if I'm already doing this well?
Then this is a place to stay inspired and keep growing.
Many experienced practitioners use Nature Play Academy as:
– A space for reflection
– A place to exchange ideas with peers
– A source of fresh perspective
– A way to recharge enthusiasm
You don’t outgrow this work — your questions simply evolve.
What if I don't have a big outdoor space?
Nature Play Academy works with ANY space — backyards, urban courtyards, small playgrounds, or public parks.
You’ll see examples from cramped city programs to expansive forest schools.
It’s not about the size of your space — it’s about your approach.
How much time does this take each month?
That’s up to you.
Some months you might watch a few sessions, join a live conversation, and try a small idea.
Other months, you might simply listen, observe, and stay loosely connected.
There’s no expectation to do everything. You choose how deeply you engage.
1-2 hours of new content and conversations are available each month (plus the full library of archived resources).
What if I'm worried about liability or getting in trouble?
You’ll get clear language and research to help communicate with administrators, parents, and regulators.
Many members use what they learn here to actually change policies at their programs.
You’ll have the tools to advocate confidently.
Is this only for educators, or can parents join too?
Both!
Parents, teachers, directors, playworkers, designers, advocates — anyone who cares about children’s outdoor play is welcome.
The learning works for backyard parents AND professional educators.
Are live sessions required?
No.
Live sessions are always optional and recorded.
Join live when you can, or watch recordings later.
Can I ask Rusty questions directly?
Absolutely!
All members can:
– Ask questions during live sessions
– Submit photos or descriptions of their yards for feedback
– Join 1:1 tea time conversations when available for extra connections and support
Is this research-based?
Yes!
Inside Nature Play Academy, you’ll find:
– Current research on outdoor play, risky play, loose parts, and nature connections
– Clear talking points for conversations with parents, colleagues, administrators, or regulators
– Language you can adapt for trainings, presentations, and advocacy
Can I use what I learn in my work with others?
Absolutely. Many members bring ideas, language, and resources from the Academy into:
classrooms and programs
parent conversations
staff meetings and trainings
workshops, talks, and presentations
This is a place to grow both your practice AND your influence.
What if I join and realize it's not the right fit?
You can cancel anytime — no pressure and no hard feelings.
How long will I have access?
You have access for as long as you’re a member.
(Founding Members keep their low Founding Member rate for as long as they remain active!)
You belong here
You don't have to walk this path alone.
If you believe children deserve time, freedom, and real connection to the natural world…
If you’re ready to deepen your practice with confidence and community…
If you want to make the world a more playful, joyful place…
You are welcome here.
Grow your confidence. Strengthen your practice. Find your people.
