Early Childhood Outdoor Classroom
Christopher Hibbard | ViewPoints 2024–2025
In late August of 2024, Pine Point officially opened our new Early Childhood Outdoor Classroom. This classroom was the result of a complete renovation of the outdoor space that surrounds the DeMovick Early Childhood Center. What was previously known as the preschool playground has become a multifaceted and multiuse classroom focused on our youngest learners, and with aspects to serve all our students. The creation of this learning area was a true Pine Point collaboration that emerged from discussions and work with students, faculty, parents, parents of alumni, and playground designers.
This classroom manifests the spirit of education at Pine Point and fully embraces our mission. It includes outdoor meeting and performance areas, a labyrinth, a hill for climbing and sliding, a weather station, art and music stations, a sensory garden, a pollinator garden, and many play elements all manufactured primarily of wood. The entire area was also thoughtfully planted with native plants that future generations of students will care for and learn about in our curriculum.
The creation of the new Early Childhood Outdoor Classroom was made possible by many donations from our faithful community. However, the driving force, and the major donor for this project, was Kim Dreier, parent of John Rick ’12, Julianna Rick ’14, and Jamison Rick ’18. The generous philanthropy of Kim, along with The Eleanor Kagi Foundation–A Lynn M. Bennett Legacy (which Kim helps direct) has supported numerous projects at Pine Point over many years. Kim also gives her time and talent as a parent volunteer, helping out in the classroom, and has also served on our Board of Trustees. In 2014, Kim received the Steven M. Castle Distinguished Service Award, which honored her deep commitment to Pine Point and its mission. Kim can still be found on campus attending our Evergreen Adult Open Art Studio class or volunteering as a substitute, and it was through this work that she was inspired to help create a new play space and classroom to serve our young students.
