Our Yurts

One of the many unique aspects of The Riveredge School is the classrooms used by our second grade and third/fourth grade classes. Inspired by the success of using yurts as classrooms in a nature-based learning environment at Juniper Hill School in Maine, Riveredge Nature Center erected two yurts to serve not only the school classes (during the school year) but also camps and other learning groups during the summer.

The construction of the yurts was experiential learning adventure! It was quickly discovered that yurts are quite a novelty in southeastern Wisconsin! The yurts arrived aboard an enclosed semi-truck and in many pieces from the Colorado Yurt Company. Although a slightly daunting task, thanks to an incredible group of volunteers and willing staff, both yurts were standing after only 5 days of hard work.

The yurts will serve as classrooms for approximately the next two years while fundraising is complete for a new Education Center at the nature center. This critical, new facility will host not only The Riveredge School, but also serve as, quite literally, the center for education for Riveredge Nature Center’s adult and youth programs.

Once completed, folks started to arrive to see the yurts. It sure is fun to see all the positive reactions from students, families, and the community. After viewing this “UFO” looking structures, the next curiosity is always the inside. Yes, although The Riveredge School is designed to use the outdoors as its learning environment for the vast majority of each day, indoor spaces certainly serve a purpose as well. From rainstorms, to a respite from the cold throughout the day, to a physical “homebase” for student and teacher supplies, it’s always nice to have a home to come to, when needed, during a busy day of learning outdoors. The fully insulated yurts have full electricity, a ceiling fan, and propane heater. And, of course, there’s operable windows, a dome that lifts for ventilation, and two exit doors.

Adjacent to the yurts is a hammock village for all classes to use. Twenty hammocks await students for reading, lunch time, resting, or anything in between.

Yurts come from traditional Mongolian herders and are not permanent structures. Even our yurts can be taken down and erected in a different location, if desired. They provide a fun way to learn about geometry, physics, and engineering. Come visit them sometime! They are located just southeast of the Visitor Center at Riveredge Nature Center. We think you’ll find them pretty neat too!