Wiggins, Brenda PHerold, Samantha2017-12-212022-05-17https://hdl.handle.net/1920/10861This thesis has been embargoed for 5 years. It will not be available until May 2022 at the earliest.There has been a big push to bring children, mainly preschool age children, outdoors so that they can learn the importance of the environment. Many studies have been designed to help understand the significance of nature-based programs and the benefits children can receive. A few studies, however, have been conducted to interpret exactly what families want out of a nature-based program for their children. This research project has been designed to create a manual that can be used to assist school personnel in the development of nature-based preschool programs. This project delves into how nature-based preschool programs may benefit the children in the long-term and to help the public to comprehend exactly what a nature-based preschool program is. The research for the manual was prepared through questions asked of local nature-based programs sent via email.The results and journal were then created as tools to be used when preparing to open a nature-based preschool program.enNature-based programsNature-based preschoolOutdoor explorationOutdoor organizationsNature journalNature-based preschool manualThesis