A year at Wild Child
Dandelion Wildschooling
Calendar & Rhythm
Reimagining school, childhood, and the way we live.
At Wild Child, our calendar is shaped by rhythm, relationship, and the living cycles of this land.
Based in Nosara, Costa Rica, we follow the seasons of place while remaining aligned with U.S. and European school calendars, allowing families to enter, pause, and return with greater ease.
Wild Child has been open consistently for nearly four years — year-round, with reliability and continuity at the heart of what we offer. Unlike many seasonal programs in Nosara, we remain committed through both the vibrant Peak Season and the quieter Green Season, closing only for a few national holidays or in rare moments of very low registration.
This continuity allows children and families to experience something increasingly rare today: a living community that remains rooted, steady, and present through the changing rhythms of the year.
Nosara moves through two great seasons
Peak Season / Dry Season
November 1 – April 30
This is the vibrant, expansive season of Nosara. Families arrive from around the world, the community grows, and the town becomes alive with creativity, movement, gatherings, and cultural exchange.
During these months, Wild Child expands into multiple distinct groups with a larger team of specialist educators, artists, musicians, movement teachers, and guides. The energy is dynamic, collaborative, and outward-facing.
Green Season / Rainy Season
May 1 – October 31
While much of the world calls it the rainy season, we call it the Green Season because this is when everything grows.
The jungle deepens into green. Rivers return to life. Gardens flourish. The pace of Nosara softens. And so do we.
During these months, Wild Child becomes slower, quieter, more intimate, and deeply rooted in creativity, nature connection, and community life. Group sizes become smaller, and we often move toward a more unified mixed-age experience rather than highly separated age divisions.
This season invites depth over speed. Presence over performance.
Rather than resisting the rhythms of the land, we attune ourselves to them.
A year rooted in rhythm
Beyond the two major seasons of Nosara, the year unfolds through:
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four seasonal pedagogical rhythms,
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the cycles of the moon,
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and the subtle qualities carried by each day of the week.
This creates a learning environment that feels alive, responsive, and deeply attuned.
We welcome both short-term visiting families and longer-term families seeking continuity, belonging, and deeper immersion in one of the most biodiverse and culturally rich places on Earth.
Season of Lights
November 1st to December 31st
(Peak season)
Celebration • Culture • Imagination • Togetherness
This is a season of beauty, story, and shared meaning.
We honor different traditions from around the world and invite children into ritual, imagination, music, and celebration.
A season of wonder, culture,
and shared humanity.
Season of Standing Tall
January 1st to April 30th
(Peak season)
Growth • Leadership • Collective care
During peak season, we welcome creative energies from around the world.
This is a time of expansion, confidence, collaboration, and connection to the ocean. Children are invited into expression, initiative, and leadership.
A season of growth, courage,
and standing tall.
Season of First Rains
May 1st to Mid-August
(Green season)
Incubation • Regeneration • Renewal
We wait for the first rains almost impatiently.
After the dry season, the land softens, the air cools, and life begins again. This is a season of incubation, plant propagation, and renewal.
Low season invites us to root more deeply into Costa Rica, Spanish language, local culture and ecology. We spend even more time outdoors, plant, create, play muisc, and dance under the rain.
A season of belonging, creativity, and quiet transformation.
Season of Rooting
Mid-August to October 31st
(Green season)
Arrival • Grounding • Belonging • Connection
As the land is lush and alive, we begin by slowing down.
This is a season of settling in, building trust, and rooting into place. We deepen our connection to Costa Rica, pura vida, and the sensory richness of the natural world, while nurturing belonging within our international community.
A foundation of
grounding and connection.
Lunar Rhythm
We move in relationship with the moon.
New Moon
A time for beginnings—new stories, new projects, new menu, and new rhythms within the group.
Waxing Moon
A time for building, exploring, and deepening experiences.
Full Moon
A time for gathering, sharing, and celebration.
We may come together for group moments, family gatherings, or community rituals.
Waning Moon
A time for slowing down, reflecting, and integrating.
This phase often invites parent–teacher connection, reflections on the children’s journey, and quieter family touchpoints.
Weekly Rythm
Each day of the week carries a different quality, inspired by planetary rhythms:
Monday — Moon
Belonging, emotions, mindfulness
Tuesday — Mars
Boundaries, courage, physical expression
Wednesday — Mercury
Communication, language, collaboration
Thursday — Jupiter
Perspective, wisdom, expansion
Friday — Venus
Creativity, beauty, celebration
Program flow through the year
Ages 1–4
Ages 5–8
Ages 9-13
Families can join for:
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short stays
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weekly enrollment
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seasonal enrollment
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longer-term rhythm
Beyond the Playgarden
Wild Child also extends beyond our daily program.
We offer:
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customized childcare for retreats and events
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curated family experiences
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immersive seasonal programs
