🌿 The Rhythm of Nature

A free summer program blending African drumming, garden education, and wellness for middle school youth

🎵 Saturdays from 9am-3:30pm | July 12, July 26, August 2, & August 23, 2025
Free & open to the middle schoolers age 8-12.

Overview

The Rhythm of Nature is an immersive, hands-on workshop series hosted in the historic Beatrix Farrand Garden at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site. This unique program connects middle school youth with music, movement, and environmental learning to foster personal growth, cultural awareness, and a lifelong appreciation of nature.

Program Highlights

• 🌱 Mindfulness & Movement – Grounding sessions led by dance instructor Nick Jackson

• 🪘 African Drumming – Taught by renowned percussionist Baba Kazi

• 🌼 Garden Education – Interactive ecology and plant lessons with classroom educator Pamela Brown

• 🫂 Community & Reflection – Included Group lunch, creative expression, and peer bonding

Program Structure

All-Day Saturday Sessions | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

• July Dates: July 12 & July 26

• August Dates: August 2 & August 23

☀️ Drop off between 8:45 and 9:00 AM, 3:00 PM showcase
🌱 Flexible Participation: Join for one Saturday or the full cycle — whatever fits your family best!
👥 Small Group Format: Limited to 25 participants per cycle
🥗 Free to Participate – All materials and lunch included
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Showcase wraps up each session
🌦️ Rain or shine — in case of rain, the program will move to a nearby covered space

📘 Sample Daily Schedule:

• 8:45–9:00 AM — Arrival & Name Badges at Home Base

• 9:00–9:10 AM — Gentle Mindful Movement to Start the Day

• 9:10–9:50 AM — 🌟 Session 1 (Break into small groups for Gardening or Drumming )

• 9:50–10:00 AM — Water & Rest Break at Home Base

• 10:00–10:40 AM — 🌿 Session 2 (Break into small groups for Gardening or Drumming )

• 10:40–10:50 AM — Mindful Re-centering

• 10:50–11:00 AM — Home Base Break

• 11:00–11:40 AM — 🎶 Session 3 (Break into small groups for Gardening or Drumming )

• 11:40–11:50 AM — Mindful Movement

• 11:50–12:20 PM — 🍎 Lunch

• 12:20–1:00 PM — 🌼 Session 4 (Break into small groups for Gardening or Drumming )

• 1:00–1:10 PM — Home Base

• 1:10–1:20 PM — Mindful Re-centering

• 1:20–2:00 PM — 🌱 Session 5 (Break into small groups for Gardening or Drumming )

• 2:00–2:10 PM — Water Break at Home Base

• 2:10–2:50 PM — 🐝 Session 6 (Break into small groups for Gardening or Drumming )

• 2:50–3:00 PM — Final Mindful Pause & Prep for Showcase

• 3:00–3:30 PM — 🎉 Family & Friends Showcase

Meet the Instructors

Nick Jackson

A hip hop dance instructor with 7+ years of experience, Nicholas helps youth express themselves through movement and rhythm. He also brings 4 years of African drumming experience to enrich the program's musical foundation.

Baba Kazi

A master drummer with over 50 years of experience, Baba Kazi teaches with deep respect for African tradition. His inspiring personal story of resilience adds power and purpose to every beat.

Pamela Brown

BFGA Executive Director and classroom educator, Pamela blends her expertise in landscape architecture, curriculum design, and environmental stewardship to deliver meaningful, nature-based learning.

Why Here?

The Beatrix Farrand Garden is a special place to host this program because it reflects the ideas of its original designer, Beatrix Farrand — the first professional woman landscape architect in the U.S. Farrand believed gardens should be places where people can connect with nature in a thoughtful and personal way. Her designs were meant to engage the senses and create space for reflection, learning, and enjoyment.

The Rhythm of Nature continues that spirit by offering music, movement, and art activities in the garden — encouraging kids and families to be creative, curious, and grounded in the natural world. It’s a great space to slow down, try something new, and enjoy time outdoors together.

Our garden is a living classroom in the heart of the Hudson River Valley. Located on the grounds of the FDR National Historic Site, the garden links past and present, landscape and legacy.

Enroll

Sign up below to request a spot in The Rhythm of Nature, a free Saturday program for children and families featuring music, movement, art, and lunch in the Beatrix Farrand Garden.

Drop-off is between 8:45 and 9:00 AM, and families are invited to return by 3:00 PM for the end-of-day showcase.

Submitting this form does not guarantee enrollment — we’ll follow up by email to confirm your spot with an additional registration form or add you to the waitlist.

Space is limited — thank you for your interest!

Get Involved

Want to volunteer or support the program?
📩 Contact us at hello@bfgahydepark.org
💚 Support the program with a donation