Curiosity gathered here

Covey is now paused indefinitely.

We are not currently meeting or accepting enrollment, and there is no scheduled restart date. We’re so glad you joined us.

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Three friends discover life among the leaf litter on a recent nature play walk along Rio Grande Bosque, in Albuquerque, New Mexico

At Covey, we trusted children to notice what mattered to them and to follow it with care, curiosity, and joy!

Learning unfolded from relational safety and the freedom to explore and connect. Our days together were shaped by listening—to ourselves, to one another, and to the world around us. At its heart, this isn’t a program. It’s all of us working together to build the type of community we want for the world – a community built on trust, radical love, freedom, and shared responsibility.

See What a day held

Why pay for play?

10:00–10:15 | Arrival + Settling In

Families arrive and ease into the space—there’s time to say hello, check in, and find a rhythm. Young people might explore the area, observe, or jump into conversation or play.

A welcome table with offerings of tea, nature journals, or sensory invitations like watercolors, pinecones, or clay.

10:15–10:35 | Morning Circle

We gather to ground ourselves and set intentions for the day. Young people and adults are invited to share what they’re curious about, what they hope to do, or simply how they’re feeling. All participants can request or offer activities. We may also decide on group agreements, or talk through logistics like weather or boundaries.

This is our shared starting point—anchored in choice, presence, and consent.

10:35–11:30 | Open Exploration + Offerings

Young people are free to follow their interests—climbing trees, building shelters, drawing, creating, asking questions, resting, or inventing group games. Facilitators, parents, and young people may offer simple invitations like:

A book club discussing a favorite series while collaging fan art
Nature scavenger hunts
Nature building or survival skills
Making mud pies, tending a garden, creating recycled sculptures
Plant or insect identification
Quiet rest zones or reading corners

We create our days together.

11:30–12:00 | Invitation to Lunch

We invite everyone to eat lunch if they haven’t already been snacking and eating throughout the day. We remind each other to wash hands, nourish, and hydrate.

12:00–2:30 | Continued Play, Projects, and Collaboration

Adults might co-create with the young people, join in their world-building, or simply observe and support from the edges.

2:30–3:00 | Transition + Farewells

We invite all to snack, hydrate, and begin cleaning up. Facilitators assess whether a Closing Circle to debrief the day would be beneficial.

Why would I pay for my kids to play all day?

Play, connection, and community were at the heart of Covey—and creating a space where they could thrive took care and commitment.

Having seen many volunteer-led communities come and go, we understood how often the quiet work of culture-building fell to just a few people. Our team helped carry that work—resolving conflicts, supporting inclusion, welcoming families, and tending shared agreements—with consistency, skill, and love.

We worked to make Covey accessible, including through financial aid, and cherished the community we built together. We still believe in a future where community care is woven into daily life.

Covey is now paused indefinitely. We are not currently offering programs or financial aid, and there is no scheduled restart date.

Thank you for being
part of this story

At Covey, we shared a learning journey rooted in curiosity, connection, care, and freedom. Together, we created a space where each person’s voice and pace were honored. We cherished our time together and are grateful for everyone who was part of it.

Take a closer look

A learning community rooted in self-direction, nature connection, and trust—where curiosity leads the way.

hello@coveynm.org

Rio Rancho
New Mexico, 87144

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