We use outdoor play-based groups to help meet your child’s occupational therapy goals.

Our play-based groups support sensory-seeking, deep-feeling, differently-wired children and the grownups who love them.

Start by filling out a short interest form. We’ll guide you from there.

  • New to Thrive Outside? Start Here:

    Before enrolling in a group, all new families complete a mini-assessment and parent consultation. This helps us get to know your child, understand their unique needs, and recommend the group setting that will offer the best support and experience.

    Request Mini Assessment

  • Returning Family? Welcome Back!

    If your child has previously participated in one of our groups, you can skip the assessment and head straight to enrollment.

    Choose your preferred group

    Pay your deposit

    We’ll reach out to confirm your child’s spot

    Choose Your Group

Is a group right for my child right now?

Every child is different — and we want to help you feel confident about your next step.

If you're wondering whether one of our outdoor therapy groups is the right fit, this self-assessment can help. It only takes a minute and can bring clarity and peace of mind.

  • ✅ Self-Assessment: Is an outdoor therapy group a good fit for my child right now?

    Check all that feel true — there are no wrong answers.

    🌿 My child:

    • ☐ Struggles with regulation (big energy, big emotions, frequent meltdowns or shutdowns)

    • ☐ Is sensitive to sensory input (like loud noises, messy hands, or bright lights) — or constantly seeking it (movement, crashing, touching everything)

    • ☐ Has a hard time with transitions, flexibility, or unexpected changes

    • ☐ Wants to connect with other kids but struggles with how to start or keep it going

    • ☐ Seems overwhelmed in typical group settings like school, camp, or organized sports

    • ☐ Communicates differently — through play, movement, gestures, or few/no words

    • ☐ Often needs extra support to feel safe or confident in their body and in social settings

    • ☐ Thrives in nature — or you suspect they would, if given the right structure and support

    • ☐ Benefits from clear rhythms, predictable routines, and playful invitations rather than pressure

    • ☐ Is a deep feeler, a sensory-seeker, a wiggle-lover — or a combination of all three

    💬 And you, the parent or caregiver, might:

    • ☐ Be looking for support that honors your child’s nervous system and unique pace

    • ☐ Feel like you’re constantly “translating” the world for your child — and wishing others saw what you see

    • ☐ Be exhausted from trying to make your child “fit” into settings that weren’t designed for them

    • ☐ Want a space where your child can play, move, and connect without being shamed for how they show up

    🚩 Group participation may not be the best fit right now if your child:

    • ☐ Has a current pattern of eloping (running away) from caregivers or activities in outdoor spaces

    • ☐ Is experiencing frequent, intense aggression toward other children or adults

    • ☐ Has very limited capacity to separate from a caregiver, even with support

    • ☐ Needs 1:1 adult support for most activities in order to stay safe or engaged

    • ☐ Is currently in a high level of distress that would make group participation overwhelming or dysregulating

    💡 That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your child.
    It simply means a smaller, more contained environment — like individual OT — may be a safer and more supportive starting point.

    We’re happy to talk it through and help you decide.

Why Choose Outdoor Kids Groups?

Our groups are perfect for children who might:

  • Need help with social skills or making friends

  • Experience challenges with emotional regulation

  • Have diagnoses like autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or developmental delays

  • Benefit from building physical coordination and strength

Through activities like hiking, fort-building, and nature exploration, your child will develop:

  • Emotional control

  • Problem-solving abilities

  • Adaptability and cooperation

  • Confidence and focus

  • Balance, strength, and endurance

  • Gross and fine motor skills

  • Sensory integration

  • Risk assessment and safety awareness.

Thrive Outside’s Social Groups

  • 🌿 Fern Explorers (Ages 4–7)

    For kids who love to explore but need support with flexibility, turn-taking, and emotional regulation.

  • 🤸🏻‍♂️ Mini-Groups

    Shorter commitment, same support! A low-pressure way to try out outdoor therapy.

  • 🏕️ Oak Adventurers (Ages 8–11)

    For kids ready to level up their independence, resilience, and leadership outdoors.

  • 🌸 Orchids (Mixed Age)

    Gentle support for sensitive kids or internal processors who need more time to warm up.

Register for a Group

 FAQs

  • The mini-assessment gives us a chance to get to know your child’s strengths, needs, and personality so we can recommend the best fit. It also helps us make sure our groups feel safe, connected, and supportive for everyone involved.
    (Think of it like matching kids with the right trail — not too steep, not too boring, just right for their pace.)

  • That’s exactly the kind of kid we designed this for.
    Our therapists are trained to support children who need extra help feeling safe in social settings. We’ll never force participatio. Instead, we meet each child where they are and offer structure, sensory support, and playful invitations to connect at their own pace.

  • Great question. Here’s a simple breakdown:

    • Group OT supports social learning, sensory regulation, and relationship-building in an outdoor setting with other kids.

    • Individual OT is a 1:1 session focused on your child’s unique goals, with more direct therapist support.

    Not sure what’s right? That’s what the mini-assessment is for — we’ll talk it through together.

  • Most groups are designed for kids within 3 years of each other: such as 3.5-7, 7-10, 8-11 but we look at more than just age. Developmental stage, sensory needs, and social readiness help us create a good group mix.

    Have a teen or toddler? Reach out! We sometimes run specialty groups or have partner referrals to share.

  • We’ll follow up with a recommendation and let you know what group options are available. If we don’t have a current fit, we’ll offer next steps, like a future season placement or a 1:1 OT spot if available.

What Parents are Saying

"Thrive Outside showed us that our child is capable of so much more when in the right environment and with the right people."

"This is a beautiful opportunity for all children. I truly believe every child can benefit from OT, especially when it's outdoors and led by such lovely people."

"The most surprising outcome is how much our child loves to go on walks now! His stamina has noticeably increased, and he actually enjoys getting outside, moving his body, and exploring."

Want to take the self-reflection assessment?

Our free checklist might help you visualize whether a group could support your child right now!

Reviews

“Thrive Outside showed my husband and I that [our child] is capable of SO MUCH more when in the right environment and with the right people. A previous OT started to use techniques with [our child] that were borderline withholding and often negative, and we saw the impact that had on [our child]. We said no more - [our child] will only be enrolled in therapy that lifts him up and that he WANTS to attend. The endless support and encouragement Dr. Diana gave [our child] week after week allowed him to come out of him shell and enjoy grow. All of her creative and thoughtful activities engaged [our child] and kept him present and actively participating without any of the negative push back we had seen in a previous OT setting. [our child] went into therapy smiling and came out smiling. An absolute win-win for us all.”

“This is a beautiful opportunity for ND and NT kids alike. I truly believe all children can benefit from OT, especially when outdoors and in the hands of such lovely people.”


“The most surprising outcome is how much [our child] loves to go on walks now! His stamina has noticeably increased and he actually enjoys getting outside,  moving his body and exploring. We're loving these chilly fall walks together!!”

[our child] has non-verbal Autism, so a constant fear of ours is him being away from us for any significant amount of time. I wasn't sure if he would want to participate, if he could manage the transitions and going with a group plan, would he run off?? All the super scary situations crossed my mind and I was for sure hesitant.. But enrolling [our child] in the Thrive Outside program with Dr. Diana Honorat gave everyone in our family a huge boost in confidence and allowed [our child] to, well, THRIVE! [our child] was in such greats hands with Dr. Diana, and she provided him with so many incredibly sensory activities, fine and gross motor skills, and constant opportunities for [our child] to participate.

We incorporate the therapeutic benefits of nature to help your child become more calm, coordinated and confident