Philosophy
GaragePod® is founded upon a child-led philosophy. We built a culture where children take an active role in pursuing their interests while also teaching one other.
4 Pillars of GaragePod®
Nature and Community are intertwined. Children learn that when they care for the natural world, they also care for the community in which they live. Civic responsibility is an important part of GaragePod®. Our podsters participate in cleaning trash from trails and creeks, growing veggies and pollinator gardens to donating food to our local pantry. We are also proud to announce that children and adults at GaragePod® compost 100% of our food and compostable products as part of our mission in engaging in waste reduction.
Movement is vital for children's growth. All children need practice with uneven surfaces, climbing up and down hills, balancing atop fallen trees and slippery stones. Movement also includes fine motor manipulation of tools as well as gross motor activities. The pandemic and other cultural changes have affected the spirit of childhood physical development. At GaragePod®, we seek to reclaim and support a risk-taking, fearlessness in children.
Free Play means that as adults we step back and let children engage in unbridled, imaginative play. Through free play, children inevitably explore social dynamics so they can come together as a group to solve problems. A play-based childhood is one of the most important and critical components of childhood. There are no screens allowed at GaragePod®. Children use their hands to build, explore and discover. We do not allow any kind of electronic device to distract the child’s mind from growing infinitely in the world of their own imagination.
Creativity is the gem of childhood. At GaragePod®, children have the opportunity to learn an instrument, be an artist, make up games with friends, and be free to be who they are.
