Mud, Sticks, and Sunshine

with Lauren Menzietti

Come out to play the Tinkergarten way!

Welcome! My name is Lauren Menzietti and I joyfully offer outdoor play classes featuring the Tinkergarten curriculum! Classes are for kids and their grownups around the Plum and Murrysville areas. We meet weekly for songs, movement, exploration, and purposeful nature play. We‘ll focus on CREATIVITY this SPRING! See below for class options, registration, and information.

Contact me to learn more:

mudsticksandsunshine@gmail.com

I'd LOVE to learn with you!






Cute Kids Outdoor Enjoying Nature

Designed for children ages

1.5 - 9 years with an adult


Questions: Please email mudsticksandsunshine@gmail.com


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Come join us at Bear Hollow Park!

I’d love to see you there!


Early Bird Spring 2024 registration is now open!

15% off full season (through March 19th)


Click here to register early for SPRING




Class Options


Mud, Sticks, and Sunshine

Murrysville Parks and Recreation

Youth Programs


Click here: Youth Programs Catalog

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Registration

is always

open!


Spring 2024 Creativity Season:


Click here to register early for SPRING

6-Session Spring Season:

April 7, 14, 21 and May 5, 12, 19

*no class on April 28 (reserved makeup day)

Sundays: 2:00-3:00 pm


Full Season: $150 Individual Sessions: $25/class

*Early Bird Discount through March 19th (best option)

Sibling Discount will begin March 20th


*Individual session registration closes the night before each class.

Please register early so you can save your spot.




Summer 2024 Sensory Season:

Summer class information will be posted here.















Owl Cartoon with Megaphone

*Note:

The registration link will take you to the Murrysville Parks & Recreation "Youth Programs" page. Please create a family account, add your child(ren), and then you'll be all set to register for programs.

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About Me


Hello! I'm Lauren!


I've been leading Tinkergarten classes since Fall 2019! I'm a Pittsburgh mommy of two sweet boys, 9 and 13, who both adore being outside any chance we can get. I am married to a musician, so our family also loves making, listening, and moving to music. I work full-time as an elementary reading specialist and have been teaching for about 20 years in public schools, Montessori, and even college. Balancing family and friends, work, fun, and a healthy lifestyle can be quite a challenge! I don't know about you, but I want my kids to grow up treasuring nature like I did. I would love to help your family get out there more and make outside time a priority! Come play with us and get your weekly dose of mud, sticks, and sunshine!



Pittsburgh Leaders


Current Local Leaders:


*Lauren Menzietti- Plum/Murrysville/Surrounding

Email: mudsticksandsunshine@gmail.com

Website: You are here! :)







Click here to search using Tinkergarten's

Find a Local Teacher Directory



Local TG Leaders:

(not teaching this season)


Erica Strnad

Winter Mack

Annah Kirby

Lindsay Lipscomb

Sara Remington

Tara Rae

Carley Young








Tinkergarten Resources



Tinkergarten LINKS:


Tinkergarten Home

TG Mission & Values

TG Blog

Come to Tinkergarten Song

Tinkergarten Gear Store


*Season Enrollees can receive my special discount on a Tinkergarten Anywhere subscription ($5/month instead of $15).






Class Policies and FAQs


Below you will find my current class policies and FAQs. These may change as updates are being made to the program.

Any other questions, please email: mudsticksandsunshine@gmail.com


Two Ways to View:

  1. Click the questions to view the answers below.
  2. Open document in Google Class Policies 2023


What ages does the program serve?

Can siblings come for free?

Can families try a class for free before enrolling in the program?

Are refunds offered?

Are credits or refunds offered for missed sessions?

What happens in inclement weather?

How are photos used at Tinkergarten?

How is a safe learning environment fostered during class?

What is the approach to health/COVID-19 safety in classes?






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Kids Exploring in Forest with a Magnifying Glass

Class Policies



What ages does the program serve?

The program is designed for children ages 18 months-8 years. Families are encouraged to try a free class to see if it is a good fit for their explorer. If your child is slightly out of the age range but seems interested, just ask!


Can siblings come for free?

Siblings under 12 months of age may join at no cost. Siblings over one year should enroll in the class, with a 25% off discount available at checkout.

If a sibling needs to attend due to scheduling change (eg. day off at school), they can attend up to two sessions without enrolling. Families are asked to notify the teacher if an extra child needs to attend for a session so they can prepare any necessary materials.


Can families try a class for free before enrolling in the program?

Families are invited to enroll in free trial classes or pop-up play dates prior to the start of the season.


Are refunds offered?

Please contact Murrysville Parks and Recreation for refund questions.


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Are credits or refunds offered for missed sessions?

Credits and refunds are not offered for classes missed by families. Families who subscribe can utilize their Tinkergarten Anywhere content if they miss a live class session.


What happens in inclement weather?

Decisions about whether it is safe to hold class are determined using local weather guidance and a weather chart. Sometimes during heavy rain or snow, we are able to meet under the pavilion at the park as long as the weather is still safe.

I will update families at least 90 minutes prior to class by email and text message if I need to cancel. The session will be rescheduled and offered another time that week or the following week. I do my best to choose a time that is convenient for families. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled class and have a Tinkergarten Anywhere subscription, you will have access to an online video lesson and resources. Seasons may be extended due to health or weather cancellations.


How are photos used at Tinkergarten?

Photos will be shared within our class group only. If I would like to use a photo on social media, on my website, or for outreach, I will ask your permission. If you are uncomfortable with your child being photographed, please reach out so we can communicate this to our families. Parents often choose to share pictures of their kids at play with Tinkergarten across social media, as they do with many other kids' activities. Those choices are up to the individual parent.


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How is a safe learning environment fostered during class?


Playing outside and in a public space comes with certain risks. Each explorer (child) is accompanied and supervised by a guide (parent or caregiver) for the entire class. During the registration process, families will sign a Release of Liability waiver. Please know that I will do all that I reasonably can to provide a learning environment that allows for safe risk-taking, while respecting nature and wildlife. I will encourage families to come prepared with sunscreen, bug repellent, water, etc. depending on the time of year and share up-to-date recommendations for safe outdoor play. Regular season classes are held during daylight hours, while some events like the Lantern Walk may be during the evening.


Handwashing: When temperatures are above 50-60 degrees, I will provide a soap + water mixture for participants to wash hands as they arrive.

First Aid: I always bring a First Aid Kit to class, which can be utilized by guides (attending adults) if needed.


Here are a few, simple rules we encourage:

*Explorers (children) can explore on their own as long as they can still see or hear their guide or the Leader.

*If explorers are taking physical risks, we check in to make sure that they feel sturdy and safe in their risk-taking.

*Leaders encourage children to engage in risky play, but give clear redirection if or when safety and the safety of friends in the class could be compromised. For example, we celebrate that sticks are the #1 toy of all time, but we make sure that our sticks have plenty of space so they do not touch our friends' bodies. Ultimately, over time, we want to help children learn how to learn their limits while still playing in a way that keeps them and their friends out of true harm.

*We encourage children not to put nature treasures in their mouths. If a wee one is doing so as a natural part of exploring the world, we work with their guide to try to honor that need in the safest way possible.



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What is the approach to health/COVID-19 safety in classes?


Any doubts, please refer to the CDC Covid-19 Guidelines: CDC Covid-19 Website


Before each class:

All participants (teacher included) refer to a pre-class Health Checklist that includes a check for symptoms of COVID to self-assess. While this is meant to protect against the spread of COVID-19, it also helps us stay on top of other contagious illnesses so we keep each other healthy. If your family is not well, please stay home and take care of yourself. If you have a Tinkergarten Anywhere subscription, you can access the lesson online.


During class:

All participants follow an In-Class Safety Checklist with 6 simple strategies that enable us to play safely together!

Masks are not required at this time, especially for an outdoor class, unless they become required by our local area or park systems.

We design our classroom spaces and activities so that we limit participants' sustained close contact with people outside of their family/pod.

Eating or drinking should be done in “nests” with distance from anyone outside or participants' household or pod.



Confirmation of confirmed positive cases:

Exposure Before Class: If you or one of the people who join you in class test positive or are exposed to someone who is positive, follow the current CDC Guidelines for isolation or quarantine. While in isolation or quarantine, you must stay home from class.

Testing Positive After Class: If you or someone in your household who attended our class test positive for COVID-19 after participating in a session, please reach out so we can check in to see if anyone needs to be alerted.


Thank you so much for your support and cooperation with these guidelines!

It's important that we work together to make sure everyone feels safe

in our class community.



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Stay home stay safe sign on a tree
Cartoon Sick Snail


Contact Me

Thanks for visiting

Mud, Sticks, and Sunshine

with Lauren Menzietti!

Come out to play the Tinkergarten way!



Email Lauren Menzietti:

mudsticksandsunshine@gmail.com


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