TimberNook SWMI
At TimberNook, play isn’t just fun, it fuels growth. Rooted in story and the wonder of nature, TimberNook programs use extended outdoor play to spark creativity, build confidence, and strengthen resilience.
This is the TimberNook way: child-led, nature-driven, and full of possibility.
Our Programs
We offer a variety of programs for all ages and abilities!
- Tiny Ones, ages 1 to 3
- Little Wild Ones / Wild Ones, ages 4 to 12
- School Field Trips, grades pre-K through 5
- Summer Camps, ages 4 to 12
Our Location
We are located on a non-public portion of the Chipman Preserve in partnership with the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC).
8395 E Main St, Galesburg, MI 49053
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the land we are operating TimberNook SWMI on is the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary homeland of the Bodwéwadmi (Potawatomi) nation. We honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between these Indigenous peoples and this land, and we commit to uplifting Native voices and sovereignty in the work we do while using this stolen land.
Our Cost
All our programs are fully grant funded, which means there are no out-of-pocket expenses for families when they register. All registration is a first-come first-serve basis.
We rely on donations and grant money to cover all our expenses.
Our TimberNook SWMI Team
Rebecca Hernández
Rebecca is a pediatric occupational therapist, a community organizer, and a wife and mother to three young kids. She graduated from WMU and has been serving children and families in a variety of capacities for over 12 years. She owns Santosha Wellness, a private therapy practice where she and her team offer OT services and caregiver coaching. She also works with local non-profit KC Ready 4s, where she supports educators in the preschool classroom and offers professional development at the local, state, and national levels. She became a Certified TimberNook Provider in 2026. Additionally, she has served on the executive board of a local non-profit childcare center. Outside of her professional work, Rebecca loves to be in her garden, swimming in the lake, or going on adventures with her loved ones. Rebecca is passionate about advocating for child-led play experiences for historically underserved communities, and she founded Santosha Collective as a response to this community need.
Violet Humphreys
Violet is a lifelong learner and mother of two. She earned her B.A. in Spanish from WMU and spent over 10 years teaching at Kazoo School, where she worked as an assistant teacher, and also taught Spanish language & culture, working with students pre-K through 8th grade. Violet occasionally substitute teaches at The Farmhouse Early Learning Center and Nurturer by Nature, programs with strong outdoor learning curriculums. She regularly volunteers with the Peace House, an afterschool & summer program serving families in Kalamazoo’s Eastside Neighborhood. She most recently served as the board president on the executive board for a local non-profit Preschool, Bread and Roses Child Care Center. Violet spends her free time in her garden, and enjoys traveling near and far with friends and family.