
Mindful Wild Steps




























































































































































































































































Through nature, we heal; through connection, we grow.

Helping families thrive in Lutruwita (Tasmania, Australia)
At Mindful Wild Steps, we create meaningful outdoor learning experiences that connect families with nature, nurture a sense of belonging and support holistic growth.
We offer weekly Wild Steps sessions for homeschooling families with children aged 4 to 13+ and Mindful Mini sessions for children aged 0 to 3 in Mangalore.
We also run statewide Single Sessions, ConnectDAD workshops for dads and Wildcrafting Women gatherings for women.
You’ll also find downloadable content, free activity ideas and more.
Our focus is on mental health, whole-child wellbeing, sustainability, community building and fostering a love for the natural world.
Through nature, we heal; through connection, we grow.
Join Us
-
Wild Steps
Our weekly Wild Steps sessions are designed to nurture the whole child, inspire connection with nature and a sense of community. Designed for home educating families with children 4-13+.
-
Mindful Minis
Mindful Minis sessions for children aged 0-3, offer a gentle introduction to nature through sensory play and exploration, nurturing a love for the outdoors from an early age.
-
Single Sessions
Our single sessions can be held anywhere in Tasmania, perfect for introducing families to the benefits of outdoor learning. We usually run these on weekends or in the school holidays so all families can come along.
Meet The Team
-
Jaya Fox
I’m Jaya, a nature-loving mum of four wildlings aged 2 to 14 and the founder of Mindful Wild Steps. For the past three years, I’ve been creating spaces where families can connect; with nature, with community, and with themselves.
With a background as a Holistic Health Practitioner, an Introduction to Forest School Certificate, and a Certificate in Applied Developmental Psychology, I’m passionate about blending holistic health, outdoor learning, and exploration. I’ll also be furthering my studies with a Forest School Level 3 Certificate and a counselling degree, with a focus on offering nature-based support for children.
Living with ADHD myself has taught me the importance of creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.
At Mindful Wild Steps, I live by the belief that through nature, we heal; through connection, we grow. I’m so grateful to walk this journey with the incredible families who make up our community and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
Founding Facilitator
-
Josh Willemsen
I’m Josh, a dad to two young daughters, a stepdad to two more, and one of the facilitators at Mindful Wild Steps. I’ve spent the past few years working as a support worker, mainly with men, and hold a certificate in Introduction to Male Psychology.
Growing up camping, fishing and exploring the outdoors gave me a deep respect for nature and community. I believe in the importance of creating spaces where families, especially dads and their kids, can connect, slow down and just be themselves.
Through my work and life experiences, I’ve seen first hand how connection, support, and simple outdoor experiences can strengthen bonds and mental health.
At Mindful Wild Steps, I’m passionate about helping families build these moments together, while growing a community that feels like home.
Facilitator
-
Olive Clark
I’m Olive, a nature-loving mum of six and one of the facilitators here at Mindful Wild Steps. After 17 years in Melbourne, my family and I relocated to rural Tasmania to embrace a simpler, more connected lifestyle. I now homeschool my youngest son, Zane, and our days are deeply grounded in cultural practices, daily rituals, and connection to the land.
I’m a Traditional Māori Healer, Reiki Master Practitioner, Spirit Breathwork Facilitator and hold certificates in Master Holistic Counselling and Aboriginal Cultural Safety Awareness Training. Through my work, I aim to lift the life force of both people and place.
I believe that creating spaces where children can thrive through nature, play, and community is essential for their growth and well-being.
At Mindful Wild Steps, I’m honoured to walk alongside families, offering support, strength and shared connection as we journey together.
Facilitator
-
Carissa Jacobson
I’m Carissa, a creative soul, nature-lover and proud mum of two wild-hearted kids. After years in customer service and aged care, I embraced life as a stay-at-home mum, reconnecting with nature and rediscovering my creative passions.
I spend my days wandering through forests, kayaking, crafting whimsical jewellery with foraged treasures and finding magic in the everyday. My background in community volunteering and my love for music, storytelling and the outdoors are at the heart of everything I do.
Moving from Melbourne to Tasmania felt like coming home, and I’m passionate about helping families reconnect to the earth, to free play and to each other in a world that often feels too fast.
At Mindful Wild Steps, I feel so grateful to help create a space where curiosity, creativity and community can bloom.
Facilitator
How you can support Mindful Wild Steps:
Some families and community members ask how they can support what we do. If you’d like to contribute, here’s our Wishlist of resources we’d love to bring into our sessions:
See what others have to say:
-
As someone who suffers from social anxiety, it can be hard to find spaces where both I and my child feel comfortable. But Wild Steps has provided exactly that, a very relaxed and welcoming environment. The kids are free to be kids and explore nature, while the parents have space to connect too. It’s been a really wonderful experience.
-
Josh is more than just a dad in my eyes. As I mentioned to Josh on Friday, I notice his weekly efforts in connecting "meaningfully" with the bigger kids. Josh connects not only with the families in general but also with the big kids. He finds something special to the individual kid to chat about. I truly appreciate this special effort he makes. Thank you, Josh!
-
Oh also my son said wow there were dads there I was like yeah he goes its always the mums taking children I said yes and he goes it was nice to see dads there and they were all nice. I never thought of it until he said about it think that made it more relaxing for him seeing males doing what society only see mums doing. You have created such a great space for all thank you for allowing us to be apart of it xx
-
I wanted to let you all know how much today felt like "coming home" for us. That sounds corny doesn't it? I loved catching up with the kids and parents.
-
Joining Wild Steps has been one of the best decisions we’ve made for our family. From the very first session, we were struck by the positive atmosphere and the sense of community. Jaya does such an amazing job of creating a space where the children feel free to explore and learn at their own pace. Our child has gained so much confidence and developed new life skills that we’ve seen carry over into their everyday life. We especially appreciate how the sessions foster a genuine connection with nature while also encouraging social interaction. It’s been a truly rewarding experience for all of us.
-
🌿🕸🌞🪷❣️
We love coming to Bush school, Beautiful space, always friendly faces, great energy and the kids love the activities set for the day .
-
[Josh] He doesn't have to make conversation, but he does. And that's an exceptional individual right there <3 The world needs more like Josh. Mr N adores him! There's so many things to love about Mindful Wild Steps and this is just another one.
-
I just love the concept of your group and think what you are doing for the Wildlings is amazing. We are a very lucky group.
-
I love what you're doing and that you're a Mum running her own business and providing a beautiful space for other parents and kiddos!!!
-
My 11-year-old daughter absolutely loves attending Wild Steps sessions. Every week, as we leave the sanctuary, she’s already excitedly talking about the next session! The child-led, hands-on approach fosters such a love for nature and has truly strengthened her passion for the outdoors. We’ve seen her build so many new skills, from fire lighting to shelter building, and the connections she’s made with the other kids are so special. I can’t recommend Wild Steps enough!
-
This program has been a real game changer for my daughter. She’s always loved the outdoors, but Wild Steps has opened up a whole new world for her. She’s learned so much about nature, conservation, and bushcraft skills, and every session seems to bring something new. It’s been wonderful watching her explore, learn, and grow alongside other children, and we both love every minute of it. We’re so grateful for this experience.
-
My children absolutely love Mindful Wild Steps 🌳🌿 They have a blast exploring the beautiful environment, engaging in activities and free play, and playing with the other children. Jaya is fantastic and does an incredible job organising the sessions. Highly recommend! 👍
-
The effort Jaya puts into her programs to teach all who attend the sessions, is nothing short of amazing, the connections and friendships made are wonderful to see and experience, what dedication 10 /10
-
My girls love coming here, they love the activities and nature play that mindful Wild Steps offers. They have made so many friends along the way. Definitely recommend this if your kids love playing out in nature and doing activities. It's a grate place for home school kids to socialise
-
Our family has absolutely loved attending Wild Steps. The atmosphere is always so positive and full of creativity, and it's been a fantastic safe space for us to connect with like-minded families. We initially joined to try it out, but it turned into something much more than we anticipated. The sessions have given our little one so much confidence and new life skills, and they really enjoy hanging out with their new friends. We’ve continued to recommit each term and couldn’t be happier with the experience
-
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ mindful wilds steps is absolutely amazing! Jaya is so knowledgeable and welcoming and makes it so much fun for kids and parents alike! I recommend this program for everyone 😊 give it a go!
-
Our recent visit to Mindful Wild Steps was an outstanding success. The program is incredibly well-organised, offering a variety of hands-on activities that engaged our students from start to finish. The children were thrilled to explore the bush, learn about local wildlife, and participate in practical bushcraft skills. The learning experience was not only educational but also deeply enriching, fostering a greater appreciation for nature among the students. As a teacher, I was impressed by the thoughtful planning and the seamless integration of fun and learning. We look forward to bringing more classes in the future.
-
We’ve had such a great experience at Wild Steps, and something that really stood out to us was seeing so many dads actively involved in the sessions. It’s so often that these types of activities are filled with mums, so it was really nice for our son to see other dads joining in. It’s helped create a really inclusive, relaxed environment, which has been so valuable for us. Thank you for creating such a wonderful space for everyone!
-
We felt welcome from the very first session and we 💯 feel that care also and appreciate what you offer it is a amazing, happy and safe environment you sure have created.
They say it takes a village to raise a child and the environment and everyone that attends makes it feels like I've found my village 💗
-
Our child was so inspired after the session at Wild Steps that we spent the rest of the day in the backyard and at Bunnings, setting up our very own greenhouse! The hands-on nature play and activities have really sparked a love of the outdoors in our little one, and it’s amazing to see them so excited to bring what they’ve learned at Wild Steps into our home. We’re so grateful for this experience!
-
Honestly, we didn’t expect to love Wild Steps as much as we do. It’s become such an amazing part of our weekly routine. Our child has grown in so many ways since joining. She’s more confident, more social, and more curious about the world around her. It’s also been a great way for us as parents to connect with other families who have similar values. We couldn’t be happier that we joined!
-
Wild Steps has brought so much joy into our lives! Our little one looks forward to it every week and has really blossomed since joining. The activities are always so engaging, and there’s such a strong focus on creativity and nature. We’ve noticed a big change in their confidence, and it’s wonderful seeing them so happy and excited to spend time outdoors with friends. We’re so thankful for this space and can’t recommend it enough.
-
What I love most about Wild Steps is that it’s not just about the kids, it’s about the parents too. It’s been a fantastic way for me to connect with other mums and dads who share the same values. We’ve built some really special friendships
-
Such a welcoming space! Wild Steps has given us a chance to connect with nature in a fun, hands-on way. My son loves it, and I’ve enjoyed meeting other parents and seeing the kids work together.
-
Being part of the Mindful Wild Steps community has been such a blessing 💖 It's a great way to connect with other families and enjoy nature.
-
As an educator, I’m always on the lookout for programs that complement the values we try to instil in the classroom, things like curiosity, independence, and respect for the environment. Wild Steps does exactly that and more. The sessions are thoughtfully designed to encourage hands-on learning and child-led exploration, which I find incredibly valuable. The balance of offered activities and free play allows children to engage in a way that feels authentic to them. I can wholeheartedly recommend Wild Steps to parents and fellow teachers alike, it’s a fantastic opportunity for children to connect with the natural world while building key life skills.
-
There are so many good things that come from Mindful Wild Steps, Jaya Rose Fox. You introduced me to cacao, which has become my daily nourishment, reunited 2 girls who have become besties and opened our world to new friends. We LOVE Mindful Wild Steps and highly recommend it to others.
-
There was a positive atmosphere, loads of creativity opportunities and a safe space to be with like-minded people. As a family, we had soo much fun. It was actually better than we anticipated. We decided to join for the term. Our little one has gained more confidence and life skills. He really enjoys hanging out with his new friends, and so do we. So we have continued to recommit each term, and couldn't be happier
-
We attended a session today and it was wonderful. Kids being kids in nature and also a great space for us parents. Very relaxed and comfortable setting and that’s coming from someone who suffers with social anxiety. 😆 highly recommend.
-
My son has been talking so much about the other children and the potions, I haven't seen him so connected and engaged in a new group of children in a long time
-
I'm so pleased we found your beautiful group! Being around such warm and genuine people is actually helping us let go of the stress of fitting in at school (for me too!) and being accepted as the unique individuals we are x
-
We are very thankful for you too. Wild steps is what it is because of you, because you've put your heart and soul into it and we see that and we feel that. So Thank You!
-
You have provided opportunities for meaningful connections (and reconnections), natural learning, and limitless creativity for all. WE are grateful every week. and look forward to each and every week.
-
Its a amazing place you have created I can say my children have changed and gained a lot more confidence since coming to wild steps and you should be proud of what you have created as I am grateful for being apart of wild steps not just for my children but for my self so thank you
-
Great session Jaya. Thanks for having us. We are thrilled to be part of your community, and such lovey people too.
Great to finally meet you and your Family - your 'why' - and so impressed with your 'outside the box' endeavour.
-
A beautiful outdoor learning space with options for play and learning.
-
We are very thankful for you too. Wild steps is what it is because of you, because you've put your heart and soul into it and we see that and we feel that. So Thank You!
-
You have provided opportunities for meaningful connections (and reconnections), natural learning, and limitless creativity for all. WE are grateful and look forward to each and every week.
-
Omg what a change in (child) from anxiety ridden not leaving the house or when we did he clung to me asking to go home all the time oh not to mention he would complain he felt sick all the time but today he stepped right out and made some new friends and said yes to hanging out with them straight away and went off with them and I didn't see him hardly at all. If that's all I achieve home schooling him that's a win for me. The change in him is incredible he is a totally different child to what he was a few months ago and I am so proud of him I'm so blessed to have found wild steps and everyone is so friendly and the lady that runs it is so supportive and lovely. Feeling very blessed and happy happy children = happy mummy
-
Thank you so much for having us we really enjoyed it and felt so welcomed. I was worried I would feel out of place but everyone was so nice and welcoming we look forward to next week
-
Jaya Rose Fox, I'm so glad you persisted when things were hard! Every week, I'm amazed by your constant flow of good ideas, your sense of calm and how you get so much done as a busy mum and partner. <3
Nature | Connection | Whole-Child Growth

