Ms. Nadia Van Waes, Lead Teacher at Sammamish Montessori School
My name is Nadia Van Waes, and I am thrilled to be at The Sammamish Montessori School (SMS), where I began my Montessori journey 15 years ago. I’m excited to reflect on this past summer’s incredible experience with three summer camps that embody the essence of the “Garden to Table” philosophy.
How it all started for me
My background is deeply rooted in child-centered pedagogy. Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, I began my career as an infant lead teacher in a nursery school, practicing the Pikler pedagogy. This approach values the development of each child through observation and self-initiated movement. It’s a philosophy that resonates with the Montessori method, which I discovered while searching for a preschool for my children after settling in the United States. It was love at first sight! I became passionate about Maria Montessori’s philosophy, which beautifully aligns with my belief in allowing children to learn through movement, exploration, and hands-on experiences.
Montessori Camps: In touch with the source
At SMS, we embrace children’s natural curiosity and guide them toward becoming independent, joyful learners. Our summer camps offer a unique opportunity for children to engage with the world around them through practical life exercises. One of my favorite camps to lead is “Garden to Table,” where we focus on wholesome, locally sourced produce. The children learn how to plant, compost, and harvest from our school garden, as well as how to prepare delicious and nutritious meals using fruits and vegetables they’ve grown with their own hands.
Another beloved camp this summer was “Little Bakers.” Baking is an incredibly enriching activity for children, and our campers delighted in creating both sweet and savory dishes from different parts of the world. Each day, we would introduce a new recipe, and children learned about other cultures and cuisines while honing their fine motor and problem-solving skills. I even incorporated French lessons alongside our recipes, allowing the children to learn a foreign language while baking simple French dishes – a wonderful way to immerse them in a multicultural experience!
Montessori Camp: Kitchen Chemistry
Finally, “Kitchen Chemistry” brought out the inner scientist in our campers. This camp allowed the children to see the science behind the food they eat. Through various experiments and cooking exercises, they explored concepts like mixing, measuring, heating, and chemical reactions. This hands-on approach teaches them the basics of science and nurtures their natural curiosity about how the world works.
Montessori Camps that teach more than cooking
Our cooking camps aim for campers to think critically, plan ahead, and even vote for the recipe they want to make. Each cooking class is designed to be accessible to children at their developmental level. They learn the importance of patience, taking turns, and following a recipe’s directions. The sequencing of tasks, safe use of utensils, and understanding how different ingredients come together to create something new help to foster their growth.
Campers practice essential math skills like counting, measuring, weighing, and pouring. These activities enhance their fine motor and problem-solving skills and introduce science concepts as children begin to understand weights, measurements, and how ingredients change when mixed or heated. As they learn about foods from around the world, they also expand their view of other cultures, develop new culinary vocabulary, and use it meaningfully while cooking.
Building community through food
The pride children feel when they eat and share their prepared meals with friends and family is an indescribable joy. It’s not just about the food – it’s about the sense of accomplishment and the bonds created over a meal. Children become more open to trying new foods because they had a hand in making them. Cooking together helps them appreciate the beauty and bounty of our Pacific Northwest region, where seasonal products inspire our recipes and reinforce their connection to nature.
At The Sammamish Montessori School, we believe in fostering independence and joy in learning through hands-on experiences. Our summer camps are designed to engage children in meaningful activities that develop life skills while making learning fun and interactive. Cooking, gardening, and experimenting with food are not just activities – they are gateways to understanding the world around us and forming lifelong connections with nature and community.
Come along and be inspired
Reflecting on this past summer, I remember how these camps allow children to explore, discover, and grow in a nurturing and supportive environment. The Montessori philosophy is about cultivating curiosity and independence, and I am passionate about providing children with the foundation to become lifelong learners. I’m beyond excited to continue this journey at SMS and to welcome new families to join us in our mission to inspire young minds. Whether through our unique summer camps or our regular school year programs, SMS provides a rich and engaging environment where children thrive.
Come explore the magic of Montessori with us – whether in the garden, kitchen, or classroom, we’re ready to spark joy and inspire a love for learning in your child!
