Sgt. Tommy’s Kids helps expand youth outdoor experiences at Hidden Oaks

(Photo by Lydia Pond)

The Nature Foundation of Will County is helping expand outdoor learning opportunities at the Forest Preserve District’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook, thanks to generous support from Sgt. Tommy’s Kids.

“For the past three years, we’ve received support from the Sgt. Thomas M. Gilbert Memorial Foundation to help scale up youth programs and activities at the Forest Preserve District’s newly acquired nature center,” said Tara Neff, executive director of the Nature Foundation. “Through 2025, that support totals $11,700.”

Sgt. Tommy’s Kids was founded in honor of Sgt. Thomas M. Gilbert, a fallen U.S. Marine from Downers Grove. From an early age, Tommy loved being outside, exploring nature, and he wanted all children to have the same opportunities he did. Their mission—to promote youth appreciation and education of the outdoors and to encourage kids to be active in nature—aligns with our core pillars.

“Sgt. Tommy’s Kids funding came to Hidden Oaks at the perfect time,” said Suzy Lyttle, the nature center’s program coordinator. “As a new facility, we were starting fresh with almost everything. Creating starter kits for field trips, in-school programs, and public programs has been exciting, but also a financial challenge.”

Our support enabled Hidden Oaks staff to purchase the tools and materials needed to begin offering field trips for schools and homeschool students in 2025. The equipment also supports hands-on activities such as pond dipping, bug hunts, and snowshoeing, as well as a new program, Winging It! Birding 101. In the program, students learn about bird adaptations and birding as a hobby before putting their new skills to the test on a guided birding hike.

Providing each child with their own equipment is essential for creating hands-on and interactive experiences.

“Kids love having a new tool to use, and they don’t necessarily want the toy version or the ‘kid’ version,” Suzy said. “If it’s the real deal that biologists use, that’s even cooler.”

Encouraging children to spend time outdoors offers numerous physical and mental health benefits. And, the more time kids spend outside, the more comfortable and confident they become in natural settings.

“Nature can be overwhelming for kids—it can be dirty, hot, cold, or windy,” Suzy said. “But learning how to adapt is important. Dress for the weather and be okay with being just a little uncomfortable.”

Unplugging from technology can be uncomfortable, too. That’s why we support Forest Preserve District programs that inspire discovery. By partnering with organizations like Sgt. Tommy’s Kids, we hope more children and families get outside—and fall in love with nature.