Why Start a Branch?
Because this is where passion meets purpose (and pine needles).
And because you want your work to matter - to get kids outside, laughing, learning, and falling in love with the world around them. Rugged Research branches give educators, parents, and explorers a way to turn their love of nature into work that feels alive and aligned.
Connect with Nature
Be part of a movement that helps kids rediscover wonder and reminds you of your own.
Live Your Values
Build a life that aligns with what you care about: curiosity, freedom, and the planet.
Grow Community
Bring people together through outdoor learning, curiosity, and care for the natural world.
Inspire the Next Generation
Share your love of nature with kids, planting seeds of curiosity and care that last a lifetime.
Protect What You Love
Play your part in healing the planet - one child, one class, one wild adventure at a time.
What We Provide
Everything you need to grow something meaningful.
Curriculum & Program templates
Ready-to-go lessons, activities, and supply lists tested in the field and loved by kids.
Rugged Research
Brand Use
Operate under the Rugged Research name with your own local branch identity.
Mentorship &
Support
Ongoing guidance from our team and other branch owners as you grow your programs.
Community of Educators
Join a national network of like-minded teachers, explorers, and nature lovers.
Starting a Rugged Research branch is designed to be simple and accessible. Your first call isn’t a sales pitch; it’s a real conversation about your goals, your community, and whether this path feels like a good fit.
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Many of our branch owners are former park rangers, teachers, parents, or nature enthusiasts who wanted to share their love of nature while building a life that feels meaningful and free.
Branches can thrive anywhere - from city parks to suburban green spaces to wide-open rural lands, because nature learning belongs everywhere.
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The startup costs are minimal, and most people begin with a single program and grow from there. Many recoup their initial investment within their first season.
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Whether you’re looking to add to your existing work or start something entirely new, we’ll walk you through every step, from setting up your license to running your first program.
Who Thrives as a Rugged Research Branch Owner
Rugged Research attracts people who want meaningful, flexible work in nature - people who love kids, love the outdoors, and want to bring more curiosity, wonder, and connection into their community.
People who love kids and nature​
You already feel at home outdoors and light up around children. You enjoy exploring, observing, and creating experiences that spark excitement and connection.
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People who value meaning and lifestyle​
You want work that feels aligned, joyful, and flexible - something that fits your life, not the other way around. You care about doing something that matters.
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People who want flexible, joyful income​
Rugged Research is a lifestyle business. Most branch owners earn part-time income that fits their life, usually in the ten to thirty thousand dollar range per year. It’s work with a flexible rhythm - a few short teaching blocks each week, plus light prep and admin that ebbs and flows with the seasons.
Some grow to forty thousand plus if they choose to run more programs.
The beauty of this work is that you decide what to offer, when, and how big you want your branch to be- shaping it around the life you already have.
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People who are steady and consistent
You do not need to grind or hustle.
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What matters is steady, thoughtful effort - showing up for your programs, communicating well with families and partners, and keeping things organized. Consistency is what helps your branch grow.
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People who already love sharing nature, learning, or creativity
Rugged Research attracts people who love nature, kids, and meaningful part-time work.
Many of our branch owners come from backgrounds like teaching, outdoor education, early childhood education, camp leadership, yoga and mindfulness instruction, enrichment programming, stay-at-home parenting, homeschooling, photography, environmental science, and more!
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If you enjoy guiding groups, being outdoors, and creating joyful learning experiences - and you want flexible work that fits into your life - you’ll feel right at home here.
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People who take initiative (but prefer a low-pressure approach)
Rugged Research rewards gentle leadership. You enjoy connecting with schools, daycares, parks, and families in your community - not with sales tactics, but with genuine excitement and curiosity.
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People who want a role that feels authentic
Branch owners often say:
“This feels like who I really am.”
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If you are looking for work that reflects your values and the way you want to live, you will thrive here.