IMAGINE…

a life where your kids are confident, happy, & healthy from spending more time outside…where they look at trees instead of screens & they gain an understanding of our worldly rhythms…a place where kids of all ages can be themselves & gather to learn & encourage each other with out the pressure of schedules & tests.

WHAT IS FOREST SCHOOL?

Forest school is an educational philosophy that takes a holistic approach to learning. (You don’t even have to be in an actual forest!) If you’re looking for lots of structured activities, this is not it. Things learned in forest school are child-directed and play-based no matter the age. 

Our meetups are all about the exploration of our surroundings – which include practical nature activities that are hands-on and also stem off into other areas of learning. No adult or child can fail at forest school. 

 Forest School:  

• Focus on creating a connection between the student and nature by encouraging exploration, risk play, respect for nature, and participation within achievable tasks and activities.

• Help students develop confidence and creativity by teaching practical outdoor skills and cycles of nature. 

• Meet regardless of the weather or season (with the exception of severe storms.) Research has shown that being outside and activE improves mental and spiritual health, communication skills, and social relationships, among other things.

• Develop confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

• Believe that risk is more than just potential for physical harm, but a place for holistic growth. There are risks in everything we do, and we grow by overcoming them.

• Work with the resources they’ve got: the wilder and more natural the better.

• Are where children learn to assess, appreciate, and take risks, making sensible, informed decisions about how to tackle the activities and experiences they encounter. 

•  Is a long-term process of regular sessions rather than ‘one-off’ or infrequent visits.

HOW IS FOREST SCHOOL DIFFERENT?

Our community meets each week for forest school activities and nature exploration. The Forest School communities usually also offer one field trip and one community service project each month. 

Families are encouraged (but not required) to participate with your community. Our motto is “do what’s best for your family.” You’re welcome to go off on your own for each activity or stay with the group. 

Monthly field trips create more opportunities for in-depth learning. Field trips range from visiting a different park to explore, fossil hunt, hike, etc. to visiting a local farm, camping, and visiting nature centers. Every community is different so we will get an idea of what everyone is intrested in and will customize these meet-ups to best suit the group.

In Forest School we believe that children also learn through serving others. The community will also have one community service opportunity per month for families to participate in. These projects will keep the theme of each season & rhythm, when able. Some examples may be, raking leaves for shut-ins during the fall, park clean up days, and volunteering at an animal farm or garden. The possibilities and benefits of community service projects are endless! 

HOW WE OPERATE

Each year, (September-May) we go through a nature book/journal together that our activities and field trips are based on. The book is included with your enrollment. 

The community meets once a week in an outdoor classroom for the activity/lesson. We will also have one field trip and one community service project each month that aligns with studies that month. 

Our weekly activities teach nature-based sciences and other skills relating to the outdoors. Our activities are designed to range across all subjects of learning. Even though our focus is nature, that expands to cover art, citizenship, local history, math, science, life skills, physical education, critical thinking, and more! 

Yearly curriculum is coming soon! It expands on each rhythm for an opportunity for more in-depth learning at home. Be on the lookout for this as it will connect ELA, math, science, history, health/PE, and fine arts to the same activities you are learning at forest school each week! 

NATURAL LEARNING

LEARNING METHODS

Kids of all ages gather to play and do hands on activities each week. We designed our program so each activity has the potential for more (or less) in-depth learning based on the child’s skill level and age. 

The Forest School educational philosophy is broken into three developmental stages and their learning methods based on the child’s age: 

• Ages 5-8 focus on Exploration & Observation 
• Ages 9-13 learn to Analyze & Navigate 
• Ages 14+ Practical Application & Independence

NO BAD WEATHER

At Forest School we believe meeting in all types of weather builds resilient, well-rounded kids. We only cancel forest school if there is a severe weather alert (ie: tornadoes) or lightning. Have you ever heard the saying, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”? We believe that! Always dress for the weather and don’t skip out because it’s too wet or too cold. Some of our best forest school days happened on less than perfect weather days.

OUR RHYTHMS

Just like nature has natural rhythms, Forest School has four yearly rhythms we rotate through. Each rhythm is named after an element of nature broken into 3 twelve week cycles that we focus on for the entire year. Learning is based on the yearly rhythms plus the natural changes of each season. This gives your child the opportunity to go more in-depth, spark interests in different sciences, and gain a better understanding of the elements and seasons over time. 

Every four years, we start over again with new activities. This repetition helps set the foundation for every level of learning through experience and play.Click to view/doOUR RHYTHMS

EARTH

Earth focuses on seasonal changes relating to geology, botany, zoology, foraging, earth sciences, minerals, fossils, and soil studies.
Cycle 1: Land Cycle • 2: Trees & Animals • Cycle 3: Bugs & Plants

SKY

Sky focuses on seasonal changes in the sky, astronomy, meteorology, environmental and space sciences, birds, and climate.

WATER

Water focuses on seasonal changes relating to physics, marine life, reptiles & amphibians, water habitats, rain & erosion, and water sports.

FIRE

Fire focuses on seasonal activities of survival skills, first aid, orienteering, outdoor safety, self-reliance, and physical skills.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES A DAY AT FOREST SCHOOL LOOK LIKE?

While every community is a little different, we generally start the same way. Your family arrives at the meeting location and kids participate in a free play, nature show and tell, or group game. Then at a designated time, your group will hike to your ”classroom” area for the weekly activity (or other location). Leaders will give families the directions and supplies (if applicable) for the activity. The activity typically lasts about 60 mins. But, often times families will stay to eat, explore, and play for the remainder of the day. 

HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR THE ACTIVITY?

Talk to your child about the weekly theme in the days leading up to Forest School. Your nature journal will have a page for each week. This will pique their curiosity, get them excited and give them basic knowledge about our activity.

You can also buy the yearly curriculum (coming soon!) and receive special extension activities that go along with each weekly theme and season. 

WHAT DO WE WEAR?

Dress for the weather. Rain boots, waterproof jackets, cold weather suits, gloves, hats, and bare feet will all be needed. Also, make sure your children have adequate water (water packs work great!) and snacks each week. 

WHAT SHOULD WE BRING TO FS?

We suggest a FS backpack to help keep all your supplies in one place and make getting out the door easier. Hikes are more fun when you’re prepared. Optional supplies would be: a whistle, field guides, a microscope, magnifying glass, multi-purpose tools, binoculars, a compass, and a net or bug catcher. You will also need a whittling kit most years. 

WHAT OTHER BENEFITS DO WE GET?

Besides the benefit of nature, FS Families are also eligible to receive a discount to HSLDA for homeschool legal services and memberships. We are working on securing more discounts for FU families.

WHAT SUBJECTS ARE COVERED?

• Science: Scientific Inquiry, Research, Nature, STEAM
• Social Studies: Local History, Environmental Issues, Map Making
• Math: Measurements, Applying Concepts, Quantifying Information
• Language Arts: Writing, Reading, Communication, Focus, Public Speaking, Story Telling 
• Fine Arts: Observing, Drawing, Artist Studies, Art Projects, Sensory Skills
• Citizenship: Community Service
• Physical Activity: Exercise, Teamwork 
• Health: First Aid, Herbalism, Life Cycles
• Life Skills: Cooking, Survival Techniques, Organization, Problem Solving, Risk Analysis

IS IT A DROP OFF PROGRAM?

No.  For safety reasons and for us to create a true community, parents stay. 

IS THE JOURNAL SECULAR OR CHRISTIAN?

Our motto is “Parents are their child‘s teacher.” We leave control to the parents. We also believe it is more important for children to hear what their own parents believe about world views than to hear what we believe.

Our activities and nature journals are neutral and do not endorse, add in, or exclude any particular religions (or lack of religion.)

As the parent you are in charge of your child’s education, so you can take the lesson in any direction or depth that you want to for your family. 

HOW MUCH IS FS?

We aim to keep FS affordable for everyone. Your family can join for $20 a month! Yearly enrollment is only $175 per family. There is a $25 supply fee for every attending child age 5+. Please contact us by June 1 of each school year if you would like to join FS and are financially unable to do so. 

DO YOU PROVIDE ALL THE SUPPLIES?

Your supply fee covers a yearly nature journal/book. Most supplies will come from nature, FS will provide the rest. Occasionally, we will ask you to bring items that you probably already have around your house. (ie: scissors, a sharpie, etc. or personal items like binoculars) Your group leaders will let you know when to bring something. 

WHAT ABOUT KIDS UNDER 5?

Younger siblings are free and always welcome! They can participate in activities and join in games if they want to. Because our costs are so low, we don’t include them when buying supplies, but there’s often enough to share. Most of our activities can be done “family style.” 

CAN I BRING A FRIEND?

For liability reasons, we ask that you don’t bring friends unless they’re enrolled in FS. We do have “open house” and “family and friends” events occasionally. Ask your leader for more information. 

CAN WE BRING PETS?

Out of consideration for FU families whose children have allergies or other diagnosis, we ask that you don’t bring animals to meetups unless it’s a service pet. We also want to avoid pet conflicts, no one wants kids to be caught in between a dog fight. Each group dynamic is different though, so you might want to check with your leader. 

CAN I GET A REFUND IF WE ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND MEET-UPS?

Because we buy insurance and supplies when you become a member, we are not able to give refunds or discounts once you’ve enrolled. Your membership is good from Sep-May. 

WHAT’S THE AVERAGE AGE OF MEMBERS?

Every group is different. Our program is designed for families with kids of all ages. Some groups may have more older kids and some may have more younger kids.

WHEN DO YOU ENROLL?

We open for enrollment every April. Enrollment closes in July. Our year runs September thru May. We will start enrolment for next years class soon. However, since we are just getting started and we will be starting the classes mid year for this first round we will announce a midyear enrollment soon with prorated tuition.

WHAT ABOUT COVID?

We ask that you do not come to forest school if you are sick with any virus. All of our “group” activities can be done without close contact. When it comes to participating in weekly meetups, we encourage everyone to do what’s best for their families. If that means doing activities outside of the group setting or on your own, feel free to grab your weekly supplies and find a secluded spot for your kids. We want everyone to be comfortable being in nature.

If for some reason restrictions limit outdoor meetings, your nature journal can still be done at home! We will give you all tools and details to complete activities on your own.