FAQ

A Forest School is exactly what it sounds like. A school in the forest. A Forest School breaks down the walls that traditional education have built around children and instead, allows them to learn through exploration. No walls, ceilings or floors attached. Our Forest School follows the Constructivist approach to education with a focus on inquiry-based and play-based learning. In a Forest School, children learn to take risks, problem solve, explore, and learn ALL through outdoor adventures. A Forest School takes the academic pressure off children and instead, allows them to develop as children were intended to: through play and exploration.

Children play outside the entire time they are at school. 9:00AM- 12:00PM of 9AM-1:45PM. We learn, play, and eat all outside. Research suggests that children should spend one hour per day outside to meet their physical needs, but up to 3 hours of outdoor play to meet their social-emotional, problem solving and critical thinking needs. Read here about why children should be outside: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-reasons-children-need-to-play-outside-2018052213880 https://childmind.org/article/why-kids-need-to-spend-time-in-nature/

We go over the appropriate dress during orientation.

As long as roads are safe to drive, we will have school when it is snowing or raining. If there is extreme weather that prevents us from safely meeting, school may be cancelled. Make up days are built into the school calendar. In an event where extreme weather is sudden, we have access to a covered shelter at the campsite and a basement nearby, if needed.

Absolutely! Our school is 100% outdoors. We follow Alfred Wainwright motto "There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing." Parents are expected to make sure their child is dressed appropriately for the weather that day. Bundle up. Waterproof shoes, waterproof jackets and pants, hats and gloves are all part of our school supply. There is a shelter on site if children choose to use it. We also have access to the indoors, if needed. We even build a safe campfire on really cold days. For more information, ask Jessie about our weather policy.

Potty trained means your child can pull their pants up and down and independently. They can sit or stand at the potty to use the restroom. They have less than one accident a week.

We play with nature, of course! Risk play is encouraged to help students develop their boundaries; what they can and cannot do. Students learn to take risks so they can see what they are capable of. An adult is always close by as children climb trees, walk along logs, hop from rock to tree stumps. We play in the waters of the creek, walk along paths, play in mud, dig for bugs and whatever else their imagination comes up with.

Our extended day group will eat lunch together, practice mindfulness strategies such as bird watching, nature journaling, cloud gazing, yoga and sit spot. We will also have scheduled STEAM projects with a focus on Math, Science, Art and Music.