What is Forest & Nature School?

Forest & Nature School is a research-backed model of education that is rooted in supporting the ways children naturally thrive, learn and grow.

It always takes place outdoors in the same natural area, allowing children to build a deep relationship with that particular place. Each day is different as we observe what's happening on the land, and teach different ways to interact with it.

Everything a child learns at Forest & Nature School is intrinsically motivated and learned enthusiastically, in a naturally emergent, relaxed rhythm and through unstructured free play. All day long, in all types of weather, kids ask questions, explore, discover, create, move and learn, on and with the land.

Forest School facilitators support all participants in exploring their unique interests, share skills and nature-based crafts and games, and model respect and reciprocal relationships with their natural environment and those around them. 

Read more about the pedagogy of Forest & Nature School.

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Forest & Nature School Activities

Science

Nous mettons à disposition des microscopes, des épuisettes, des jumelles et des loupes. Nous abordons les plantes utiles et comestibles, ainsi que celles qui sont dangereuses, et nous partageons les récits et enseignements traditionnels autochtones sur les animaux et les plantes. Nous inviterons des aînés autochtones, des animateurs d'ateliers et des gardiens du savoir à partager leurs connaissances sur la terre, les plantes et les animaux.

travail du bois

En les surveillant de près et en les guidant avec soin, nous fournissons aux enfants les outils nécessaires pour sculpter le bois, le pyrogravurer et d'autres travaux manuels à base de bois, notamment l'utilisation de scies à main, de maillets et de hachettes.

Art

We offer watercolour painting with Beam paints (a natural, Indigenous owned paint company) for creative/imaginative art, animal, plant and landscape painting. We do 'zen' painting activities using water-based Magic Draw fabric, telling the story of the day using water-painting which fades soon after. We offer storybooks and air-dry clay for sculpting. We source natural materials like willow for the weaving of mats, baskets, belts, etc., and play imaginatively with loose parts outside.

Activité physique

Les enfants ont de nombreuses occasions de s'adonner à des jeux sains et audacieux avec des matériaux naturels. Nous proposons des slacklines et des parcours d'obstacles de type ninja pour enrichir leurs jeux et développer leur agilité, leur équilibre, etc. Nous organisons également des randonnées et aidons les enfants à construire des abris avec des bâches, en utilisant des techniques de nœuds et des matériaux naturels.

Resting, Dreaming & "Doing Nothing"

We all know the creative magic that happens when we are just 'doing nothing,' especially outside! We furnish students with hammocks, picnic blankets and shelters where they can relax and decompress, daydream and even nap outdoors. We also lead them to start a practice of ‘sit spots’, where one finds a quiet spot to sit and observe the animals, plants, insects, birds, weather, smells, rocks, etc.

Storytelling & Reflection

At the end of each day, we reflect on our experiences to deepen learning, by telling the 'story of the day' through a variety of mediums - this could look like spoken sharing in circle with others, painting, song, dance or poetry. We also practice nature journaling, with unique techniques for building natural literacy and keeping records of our experiences and explorations.
Learn more about our programs...