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

We offer microscopes, dip netting, binoculars and magnifying glasses. We discuss useful and edible plants and those which are dangerous, and the traditional Indigenous stories and teachings of animals and plants. We will invite Indigenous Elders, workshop facilitators and knowledge keepers to share teachings of the land, plants and animals.

Woodworking

Keeping a close eye and with careful guidance, we furnish kids with tools for whittling, wood-burning, and other wood-based crafting, including working with hand saws, mallets and hatchets.

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.

Physical Activity

Children have many opportunities for healthy risky play on and with natural materials. We offer slacklines and ninja obstacle course equipment to enhance play and teach agility, balance, etc. We also go on hikes, and support shelter building with tarps, knot work, and natural materials.

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.
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