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Free to Be Forest School is a holistic, learner-led and hands-on approach to education. Our goal is to unleash the individual potential of all of our learners. We know that learning is not separate from the rest of a child's experience. In the outdoor environment, children learn by engaging all of their senses, and that learning becomes rooted within them instead of simply memorized and forgotten. At Free to Be, children ignite their passions and follow their curiosity, all while fostering a connection to the natural world. We believe that children should be FREE TO BE themselves; to play, to run, to jump, to splash in puddles, to roll down hills, to scream and shout, to daydream and watch the clouds. Free to direct their own learning, and pave their own way. The skills acquired and lessons learned at Free to Be Forest School have life-long value, and will prepare learners for an unlimited array of experiences in the real world.

These nature-based classes are designed for children 10mo-5yo and their caregivers. These classes include:

• Baby & Toddler Yoga & Mindfulness
• Heuristic Play and/or Sensory Play (related to our seasonal themes)
• Short Loop Hike
• Stories About the Natural World
• Fingerplays & Songs

These Forest School classes are for children ages 3-6. All registered learners must be toilet independent and able to participate in class without a caregiver present. 

Classes include:

Short Hikes

Yoga & Mindfulness Techniques

Self-Reflection

Nature Studies

Identifying Local Flora & Fauna

Emergent Math, Language & Science

Crafts and Skill Building

These Forest School classes are for school-age children (7-12 years). After a six-week Baseline Assessment, these learners will be introduced to various tools and learn essential survival and fire-lighting skills. 

Classes include:

Short Hikes

 Yoga & Mindfulness Techniques

Self-Reflection

Nature Studies & Nature Journaling

Identifying Local Flora & Fauna

Animal Tracking

Orienteering & Cartography

Emergent Math, Language & Science

Crafts and Skill Building 

Basic Whittling Skills

Basic Weaving Skills

Shelter & Den Building

Basic Knots and Lashings

Tool Safety and Use

These homeschool-oriented classes are teacher-directed and cover subjects such as language arts, math, science and art for children ages 4.5 to 7 years old. For these lessons, we pull from various nature-based curriculums (Wild Reading, Wild Math, Project Wild and Flying Wild) as well as our own, and incorporate simple ASL and Spanish into each lesson.  All classes take place outside and are hands-on, multi-sensory, nature-based and movement oriented. 

Nature Explorers is a mixed-age summer camp class for children ages 5-12. Each camp class is six hours long, takes place entirely outside, and meets once a week and a designated location.  Camp classes include:

Short Hikes

Yoga & Mindfulness Techniques

Self-Reflection

Ample Time for Free Play and Exploration

Nature-Based Centers

Various Games and Activities

These workshops are designed for children and adults ages 7 and up. Each workshop is unique, and will focus on a specific skill such as:

Whittling

Weaving

Knots and Lashings

Needle Felting

Making Natural Pigments/Inks

Foraging Medicinal and Edible Plants

Forest Bathing & Grounding