About Us

My name is Jaime and I am the founder and leader of Free to Be Forest School. I have been a teacher for the last fourteen years and have many years of experience teaching in a traditional school setting as well as in a Montessori and Waldorf-inspired homeschool setting. I am also an avid hiker, rock climber, naturalist, and most importantly, a mother to a wild and free-spirited five year old. Mr. Jeremy is a forest school assistant leader, and an expert in the field of wilderness survival skills. He also has over nine years experience working with children in various settings.  With the assistance of both a child development specialist and a holistic health consultant, we have developed a program that focuses on the development of the WHOLE child (physical, intellectual, linguistic, emotional, spiritual, cultural, social), while connecting them to the natural environment in a genuine and experiential way.

I have experienced firsthand how the education system has changed. Children spend less and less time outside, with little to no time for free play, socialization or self-guided exploration. I have seen dedicated, creative teachers burn out and feel helpless in their ability to reach all of their students because of the limiting framework of the traditional school system. At Free to Be Forest School, we know that EVERYONE learns best when they follow their own interests. Children especially need to explore their world, ask questions and use their whole bodies to develop fully. Our learners follow their passions as they foster a respect for themselves, their peers and the natural world around them.

Forest school is a holistic, learner-led and hands-on approach to education that uses natural spaces and woodland environments to provide students with opportunities to learn and grow physically, intellectually, spiritually, socially and emotionally.  

At Free to Be Forest School, 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.

The first six weeks of each forest school session form the baseline assessment. Leaders observe and assess the children to gain insight into their stage of development, understand what type of leaners they are and see where they are in their journeys. Every class is tailored to meet the needs of the individual child, and adapts for each group. While we do have weekly themes/nature studies, the main focus of each class is on the learners' interests and not the "activity". Leaders take into account the preferences and abilities of the children with every activity that is introduced. It is the job of a forest school leader to support every opportunity for a child to shine. By being empathetic about the interests of their learners, leaders are able to recognize how to create natural learning opportunities, driven by the learner's own intrinsically motivated desire to explore and discover their world.

Forest school is meant to be a long term educational journey, taking place throughout the entire year. Learners form relationships with one another and with the environment as they observe how it changes (and how they change) day to day and season to season. By applying skills in a real world context, learners see firsthand how their decisions impact not only themselves, but their environment and those around them. At the end of each class and each session, learners reflect on their own growth, development and personal goals. 

At forest school, children also learn:

• Nature journaling and nature studies
• Identifying local flora and fauna, especially what may be harmful or beneficial
• Identifying animal tracks and scat
• Orienteering and cartography
• Basic knots and their uses
• Den making
• Fire-lighting, safety and maintenance (certain locations only)
• Basic whittling
• Weaving
• Tool safety and use
• Mindfulness techniques
• Simple yoga flows

The predictability of our routine frees the children from having to worry about what is next. This creates a sense of safety and security which is necessary to fully immerse themselves in their play and work. 

🌿 Gathering Meeting

Our gathering meeting welcomes the group and assesses everyone's moods and needs. We do a brief "calendar", discussing the day of the week, month, season, and current weather. We also address any safety rules and establish boundaries. Pending the mood, a story may be shared that relates to our current nature study. Lastly, a yoga sequence or other gentle stretch is incorporated to prepare our bodies and minds for the day ahead.

🌿 Hike and Explore

Children collect their things and we journey together into the forest. We set up "camp", and the children PLAY! The possibilities here are endless! This is really where the magic happens, and that is why we spend the majority of our time immersed in this child-led exploration. Forest School Leaders provide materials and activities that may enhance the children's learning and interests. When it is time to head back, the "camp" is cleaned, children gather their things, and we make the journey back to our original meeting place. 

🌿 Snack and Bathroom Break

While the children are snacking, we may sing some songs or read more books about our current nature study. A Forest School Leader will accompany children to the public restroom facilities if needed. For bathroom emergencies, we are equipped to assist 'taking care of business' in the great outdoors.

🌿 Craft/STEAM/skill practice

Now that the children are refreshed, they have the opportunity to participate in the day's activity. This is different every day for every group of children. Children enrolled in Seasonal Sessions  have the opportunity to practice skills like weaving, felting, shelter/den building, fire starting, safety and maintenance and basic whittling. Some days we may play a nature-themed team building game. 

🌿 Closing Meeting

The closing meeting is where we reassess moods and reflect on everything that we have learned and accomplished during class.