Homeschool Forest Program (6-12 Years)
Forest School
Weekly Drop-Off Program
September–May | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The Wild School’s Forest School Program is a long-term, nature-immersive homeschool experience designed to help children ages 6–12 thrive in wild spaces — while gaining real-world skills, deep ecological knowledge, and the confidence to take on challenges both outdoors and in life.
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Rooted in seasonal rhythms and guided by skilled nature mentors, Forest School offers a full academic year of hands-on, project-based learning — with weekly themes that integrate survival skills, plant and animal studies, storytelling, naturalist knowledge, and creative expression.
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Children who spend a year with us walk away with resilience, independence, and a connection to nature that shapes who they are.
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Learning Outcomes
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Throughout the year, students will:
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Build real survival and wilderness living skills
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Learn knife safety, fire-starting, water filtration, tracking, and shelter building
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Develop deep ecological literacy through plant ID, bird language, and animal observation
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Gain confidence using tools and creating real projects with natural materials
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Strengthen self-regulation, leadership, teamwork, and emotional resilience
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Discover personal responsibility and pride through independent challenges
Why Families Choose Forest School
At Wild School, we believe children learn best through long-term connection — to people, place, and purpose.
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Our Forest School program gives your child:
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A weekly nature immersion grounded in rhythm, ritual, and reflection
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A multi-age peer group of homeschoolers to grow and learn alongside
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A real mentor relationship with teachers who know them deeply
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The chance to build competence outdoors: fire-building, tracking, foraging, carving
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Space to take healthy risks, fail safely, and build problem-solving grit
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A meaningful connection to local ecology and their role in caring for it
Monthly curriculum Focus
Each month, we anchor our curriculum in a specific nature skill or concept, weaving it into every part of the class — from storytelling to projects to games and reflections.
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September - Forest School Foundations: Nature Awareness, Mapping & Navigation
October - Shelter Building, Primitive Structures, Nature Art
November - First Aid, Water Sourcing & Safety
December - Fire Building & Fire Safety
January - Cordage, Lashing, Knot Tying
February - Wildlife Tracking, Bird Language & Survival Games
March - Knife Safety & Whittling Projects
April - Foraging & Medicinal Plant Identification
May - Campfire Cooking Challenge & Primitive Living
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Each theme includes hands-on challenges, individual and group projects, nature journaling, and outdoor free exploration.
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Class Rhythm
A Typical Class Day Includes:
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Opening Circle: Connection, storytelling, and goal setting
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Activation Game: Movement or skill-based nature challenge
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Focus Project: Skill of the month (shelter building, carving, foraging, etc.)
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Snack & Reflection: Group journaling, storytelling, or solo sit spot
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Free Exploration: Creative play, nature games, peer-led building
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Closing Circle: Sharing, gratitude, and goal check-in
Forest School faqs
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What makes Forest School different from other nature programs?
Most outdoor programs offer short-term experiences or play-based exploration. Forest School is a long-term, skill-building journey that blends academic foundations with wilderness learning. Children learn fire safety, knife skills, navigation, and tracking — while also developing real ecological literacy, community bonds, and a sense of personal responsibility.
This is not a one-off nature day. It’s a yearlong mentoring experience rooted in rhythm, depth, and connection.
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Is Forest School a full academic program?
Forest School is designed to complement your homeschool curriculum, not replace it. We cover foundational subjects like science, art, language, and math — but through real-world, hands-on experience in the field.
Think of it as your nature-based extension of learning — where your child builds practical knowledge, executive functioning, emotional growth, and life skills beyond the books.
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My child hasn’t done learned any wilderness skills before — will they be behind?
Not at all. Forest School is designed for all levels, and we start each year by laying foundational knowledge like trail safety, nature awareness, and forest rules.
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Whether your child is new to nature learning or already loves to build forts and start fires, they’ll be supported exactly where they are.
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Is this a good fit for neurodiverse children?
Yes. Our program structure is flexible, multi-sensory, and supportive of different learning styles. Children who thrive with movement, hands-on learning, and space to regulate often find deep success in Forest School.
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We offer clear boundaries, consistent rhythms, and predictable expectations while making space for autonomy and creative expression. If you have specific concerns or questions, we’re happy to talk through your child’s unique needs.
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What should my child bring each week?
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Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, boots, rain gear, etc.)
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Backpack with:
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Water bottle
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Snack/lunch
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Journal & pencil (provided at first class)
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Optional: gloves, nature tools, etc.
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Extra set of clothes (especially during wet or muddy seasons)
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We’ll send a full gear list once you enroll, including seasonal recommendations.
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Is it safe for kids to use knives and start fires?
Yes — because they’re taught with great care and supervision.
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Our mentors are highly trained in outdoor risk assessment and follow strict safety protocols. Children are only introduced to fire or knife work when they are developmentally ready and have shown consistent responsibility.
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We teach respect for tools and fire — not fear — and that makes all the difference.
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What happens if there’s bad weather?
Forest School runs in almost all weather — including rain, cold, and mud. These are valuable parts of the learning experience! However, we will cancel or reschedule for:
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Lightning
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Flooding
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High winds
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Severe temperature extremes
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If a class needs to be canceled due to weather, families will be notified with as much notice as possible and offered a seasonal make-up day.
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Can we try Forest School before committing to the full year?
We offer occasional trial sessions (if space allows) to get a feel for the program. That said, Forest School works best as a long-term journey — relationships, rhythm, and growth happen over time.
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Please reach out to us at info@thewildschool.org or go to www.thewildschool.org/trialclass to book your trial today.