Homeschool Enrichment Program (12-18 Years)
teen Forest School
Once-a-Month Nature Mentoring & Wilderness Skills
October-May | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Teen Forest School is a once-a-month nature immersion program designed to give young people ages 12–18 deeper skills, bigger adventures, and meaningful time outdoors... away from screens and everyday pressures.
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Each month, teens step into a new wild space, guided by experienced mentors who help them grow practical wilderness abilities, confidence, and a genuine sense of belonging in the natural world.
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This isn’t just outdoor recreation. It’s a mentoring journey built on rhythm, community, and real challenge... the kind that shapes character and resilience.
click your location to enroll now
Schedule & Holidays
Program Dates:
- Start Week: September 8, 2025
- End Week: May 18, 2026
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**Actual Start Day is dependent on the day of the week your program runs.
Holiday Breaks:
- Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
- Thanksgiving Break: November 24–28, 2025
- Winter Break: December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026
- MLK Jr. Day: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Spring Break: March 9–20, 2026
- Good Friday: April 3, 2026
Learning Outcomes
Through hands-on experiences outdoors, teens will:
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Build practical outdoor skills like fire building, shelter making, knot tying, navigation, and basic survival techniques.
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Grow confidence and independence by solving real problems, facing new challenges, and learning how to lead and follow.
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Develop emotional resilience through time in nature, quiet reflection, and mentorship-based support.
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Strengthen communication and collaboration by working in small groups to complete tasks, solve puzzles, and support each other in the field.
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Reconnect with the natural world through deep observation, stewardship, and time away from screens.
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Explore their identity and values in a safe, grounded environment that encourages curiosity, self-awareness, and personal growth.
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Learn to take healthy risks and push their edges in a supportive setting that emphasizes safety, choice, and self-trust.
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Whether they’re tracking animals, cooking over an open fire, carving tools, or navigating with a compass, teens are learning to trust themselves, work with others, and stay connected—to nature, and to who they are becoming.
Why Families Choose Forest School
In these once-a-month gatherings, teens get to:
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Build advanced wilderness skills and survival knowledge
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Deepen ecological literacy through plant ID, tracking, and awareness games
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Gain leadership, teamwork, and self-reliance in a supportive group
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Take healthy risks and learn to solve problems creatively
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Experience nature as a place of calm, confidence, and self-discovery
Our teen program mixes bigger adventures with reflective time… building grit and emotional resilience alongside practical skills.
Our Locations and Schedule
Teen Forest School meets once a month on Fridays from October to May, from 9:30–11:30 AM.
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2nd Friday of the Month — The Woodlands
Rob Fleming Recreation Area
6464 Creekside Forest Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77389 A beautiful wooded area with trails, a shallow creek, old growth trees, native plants, bathrooms, and a treehouse-style indoor classroom. Perfect for deeper forest skills and quiet reflection.
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3rd Friday of the Month — Stephen F. Austin State Park
Stephen F. Austin State Park
Park Rd 38, San Felipe, TX 77473, Sealy, TX 77474
​A diverse state park with nature trails, camping options, a nature center, and abundant wildlife to track and study. An ideal setting for advanced skills and exploration.
4th Friday of the Month — Huntsville state park
Huntsville State Park
565 Park Road 40 west, Huntsville, TX 77340
A stunning state park with trails, multiple pavilions, a shallow creek beach, and rich wildlife... perfect for tracking, foraging, and leadership games.
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How We Teach
At The Wild School, learning is guided by curiosity, seasons, and the local landscape. For teens, this means real skills, real tools, and real exploration.
We build our curriculum around four core approaches:
Emergent Curriculum
We pay close attention to what captures teens’ interest — maybe building a survival shelter, navigating by the sun, or learning advanced fire techniques — then shape projects and challenges around those sparks.
Coyote Mentoring
Our mentors guide more by asking than telling. Through stories, thought-provoking questions, and gentle coaching, they help teens develop their own insights, observations, and connections. This nurtures critical thinking and true self-driven learning.
Flow Learning
Our time together matches the natural energy arc of teens. We start by sparking curiosity, move into focused challenges and exploration, then wind down with calm reflection — helping them stay engaged, balanced, and regulated.
Place-Based & Seasonal Education
We learn directly from each unique landscape. Teens get to know local plants, wildlife, weather, and ecological cycles through repeated visits and hands-on experiences — making learning deeply personal and memorable.
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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October: Animal Senses & Outdoor Hazards — learning how animals use their senses, plus what to watch for and how to stay safe outdoors.
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November: Knife Safety & Tools — proper handling, safe cutting techniques, and respect for sharp tools.
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December: Fire Safety & Skills — building, maintaining, and safely extinguishing fires.
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January: Shelter Building — crafting simple, effective shelters from natural materials.
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February: Water Sourcing & Purification — finding water in the wild and making it safe to drink.
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March: Mapping & Wilderness Navigation — using maps, compasses, and natural indicators to find your way.
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April: Animal Tracking — reading the stories wildlife leaves behind in tracks and signs.
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May: Survival Skill Test Run — a final class to put it all together in a fun, supportive “mini challenge.”
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Each theme includes hands-on challenges, individual and group projects, nature journaling, and outdoor free exploration.
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OUR DAILY RHYTHM
What a Typical Teen Forest School Day Looks Like
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Though it’s just once a month, our days follow a familiar flow that helps teens settle in, engage, and grow.
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Opening Circle: Gathering, setting goals, sharing stories, and revisiting our agreements for safety, respect, and group cohesion.
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Activation Game: High-energy awareness games or physical challenges that build trust, strength, and sharp senses.
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Focus Project: Hands-on work tied to the monthly theme or location — from advanced tracking to fire building, carving, or shelter construction.
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Snack & Reflection: A pause to eat, journal, tell stories, or simply enjoy a solo sit spot in nature.
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Free Exploration: Space for teens to follow personal interests — studying plants, wildlife, testing skills, or building something new.
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Closing Circle: Coming back together to share discoveries, express gratitude, and check in on the goals set at the start.
How to Enroll
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Steps to register:​
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Choose Your Preferred Class From Below
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2. Click Register
3. Complete your registration.
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After you submit your registration and payment, you’ll receive a welcome email with all the next steps.
If you have any questions at any point, please reach out to us at info@thewildschool.org. We’re happy to help!
For the most up-to-date pricing and to secure your child’’s spot, please visit the booking page by clicking your preferred site.
teen Forest School faqs
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What makes Forest School different?
Forest School is a yearlong journey blending foundational academics with wilderness learning. Children learn survival skills, ecological literacy, and build strong community bonds.
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Is Forest School a full academic program?
No. Teen Forest School is designed to complement homeschool or traditional schooling. It’s where your teen steps out of the classroom to gain practical knowledge, emotional growth, and critical life skills that can’t be learned behind a desk.
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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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Extra set of clothes (especially during wet or muddy seasons)
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Seasonal Appropriate Layers
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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 to book your trial today.