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Getting Families Outside, One Adventure at a Time

Forest School

FAVORITE GEAR, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS
Demystifying Outdoor Schools: The Next Big Thing in Early Childhood Education
- March 22, 2022
Outdoor schools are gaining in popularity and sprouting up across the US and Canada. Now more than ever, parents realize the benefits and importance of their kids spending time outside, in the natural world, and learning through hands-on nature-based education. But, what exactly is an outdoor school, where do you find one, and what do kids need to wear to attend? We’ve got all the answers to these questions and more!

Getting acquainted with outdoor schools

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Alyssa Marsh, one of the founders of the newly launched Outdoor School Shop (ODSS), on the Run Wild My Child Podcast. I got to pick her brain on all things outdoor school-related. Over the last few years, I’ve heard more and more about “outdoor schools” and outdoor education in general, but I did not know a lot about the whole outdoor school movement in elementary education. My kids attend a traditional school, and there are not a lot of outdoor schools around where we live.

However, outdoor schools are gaining in popularity and sprouting up across the US at an unprecedented level. Even before the pandemic, outdoor school numbers were increasing, but now more than ever, the benefits of spending the majority of school-time hours outdoors is readily apparent to parents.

Outdoor School Shop’s mission is to outfit (forgive the pun) families and outdoor schools with the right outerwear so that gear never becomes the reason a child is not happy and thriving at outdoor school. In addition to selling all things waterproof, warm, and durable, ODSS is a big proponent of educating everyone about the concept of outdoor schools, how they’re different, where to find one, and how to dress for attending one.

Since we’ve received so much positive feedback on the episode and lots of really great questions about outdoor schools, I’m here to share a little about what I learned while chatting with Alyssa on the podcast. I also encourage you all to listen in for all the details! You can access the podcast recording on Apple podcasts on our podcast webpage or whatever app you use to get your podcasts.

What are outdoor schools?

According to Alyssa at ODSS, outdoor schools fall into the following categories: forest schools, nature preschools, farm schools, Waldorf schools, select Montessori programs, and traditional schools, which have pivoted to outdoor education due to the pandemic.

Forest schools are the most intensively focused on outdoor time, with some programs conducting the entire school day outside no matter the weather. Nature preschools spend at least 30% of their day outdoors and infuse their curriculum with nature as the steady theme. Students at farm schools spend between 30 to 50% of their time outdoors and ground their learning around the farm’s ecosystem.

At Waldorf schools, the outdoor curriculum often includes forest and farm early childhood programs, school gardens and outdoor horticulture. Many Waldorf schools also have dedicated forest kindergartens. The amount of time spent outdoors at a Montessori school really depends on the school’s individual mission, so make sure you do your research if outdoor time and focus is important to your family.

Finally, there is a lot of movement in more traditional school programs to get outside, whether that’s a couple of hours a day or a more dedicated approach to outdoor education. It is worth taking a minute to investigate what options your local school district may be offering, and if there aren’t any, maybe you could get a conversation going?

Photo credit: @star_child_nature_school

The number of outdoor schools is growing!

The number of outdoor schools in North America has grown exponentially over the last couple of years. Prior to the pandemic, numbers of outdoor schools were on the rise, but the onset of COVID really pushed numbers to grow at an unprecedented rate. Not only were more outdoor schools being formed, but traditional schools and otherwise mostly indoor education started moving outside at a rapid pace. Exact stats are a little hard to come by, but according to folks at the North American Association for Environmental Education, the number of nature-based preschools grew at least 500 percent in the U.S. since 2012.

Photo credit: @wildwood.forestschool

Where to find an outdoor school near you

With the growing demand for kids to spend more time outside, outdoor schools are popping up in cities and towns across the US. It can be hard to find a great outdoor school in your area (as they usually don’t have a big budget for advertising), but ODSS is here to help. ODSS has built an online directory of outdoor schools in North America. This is the most comprehensive directory out there, with 1000+ schools and growing every day.

The outdoor school directory focuses on schools for toddlers to 12-year-olds. It also includes outdoor daycares for the littlest ones. Run Wild My Child is happy to co-host that very same directory on our website as well. To use the directory, just enter your zip code and select your town from the results in the drop-down. You will be provided access to all the schools within a 20-mile radius of your town.

I entered my zip code, and there was only one result, but I am hopeful lots of you are going to get much more impressive results! There are parts of North America that are far ahead of other areas in terms of outdoor school presence, but I’m hopeful that we will all catch up soon! This is a growing and exciting movement in education and one that we feel will greatly benefit our kids.

Benefits of outdoor schools and outdoor education

There are many compelling reasons for your child to attend outdoor school but let me walk you through the highlights. Children (all of us, really) need time to thoroughly explore our thoughts, feelings, and relationships. When they spend time outdoors, children are able to develop a deep understanding of their world, the environment, and everything in it. Through imagination and exploration, their world opens to endless possibilities. (Source: Magnolia Forest Preschool).

A growing amount of research and study on outdoor education for young children has become available over the last 30 years. It is well documented that children’s development can be enhanced greatly outdoors in a number of areas. The following are some of the top benefits that outdoor learning and outdoor activities, in general, provide for children (source: Upper Manhattan Forest Kids).
- leadership
- imagination and creative thinking skills
- motor skills and gross muscle development
- independence
- self-confidence and resiliency
- strengthened immune system
- increased spatial sense and awareness
- beneficial to children with attention/control issues
Want to read more about the benefits of outdoor school and infusing your child in nature? ODSS has a fantastic, curated “Book Nook” with lots of great titles – wonderful options for kids too!

Photo credit: @littlebugsnaturepreschool

What do kids wear to outdoor schools?

If you think that an outdoor school would be the perfect fit for your child, you are likely wondering what kids wear to outdoor schools. Outdoor School Shop has you covered on this front! They carry top-notch gear that comes highly recommended to ensure that your child is always comfortable, warm, and dry and able to focus on the experience and not the weather.

ODSS scoured the market, interviewed countless outdoor educators, and test-drove the gear on their own kids. They came up with a shop stocked with the best selection of outerwear for outdoor school students. However, when I say “best”, I do not mean the most expensive! That’s not always the case. “Best” means best-suited to the environmental demands that outdoor school will require from your child’s outerwear, depending on your location and the weather you experience there.

Best-suited is different for kids in different locations. Outdoor school students in Florida dress differently than those in Vermont. This is why ODSS created extremely handy gear checklists specific to each region of the country that addresses this question. The checklists are free and available on their website. ODSS has also worked hard at producing a super helpful primer on how to dress our children in layers for efficient body heat regulation.

Photo credit: @muddyrivernatureschool

Outdoor schools create future stewards of the natural world

At Run Wild My Child, we’re really excited about the possibilities that outdoor schools bring to families who want their children to be outdoors and experience the wonder and beauty of nature from an early age. We know first-hand the benefits of raising kids outside and the importance of spending time in nature. The hope is that this early exposure to forests, farms and other outdoor locations will create a bond between the child and the natural environment that will never be severed. Outdoor schools are helping create the future stewards of our world!

Photo credit: @forestfolkacademy

Have you ever considered an outdoor school for your child?
GOOD FOR NATURE, INFORMATION, LESSONS, NATURE SCHOOL, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS
Starting A Forest Group for Kids
- November 5, 2020
Have you ever wished you had a local community of parents and kids that regularly met up to play together outside? Have you ever considered starting a playgroup, where the kids could socialize together while they run through the woods, hiked, and explored? Are you interested in meeting other like-minded parents that enjoy spending time outdoors? Well, this post is for you! Today, SarahRuth, Georgia mom of three and outdoor educator, shares everything you need for starting a forest group for kids. (Your outdoor playgroup doesn’t have to be in the forest – it can be anywhere.) She helps you come up with your vision for your forest group, a routine for your meetings and advice for how to get the word out. This is a post you’re not going to want to miss!
The idea to start a forest group
Hello, there outdoor mama! So, you’ve found your stride and you are wracking up your hours outside. You already know that time outdoors is important for your children and their development. You know how wonderful you feel after spending time outside. Your children love your forest forays and outdoor adventures together. Yet, something is missing. After several frolics under the green canopy, you realize what it is…community.
We, humans, are social creatures and when you love something (like spending time outside), it’s natural to want to share it with others. Getting outside is now a priority, so why not share the forest with a group of like-minded folks? Starting a forest playgroup for kids may have never been on your radar. Maybe it’s something you never considered or ever planned to do. And yet, it’s exactly what you know you’d love to do and you are ready to embark on this new adventure. I’m here to tell you how to do it and why it’s such a wonderful idea.
The vision for your forest group
Starting a forest group for kids can be a huge undertaking. In order to ensure the best chances of success, let’s pull together a game plan. The first step in the process of starting a forest group is to come up with a vision for your group and think about what you want it to look and feel like. Here are some questions to consider right away:
How old are your children?
Do you intend to keep the group within a similar age range or open it up to all ages?
How many kids?
Where you will meet? Is there a place you have been visiting in the woods?
Does it have any major risk factors for children?
How you will communicate with others?
Will social media play a role? (Many large forest groups use groups on social media to advertise locations, times, and dates of meet-ups. Smaller groups are most comfortable using a more personal method like texting.)
What are the leadership roles for the adults?
Will there be lessons or just open play?
What about food and snacks? Supplies and gear?
Do you want to put together a set of rules or general group guidelines?
Bringing on additional support
As you write down the answers to these questions, keep your vision in mind, and plan accordingly. When starting a forest group for kids, nothing is set in stone. You can always make changes later and adapt to the circumstances that arise. The planning part should be fun, so don’t let all the questions overwhelm you into not taking any action. It also helps to get help. Instead of pioneering a group individually, I have found having a co-director is wise and keeps me motivated and accountable. Teaming up with another like-minded adult means you will have double the ideas, as well as a fill-in when you are sick, or cannot be as engaged in the group.
Finding a base camp for your forest group
One of the primary roles of the person facilitating a forest group for kids is locating a place for the kids to meet and learn together. Groups usually take on one of two characteristics in this regard. They either choose a specific location and have their meetings there every time or they choose a new location and explore a different place at each meet-up. Both models have their benefits! Keep in mind the skill level, hiking ability, and ages of the participating children. This will help guide decisions about where to meet at events.
Stationary base camp
“Follow me!” 7-year-old Nellie shouts as she races forward on the trail.
“Wow! She is confident,” remarks a new forest group parent as they observe several children run behind Nellie and down the trail.
One idea is that remaining at the same base camp from week-to-week for months (or even years) creates a known environment. Children become comfortable, and eventually even experts in their space. They know the trails leading in, and around their base camp. Choosing the same base camp for an extended period of time can be beneficial for observing seasonal changes.
Nellie is an example of a child who is reaping the benefits of returning to the same space over and again. Her leadership skills are flourishing, and other children easily fall in step with her as a guide.
Roving location base camp
“Today we plan to use our map skills and cardinal direction knowledge to find our base camp,” instructs an adult as several children flock around them with interested faces. After a brief trail talk, the adult passes out compasses and asks the children to use a simple forestry map to head to their base camp for the day.
The other option is to decide to host your outdoor playgroup in a new location each time you meet. The above example shows how a base camp might be different at each event and how that might benefit children. Children practice using learned skills, they develop teamwork and learn how to explore new places, and adapt well to change. They figure out how to find a great base camp location at each meeting and learn how to safely explore unknown locations.
Hybrid
Some forest groups will choose to have both a stationary base camp, as well as events at new locations with spontaneous destination-based hikes and adventures.
Setting the structure of your forest group
When starting a forest group for kids, the next step after finding your base camp is to identify goals and structure for meetings. There is a school of thought that says children in the woods should be their own kingdom. Not infringed upon by the plans and ire of adults. Instead, they can create a world of their own, where they are the kings and queens and rule the land. Adults, step aside! You are the moat around their kingdom. Position yourselves as a border around the chosen base camp, spread your blankets, chat with a friend. You are a gatekeeper only.
There are many perks to having an “unstructured” forest playgroup that gives kids lots of time for free play. The many benefits of unstructured free play in nature have been documented in research again and again. Kids need time like this to be kids without adult interference. Plus, it’s easier for the adults, as there’s no need to plan activities or bring supplies. Watch, be aware, and relax while your children build friendships and explore.
At some point, or in some groups, a group lesson is important. This can either be an educational lesson, a skills lesson, or even just reading a book to the kids. This “forest school” approach is a great way to incorporate lessons and educational activities into an outdoor setting where kids learn best. Teaching outdoor skills using great books can be useful as well as essential to raising future environmentalists and earth tenders. Moreover, foraging, Leave No Trace, map skills, fort building, nature observation, and more are lessons that are best taught in the forest.
Some groups will have multiple events every week and can host both uninhibited play meetups as well as more structured “forest school” types of lessons. You can definitely do both and adapt as your kids get older and express interest in certain things.
Bring your friends to your forest group for kids
Storytime at the library will forever go down in history as the place I left my pride. Storytime was over, but a sweet little baby riding in her mom’s carrier kept grinning at me as I walked around the room re-shelving the books my two tyrants had strewn about. I wanted badly to approach and greet the mom, but just couldn’t get up the nerve. She left.
Suddenly, I find myself in the parking lot beside this mom, baby, and toddler. Breathless, I try and explain why I followed her to her van, “Hi! I know this is strange, but your baby is beautiful and friendly and, well, I didn’t know if you would maybe like to meet with some other moms at my place sometime? I am trying to get some folks together….”.
Call me crazy, but that was exactly how my first ever moms group started. Later, this mom became my best friend. I learned she had battled postpartum depression and she shared, “I had been waiting for someone to ask me over!”
Another dear friendship was born from a chance online encounter in a large mom’s group on Facebook. We realized we were in the same area. We agreed to meet up. The rest is history in the woods because she ran forest groups with me for three years thereafter.
Here’s the deal: making new mom friends can be hard. Sometimes you just have to get out of your comfort zone. The woods are a level playing field. Invite the mom struggling to get through the grocery store with three littles in tow to your forest group. Post an invitation at the library so other nature-loving moms can find it. Drop off an invite at the local food bank. Mention your forest group each time you hang out with friends. Growing a group takes some courage, but it’s so worth it. The friendships that develop (both at the mom and kid-level) are just incredible. Starting a forest group for kids was one of the best things I could do for myself as a mom.
Finding your stride in your forest group events for kids
A glimpse into a forest playgroup meeting:
About 15 children and 6 adults encircle a forest sign marking a trail. One adult can be heard over the rest, briefly instructing the adults to silence phones and keep them put up. One caregiver agrees to be the “photographer” for the day. Then a cheerful song begins. Some children sing and clap while others listen. Brief guidelines are provided with the children listing them almost independently.
Be within sight of adults.
Leaves of three, leave them be.
Gentle hands (with each other and nature).
Sticks pointed down.
Rocks are thrown away from others.
Pack in, pack out.
And then they’re off to play!
That is the forest group way! Simple guidelines shared and then off for a grand adventure. Many groups like to have a rhythm, an expected sequence of events, not necessarily tied to any specific times. In groups I have led, we typically have a trail talk (like above), a hike in (about 15-20 minutes), time at base camp (an hour or so), shared snack, and storytime (15-20 minutes). After that, families can choose to continue to play, or leave. Having a general idea of the flow of events can help children and caregivers feel comfortable. It can also help others step into leadership roles when a director cannot be present.
What you need to know before starting a forest group
Unless you are a forest guru (and maybe you are!), chances are you won’t know tons about the forest and the surrounding area when you get started. Hence, I have become good at everything and an expert at nothing. In starting a forest group for kids, I have realized that I get to learn as I go. Right along with the kids! You don’t need to know everything to start a forest playgroup. That’s the best part!
However, if you like doing your research on projects before jumping right in, here are some suggested books for finding ideas, gaining knowledge, and just overall improving your insight on running a forest group for kids.
Play the Forest School Way: Woodland Games, Crafts, and Skills for Adventurous Kids
There is No Such Thing as Bad Weather
The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs
Foraging with Kids: 52 Wild and Free Edibles to Enjoy With Your Children
Forest School Adventure: Outdoor Skills and Play for Children
If you are looking for great books to read while at your forest group events, this post is filled with amazing ideas. Including culturally diverse books is important as well.
The forest is calling
Be encouraged! So many people have started a forest group for kids before you. Many will after. This is YOUR moment, though. A group for YOUR kids. A place where you get to prioritize outdoor time and give your kids an incredible experience that will change their lives. (and maybe even yours) Work out the plan, find your courage, and then walk outside with your crew and invite your community to join in! You cannot fail, because starting is success in and of itself!
So now we need to know…
When are we meeting you in the woods?
About the author
SarahRuth is a homeschooling mother of three boys. She was raised in cities across the East coast, but now resides in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia where her husband grew up. Passionate about inspiring others to shift from the status quo of Western indoor life, she launched a local Free Forest School chapter in 2017. Her family clocked over 2k hours outdoors in 2019 and believes that outside time as a family is vital to a joy-filled life. She collects books, stray children, and as much coffee as her body will permit. When not foraging, chasing waterfalls, or camping with her crew, you can find SarahRuth crossing the globe from her laptop, teaching English full time online! She has two bachelor’s degrees in Education and is passionate about teaching children to love learning through outdoor adventures.