What does a typical day at Forest School look like?

The FortWhyte Forest School program for preschoolers is a lightly structured, child-led outdoor learning experience.  Their day typically includes free-play nature exploration and walks, sharing circles, snacks, and reflection time.  There are no toys at Forest School. Instead, the children spend their time creating in the mud/snow kitchen or exploring their surroundings using their imaginations with some simple tools such as trowels, buckets, magnifying glasses along with some human-powered tool use. Through repeated access to this magnificent natural space, children will get to know it as well as their own backyards!

What is child-led exploration?

Child-led play is an unstructured, voluntary, child-initiated activity that allows children to develop their imaginations while exploring and experiencing the world. It is spontaneous play that comes naturally from children’s curiosity, love of discovery, and enthusiasm. By respecting and valuing free play, children’s interest gets to be the foundation for their learning, and we let the children own their own learning process. It is vital for children’s development and learning, and it treats the child’s emotional, physical, and social selves as encouraging depth of experience. Our Forest School facilitators act as springboards for learning. The forest schoolers have direct involvement in deciding how their day will unfold. We are there to keep them safe, spark engagement, learn alongside them, and create connections to each other and to the natural world.

What is “risky play” and why does Forest School support it?

Navigating risk is an essential part of child growth and development.  Some examples of risky play activities that children may engage in at Forest School include balancing on a log, climbing a tree (to a low, safe height), jumping off a rock or across a small ditch.  Forest School supports children as they learn to self-regulate through risky play in healthy, age-appropriate, and controlled doses.  As children experience risky activities and terrain, they learn to determine for themselves whether something feels safe or not, rather than looking externally to adults to decide for them.  Risky play activities are closely supervised by staff at all times so that we can continually ask questions to help them problem solve their experience.

Where is the Forest School program located?

The FortWhyte Forest School program takes place in the natural area near the Siobhan Richardson Field Station located on Lake Cargill.  This area is closed to the public outside of group programming and is only accessible by appointment.

What are the educator/child ratios?

Our program has a maximum group size of 12 children and supervision is offered at a ratio of 6:1.  We have two trained staff Forest School Facilitators, as well as a FortWhyte Alive volunteer per group.  We recognize the importance of low ratios in our unique forest setting.

How do I know if Forest School is right for my child?

The success of our Forest School program depends on the support of the families who are enrolled.  To ensure children have the most positive experience possible, it is important that family expectations of the program are in line with what we offer.  Before enrolling, parents are asked to complete a Goodness of Fit Survey to see if Forest School is right for their family.

The Goodness of Fit Survey is designed to assess their ability and/or comfort level with:

Independence – We encourage independence at every turn, from dressing, snack container management, being responsible for their belongings, carrying their own backpacks on hikes, to learning how to assess their own risk when trying something new.

Following directions and rules – Our rules at Forest School are simple and always relate back to being safe, kind, and respectful.  We show kindness to others and respect the plants and animals that call FortWhyte home.

Asking for help – Verbal skills to ask a grown-up or a friend for help are important so that we can do our best to assist them in meeting their needs.

Mud! Snow! Rain!  – Willingness to immerse themselves in nature often involves getting a little wet and dirty.

Does my child need to be toilet trained?

Yes, children must be able to use the toilet independently.  No diapers or pull-ups.  Staff are on hand to help with shedding heavy winter layers so that children can access the bathroom quickly if needed.

How far do the children “hike”?

Many of our days include short nature walks, but occasionally we go on longer “hikes” to other destinations such as the Treehouse or Bison Butte which on average, have a round-trip distance of approximately 1.5 km. On these mini excursions, children may wear their backpacks carrying their snack, water and a change of clothes. We walk at the pace of the group and try not to be in a hurry so we can stop and smell the flowers along the way.  We believe the journey is just as important as the destination!

Are the children outside in all weather?

Yes, with the exception of extreme weather.  When we play outside in all types of weather, it builds resilience and doesn’t leave us waiting for only “nice” days to enjoy the natural world around us. When the weather gets too cold for us to eat our snacks outside without mittens, we head into our heated yurt or cabin to keep warm.  In the case of extreme weather, we have access to indoor spaces for shelter with alternate activities. In case of hazardous road conditions, cancellation of the program would be considered and families would be notified in a timely manner.

Can children with additional needs participate in Forest School?

Our Forest School program is open to everyone despite various disabilities and medical conditions.  However, we do not have the staff capacity to provide individual support for children that require one-on-one assistance.  If your child requires individual support, a family-provided support person may attend Forest School with your child free of charge.