Historically, learning from being in the outdoors is as old as mankind itself. We experience the world around us and gain knowledge from the environment of which we are part. Spending time in nature is an education and nature is a classroom of the earth. The Forest environment is a place to live, learn, and explore. The Forest is, in fact, a great Teacher.
Forest Schools are slightly different than outdoor learning in general in that with Forest Schools people return at regular intervals to learn from the outdoors – and often return to a specific area to learn.
There is a Canadian Guide to Forest Schools. This is an excellent publication for those who wish to have a greater understanding of how Forest Schools evolved from international roots and what is happening today in Canada with Forest Schools.
Image Source:https://woodlandclassroom.com/schools/forest-school/
Here is an excerpt from the guide and associated link to the complete information provided.
Forest School is an educational approach, and program of delivery, that has existed since the late 1950s, with thousands of programs expanding the world over, starting in Denmark and Sweden, moving through Scandinavia, onto Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and now Canada. Although Forest School is called by many different names, (e.g., Nature Kindergarten, Outdoor School, Waldkindergarten, Rain or Shine School, Bush School), in Canada two prominent names are taking hold: Forest School and Nature School. In this guide, we have chosen to refer to our work as Forest and Nature School (FNS) to reflect what is happening in Canada to date.
Source: Excerpt from the Forest School Canada’s Guide https://childnature.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/FSC-Guide-1.pdf
The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada offers training resources for the certification of Forest and Nature School Practitioners
https://childnature.ca/forest-school-canada/
Additional resources:
https://courier.unesco.org/en/articles/learning-among-trees-denmark
https://training.forestschools.com/outdoor-learning-vs-forest-schools-video
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220105-how-asia-fell-in-love-with-forest-schools
https://www.ourkids.net/school/forest-schools
https://wildandimmersive.ubc.ca/
https://youtu.be/Jkiij9dJfcw?feature=shared
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/fall2021/take-it-outside
https://childnature.ca/about-forest-and-nature-school/
https://en.ccunesco.ca/idealab/indigenous-land-based-education
https://www.growingwildforestschool.org/
International Research Teaching Forests Incorporated’s mission is to educate and encourage the sustainable use of Forests. Considering many exciting ways to interact with the Forest, we are looking to gauge interest in the possibility of establishing a Forest School for Children in Glendale adjacent to the Research Forest Field Station. Our location is unique and favorable as it is rural, a portion of a magnificent ancient Forest, and also is located directly adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway for easy access to the location. The site offers an amazingly beautiful area of the Forest conducive to experience, adventure, and exploration.
To achieve such a development goal, a strong team of interested experts is required. We are interested in accessibility for mentally, physically, and emotionally challenged members of our community, and meeting with organizations that would like to discuss creative potential to assist with identified needs.
Should you have expertise related to Forest Schools, outdoor education qualifications, perhaps have an interest in gaining expertise in this field, or are considering having your children potentially participate in a Forest School, we would be delighted to have a conversation with you, Contact us!
