Forest Explorers
A part-time forest school option for homeschool students in grades K-5. Study hands-on history and science outdoors!
What is Forest Explorers?
Forest explorers is a part-time nature immersion for Kindergarten through 5th grade students meant to be used as a supplement to traditional academic learning. Forest Explorers will be split into 3 groups, K-1, 2nd-3rd grade and 4th-5th grade students. Groups may be combined based on enrollment. Focusing on hands-on science and history exploration, Choose to enroll 1-4 days per week during the school year. The curriculum is student-directed, experiential, and designed to encourage hands-on learning in a natural environment. It includes a mix of outdoor activities like hiking, and nature observation, along with hands-on exploration of science and history in an outdoor setting.
The Logistics
Ready for more info? Current tuition, program updates, and calendars can be found here!
Core Focus
Forest explorers is a part-time nature immersion for Kindergarten through 5th grade meant to be used as a supplement to traditional academic learning. Subjects will alternate each day as students study history on Mondays, science on Tuesdays, history on Thursdays and science on Fridays. Each history and science class will be a unique hands-on study into science and history topics. Subject matter will go deeper with fresh activities in each class. Register for each group and class day separately. Choose to enroll 1-4 days per week.
History, Science and Lifelong Learning
Forest school leans heavily on social-emotional development which directly impacts academic development. Our main focus is instilling a love for learning in students that will last a lifetime. We believe school should be fun and hands-on, filled with experiential learning and opportunities for children to pursue their interests and advance with confidence.
FAQs
-
Dress for the weather, we meet outside rain or shine! Each class, your child will be immersed in nature learning science and history and working on child-led projects with their peers in a mixed-age environment. Whether we're studying birds, pioneer life, using real tools, or tapping trees for maple sap, your child will be under the direction and supervision of two of our trained forest school teachers. This class will help your child build confidence, independence, problem solving skills, critical thinking and collaboration. Many of these skills translate directly into academics and will help students excel in every task and learning subject. Combining multiple grade levels has amazing benefits including leadership skills peer learning, and enhanced collaboration.
-
Our science and history curriculum is blended between core knowledge studies, and project wild adventures and activities. Not only will be be studying history and science topics that meet standards for grade levels, but we’ll also have hands-on activities correlating to what we’re studying. Overall, the curriculum in forest school is designed to support the holistic development of the child, with an emphasis on personal, social, and emotional growth alongside academic skills. As we deep-dive into topics, student-directed projects will commence.
-
Forest explorers will meet during the school year on Tuesdays, Thursdays from 9am-12pm. Choose to enroll 1-2 days per week. Our low-ratio class is limited to 18 students with a ratio of at least 1:9.
-
This program will meet at our private forest school site in Mokena, IL with access to our heated nature center building during inclement weather.
-
1. Submit an application and fee.
2. Attend an open house date for a tour and orientation.
3. If there is space on the day(s) you requested, you will start the registration process.
4. If there is not space, you will be added to the waitlist until a spot opens up for you.
-
Due to our small class sizes and large demand, new students must submit an application to enroll. There is a non-refundable $25 fee associated with the application. Once an application is submitted, applicants will be invited to tour our facility and attend a mini orientation to make sure forest school is the best fit before committing to the school year. If there is no space, applicants will be placed on a waiting list for the remainder of the school year. Registration will be filled based on the date you attend a tour/orientation.
There’s no such thing as bad weather.
Our motto at forest school is: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." Appropriate clothing for Forest School is CRITICAL to the success of the program. Clothing guidelines are available in the parent handbook. Our experienced teachers will be there to guide you every step of the way to ensure the safety of students in all weather situations. During periods of inclement weather, students will be gathered indoors, or class will be cancelled if necessary.
