Join Our Team
Come build the future of childhood with us.
Free Haven Forest School is a nature based education community rooted in faith, stewardship, and deep respect for childhood. Our days are spent outdoors in all seasons, guiding children through meaningful experiences that build resilience, curiosity, and confidence.
This work matters.
It is joyful, physical, demanding, and deeply rewarding.
It is not passive childcare, and it is not a traditional classroom job.
If you feel called to protect childhood, steward land, and walk alongside children as they grow into capable humans, you may be in the right place.
Our strongest team members tend to be people who:
Love being outdoors in all weather and see nature as a teacher
Are calm and grounded
Can guide children through risk, problem solving, and independence
Value faith, community, and purpose driven work
Are reliable, communicative, and self directed
Are willing to learn forest school philosophy, safety practices, and child led education
Are comfortable teaching from a Christian worldview
Understand that this work is active, hands on, and physically demanding
Who thrives at Free Haven
We care far more about who you are than what is on your resume.
Forest school is not a job you watch from the sidelines. Staff are fully engaged in the environment, the children, and the work of the day.
What it’s like to work here
Free Haven is a collaborative, mission driven environment.
We value:
Clear communication and shared responsibility
Mutual support in the field
Strong safety culture without fear based teaching
Respect for staff boundaries and wellbeing
Ongoing learning and mentorship
Our staff are trusted professionals. We provide guidance, training, and structure while honoring individual strengths and leadership.
Expectations and logistics
Transparency matters to us.
Tuition Discounts available for staff
Pay starts at $22 hourly for leads and $15 hourly for aides.
We value shared growth. Team members start at the same base rate, with raises reflecting experience, reliability, and loyalty developed within our school community.
Background checks are required
CPR and First Aid certification are required or provided
Staff must be comfortable working outdoors for extended periods
Training in forest school philosophy and safety practices is required and provided
We take the responsibility of caring for children and land seriously, and we expect the same from our team.
When we hire and how roles work
All positions at Free Haven are part time. Many staff choose to hold more than one role, which allows for a greater or smaller workload depending on availability and season.
We typically begin hiring in January for the following fall school year, and often hire summer staff during that same period. It is rare for us to hire during the school year unless there is an immediate need that must be met.
We welcome applications year round. If you apply during an off season, we will review your application and keep it on file. When hiring opens, we will reach out to candidates who align with our needs and values.
