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Year-long Nature School

Forest Learners Elementary

Grades 1 to 3

North VANCOUVER

9:30AM to 3PM

6,750 + tax

$50 Application Fee (non-refundable)

The Forest Learners Program is an immersive four-day-per-week nature-based program that allows children to learn life, naturalist, and survival skills alongside math, reading, writing, and science. The program sets learners up for a life of deep nature connection, resiliency, positive learning, and total comfort in the natural world. Each year, the students continue with their same cohort, and the curriculum adapts to the kids’ ages as they grow older.

Mission

To deliver outdoor education that prioritizes embodied nature connection, social-emotional support, and experiential learning in the delivery of BC curriculum.

Values

  • Teaching to the whole child and meeting learners where they are at
  • Creating meaningful connection to the natural world, community, and others
  • Encouraging play, imagination, and a sense of awe in all we do
  • Fostering a community where mentors, teachers, and parents are all involved in the learning of a child

See the Forest Learners Info Session Recap and Q&A

To join the Forest Learner Program, fill out the form to register your interest. We will contact you based on your preferences to have a conversation about what you are looking for in your child’s education program and determine together if we are the right fit. Then, your child can join an in-person visit week, and if everything is seamless, we will take a deposit upon acceptance.

Program Highlights

  • Two full days of Soaring Eagle Nature School programming in the forest, providing deep learning of naturalist and survival skills, as well as math, reading, writing, science, and more
  • Two indoor/outdoor days at Camp Capilano with large and flexible common areas, a kitchen, fireplace, fire pit and nature trails at our doorstep. This day is also mixed with academic study, with a BC Certified teacher.
  • Small class size (14-15 kids) and high adult to child ratio (1:7)
  • Project and passion-based learning approaches to the BC core curriculum 
  • Field trips to explore different ecosystems and habitats
  • A focus on crafting, such as weaving, sewing, making cordage, and more
  • Survival skills such as carving, shelter building, navigation, wildlife tracking, mammal ID, bird language, and edible and medicinal plants
  • Song, theatre, music, and art
  • A non-coercive, gentle, and feelings-based approach to communication and play
  • Emphasis on emotional awareness, compassion, and gratitude

Program Details

Mondays, Thursdays – Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve
Tuesdays, Wednesdays – Camp Capilano

Siblings receive a 10% discount

2023-24 DATES

First day:  Sept 11, 2023

No program due to stat holidays: Oct 9, Feb 19, April 1, May 20

Last day before Winter Break: Dec 14

Program resumes from Winter Break: Jan 8

Last day before Spring Break: March 14

Program resumes from Spring Break: April 2

Last day: June 6, 2023

*Please note within these dates there will be field trips as well as pro-d days that will be added to the school calendar.
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Testimonials

What Families are Saying

“Our son loves the Forest Learners program! Not only does he get to spend his days outdoors with a small group of kids and caring instructors, he is learning about the natural world while developing age appropriate skills in literacy and numeracy. This is what school should look like for all students – outdoors, integrated and full of joy!” – Magda, Forest Learners Parent

“This year, the Forest Learners program has been a gift to our child and to our family. This program is deeply rooted in a holistic approach to child development. From physical and emotional development to embodied and cerebral learning, we feel like THIS is the way to learn. We are so grateful for this program and the incredible teachers who guide our child into new levels of knowledge, problem-solving skills, and very importantly, confidence.” – Carla, Forest Learners Parent

    “Our 6 year-old son looks forward to forest school each and every day – in all weather. He has learned so much about the rhythms of the seasons, about flora and fauna, and about how to co-exist with (and in) nature. More than that, he has learned how to sit and listen, how to tell stories, and how to notice what’s around him. Our son shows us daily that this is the right ‘schooling’ experience for his body, mind, and spirit.” – Geordie, Forest Learners Parent