About OuT tHE DooR Forest School

The Philosophy

Being immersed in nature serves as a powerful reminder of our connection to the land and our place in the natural world. The relationship between humans and nature is interdependent, and spending time in nature has been proven to have both short and long-term benefits for our mental and physical well-being.

Children are encouraged to play, explore and learn when they spend time outside and engage with nature. Through hands-on experiences in nature, they can develop important skills, such as gross motor skills and overall fitness. Additionally, being in nature can help improve their attention span, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities and creativity.

Exploring the outdoors can also provide valuable opportunities for children to interact with others and develop their social skills. As they develop a sense of environmental awareness and appreciation, they also gain an understanding of the importance of preserving the natural world.

By encouraging children to engage in nature play, we can support their holistic growth, help them thrive and develop essential life skills.

Read More:
“Nurturing with Nature”
An article from BCTF (B.C. Teachers Federation) from September 2022.

 

Why OuT tHE DooR?

We live in an area which offers us a lot of opportunities to learn in and from nature. The outdoors not only awaits us with big adventures but also with countless small discoveries.

The “OuT tHe DooR” Forest School is open three mornings weekly for different age groups.

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It is located on a private acreage in Errington with a big field surrounded by forest.

The program supports play, exploration and supported risk-taking to develop confidence and self-esteem through learner-inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting. The children tap into sensory perception, practice their balance on ropes, explore rhythm and sounds, dig, build, create and get lost in imaginative play with their friends.

The Forest School mornings are enriched with curricular work. During the guided sessions, the children learn about different subjects combined with nature exploration. During the Forest Play mornings, the children have lots of time to explore and dive into imaginative play and will get some input about nature learning and crafting.

A shelter on the forest's edge will keep us dry and offer us a table to work, play and eat our own snack and lunch.