OUT THE DOOR FOREST SCHOOL
ENRICHED NATURE LEARNING

The Out the Door Forest School is an enriched nature learning program. It is located on a private acreage in Errington and is open three mornings a week for different age groups. The area is surrounded by forest and has a large field.

The Outdoors offers us a range of possibilities to explore and learn in and from nature. It is not only the big adventure that awaits us out there but also the tiny finds. I love enriching the children’s wonder with age-appropriate academics to spark their learning and growth. It is beautiful to witness how children catch on to a spark and carry it into their world of imagination, discovery and play. 

It is right there, out the Door. 

If we learn about trees in the fall, we can plant a seed, look for saplings, and observe how fast a tree changes over a few weeks. We can learn words around trees and lay patterns with different natural materials trees provide to us. 

If we examine the materials used in our daily lives, we can determine which natural resources are used. We can sort manmade and raw materials, experiment with them, or learn their different shapes. If we know about structure, we can build a gnome village, a shelter, or a bridge over that creek that is cutting off our trail. Then, there is always the weather component we must work with and take the challenge of staying warm and dry enough. This allows us to learn about natural consequences and adapt to situations. 

With every child’s different personality and experience, they all have an individual pace and comfort zone to immerse themselves in the Outdoors. While some take cautious steps along the trail, others roam through the thicket and wade through the creek. They observe, try, problem-solve, get bolder and creative, learn from each other and build friendships.

By encouraging children to engage in nature play and exploration, we can support their holistic growth, help them thrive and develop essential life skills. As they create a sense of environmental awareness and appreciation, they also understand the importance of preserving the natural world. Being immersed in nature is 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 short- and long-term benefits for our mental and physical well-being.

My training as a Kindergarten teacher, school social worker and experiential outdoor education leader set a foundation for my passion for children and the Outdoors. I have several years of experience leading children and youth in outdoor camps and working as a Counsellor for elementary and high school students. I am a mother of two young boys and enjoy expressing my musical and crafty side.