Bring your class to forest school!
Take your primary school class to forest school so your students can learn in and from nature.
Flexible to suit your class
- For children age 2-12
- Sessions 2-4 hours long
- One-time or series
- Led by a certified Forest School Practitioner
- Adapted to your curriculum
- French or English
Supports learning & growth
- Practical hands-on learning
- Build connection to and respect for nature
- Learn biology, ecology, conservation, physics, math, and more
- Support physical and mental health
*Available March to June 2026*
Why learn outside?
Children today play outside in nature less than children ever have, and it has serious effects on their physical and mental health as well as on their understanding of and love for nature.
Playing outside helps children build a real relationship with nature, contectualize classroom learning, get more physical exercise, learn mindful practices that support mental health, and grow up into thriving adults who protect the planet. This is especially true for children whose learning style makes classroom learning harder.
Forest school gives children the opportunity to do all that while learning outside!
Benefits of forest school for young children
- Learn about plants, animals, and the environment in a concrete way they can understand
- Practice math, literacy, and other foundational skills in a new way
- Build social skills through open child-led learning
- Learn to love and respect nature by creating a real connection
- Get more exercise and fresh air to promote physical health
- Experience how the outdoors can improve concentration, learning, and mental health
Nature-based learning that supports your curriculum
Forest school activities change every day based on what our environment provides us. Every session is a new adventure! Possible activities are endless.
Your forest school day can be as structured or unstructured as you want. If you wish, we can match your forest school experience to your curriculum to support your classroom learning.
A few examples of what we can do and learn at forest school
- Catch, handle, and identify insects, frogs, or more (fine motor control, pattern recognition, ecology, animal needs, respect for animals)
- Track and identify animal prints in the snow (pattern recognition, physical activity, ecology, animal behavior, imagination)
- Collect and identify different plants and leaves (pattern recognition, matching and sorting, plant biology, ecology, fine motor control)
- Climb logs, trees, rocks, or more (gross motor skills, planning, problem solving, math and physics concepts)
- Explore trails, create maps, and discover ecosystems (physical activity, math and physics concepts, ecology, observation, memory, writing)
- Build shelters with sticks, rocks, or more (fine and gross motor skills, planning, problem solving, math and physics concepts)
- Role play and imaginary play (endless learning possibilities!)
Rain, snow, or shine…
We can learn outside!
A kindergarten class explores the forest
Learning from shells, beaver logs, and more!
To learn more, contact Valleyfield joue dehors
What if the weather is bad?
Forest school happens rain, snow, or shine. In fact, rain and snow create great new learning opportunities for children! The only time we would cancel is if the weather was dangerous, for example extreme heat or cold, high winds, or ice.
How do you handle risk?
Forest school sessions are led by a trained and certified Forest School Practitioner who assesses and manages risk both before and during the session. Risk is assessed at three levels: location, activity, and dynamic. The practitioner can share all risk assessments with you in advance. Forest school embraces risk because it increases confidence and learning for children, but we ensure that serious injury is extremely unlikely.
Where and when can we do forest school?
Forest school does not require large wilderness! We can do it in any local park with a forested or nature area. Beaches, creeks, and fields are also great. If you’re not sure where to go, we can figure it out together. Forest school is available in sessions of at least 2 hours and maximum 4 hours, any time during the school day.
What is the pricing?
This is a new program for Valleyfield joue dehors, so we are offering 5 sessions for free to the first 5 classes to try it. In exchange, we ask for feedback on the program to improve it.
Can the children eat lunch or snack outside?
Absolutely! Eating outside is another great learning opportunity for the children.
How many children can come?
One class at a time can come to forest school. Your school is welcome to bring multiple classes on different days! Valleyfield Joue Dehors will provide 1 Forest School Practitioner for your session. We recommend that you bring enough adults (teachers, parents, etc) to keep the ratio at 1:6 or 1:8.