Give your kid one day a week to relax, connect, and play in nature
The Forest School group brings together 8-10 children to play in nature one day a week. Kids get wide-open free play, with lots of opportunities for physical activity, mindfulness, learning, and friendship. Two teachers guide the group and help the children build confidence, leadership skills, and a respect and love for nature.
For kids age 3-8
All children must be potty trained (and able to pee outside if necessary).
Children younger than 3 or children who are not potty trained can attend if an adult comes with them.
Children older than 8 may attend, with the understanding that the activities won’t be adapted to their age range.
Meeting in public parks in the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield region
Starting at Parc Des Îles de St-Timothé
Fridays 8:30am to 3:30am
Half-day options available
September 13 – November 29 (12 weeks)
December 6 and 13 will be make up days in case a day is canceled for extreme weather or teacher sickness
“Fridays?? My kid can’t go on Fridays, they’re in school!”
Yep, so is mine! Forest school isn’t only for homeschooled kids. Lots of schools give permission for children to miss one day a week to go to their local forest school. Check with your school and see! If you need help communicating with the school, I’m happy to give you some material.
A day in the woods, forest school style
8:30-9:00 – Arrival – The children arrive and we play near the drop-off spot
9:00 – Morning Circle – The children decide together what to do this morning
9:30-11:30 – Free Play
11:30-12:30 – Lunch – We eat outside while the morning children leave and the afternoon children arrive
12:30 – Afternoon Circle – The children decide together what to do this afternoon
1:00-3:00 – Free Play
3:00-3:30 – Pick Up – Pick up time while we play near the pick-up spot
What do kids do at forest school?
- Climb trees
- Play with sticks
- Hike
- Meet animals
- Build with snow or sticks
- Imaginary play
- Mud cooking
- Races and tag
- Read books
- Write or draw in mud
- Play with ropes or knots
- Find insects
FAQs
Isn’t this kind of play risky?
The forest school philosophy embraces reasonable risk. Every risk that children take is carefully assessed to make sure that the benefits of that activity are worth the small risk involved. That means that yes, children may get scrapes or bruises, but injuries are extremely rare. Benefits to risky activity include building confidence, learning new physical skills, learning how to keep themselves safe, and more.
Are you really outside all day?
In most cases, yes. If it’s very cold or wet, we may find an indoor spot to take breaks during the day. But we’re usually outside the whole time! It’s just like camping.
Does it get canceled for bad weather?
Forest school is canceled in the case of extreme heat, extreme cold, thunderstorms, or other severe weather. Basically, if it would be physically dangerous to be outside. But we’re out there in rain or snow – those aren’t dangerous, they’re fun!
Shouldn’t there be snack time in the schedule too?
Kids are allowed to eat whenever they like throughout the day. Since the kids are exercising more than usual, they may want to eat more frequently too. We recommend that families pack more food than they usually work for a school day!
What does free play mean?
For almost the whole day, children are free to play however they want. We agree as a group on certain limits for safety, and then the kids can do whatever they want! Children are never forced to participate in certain activities or to do things as a group if they don’t want to. The adults follow the kids, not the other way around.
How do you work learning or mindfullness into the day?
Learning happens nonstop at forest school! As children encounter animals or plants they’re curious about, we help them learn more about them. Children learn about math and physics as they climb or build in the forest. We talk often about ecosystems, water cycles, and other phenomena we encounter. Children are curious and love learning, so we guide them to learn as much as they’d like about the natural world we explore. Every forest school day also includes moments where we encourage the kids to quietly listen or look at the forest. By exploring their senses with activities and suggestions, we teach children how to slow down and observe. This is the foundation of mindfulness and meditation, and very beneficial to kids’ mental health.
Ready to join us?
To sign up, simply:
- Fill out the registration form by selecting a button below
- Send your payment via Interac e-transfer to valleyfieldjouedehors @ gmail.com (pricing options below)
You will receive the detailed parent info packet when you register.
Pricing Options
I am committed to making Valleyfield Joue Dehors as accessible as I possibly can, because I believe in the importance of giving every child time to play in nature. That’s why I offer a sliding scale where you can choose the price that works for your family.
**Note: I trust everyone in our community to choose their option honestly. If people misuse this system, then sadly the forest school program will not last long.**
For every option, it is possible to pay in two installments (one before September 12 and one before October 23). To use this option, simply send half the payment when you register.
Full Day
Limited Income Families
$427
per 12-week program, full day
This option is for families who are not able to pay the full price. This price covers the insurance and the assistant teacher’s salary, but does not cover my salary (as the head teacher) or any admin costs. This means I’m working for free. I’m happy to do that to make forest school more accessible, but as a single mom myself, I won’t be able to run forest school for long if people choose this option dishonestly.
Regular Price
$614
per 12-week program, full day
This is the option for you if your family has stable finances and you’re able to afford kids’ activities. This price covers both teachers’ salaries, insurance, and the admin necessary to run this website.
Community Supporters
$747
per 12-week program, full day
This option is for families that want to support outdoor play in our community. The extra funding given here is what allows me to offer a discount to families that need it. These extra funds will also be used to bring in speakers, especially Indigenous speakers, to the group.
Half Day
On the registration form, you will have the chance to indicate whether you would like morning or afternoon.
Limited Income Families
$250
per 12-week program, half day
This option is for families who are not able to pay the full price. This price covers the insurance and the assistant teacher’s salary, but does not cover my salary (as the head teacher) or any admin costs. This means I’m working for free. I’m happy to do that to make forest school more accessible, but as a single mom myself, I won’t be able to run forest school for long if people choose this option dishonestly.
Regular Price
$350
per 12-week program, half day
This is the option for you if your family has stable finances and you’re able to afford kids’ activities. This price covers both teachers’ salaries, insurance, and the admin necessary to run this website.
Community Supporters
$400
per 12-week program, half day
This option is for families that want to support the forest school. The extra funding given here is what allows me to offer a discount to families that need it. These extra funds will also be used to bring in speakers, especially Indigenous speakers, to the group.
Per Day
If you would like to register for individual days or half-days instead of for the entire 12-week program, this is the pricing. You will be able to indicate which days you want to register for on the registration form.
Half Day
$35
per half day
This price covers one morning or one afternoon of attendance.
Full Day
$60
per day
This price covers one full day of attendance.