What is a Forest and Nature School?

 

You may have heard the term "Forest Kindergarten" or "Wild School" or any one of a number of names tagged in the Forest and Nature School Paradigm. The basis of the Forest and Nature School movement, centres on the desire to engage children and youth with their local environment, through child-directed experiences. These experiences may take place in a city park, open green space, or National Forest but what takes place is the same - Children at play in Nature. The goal remains the same: the child will create deeper connections with Nature through play, exploration, and a natural curiosity that is fueled by skilled educators who mentor students on their journey. 

Facilitators follow in the footprints made by the child and observe their learning closely. The child is the leader and the educator is their support, asking questions to probe their ideas and offering the tools and resources that enable the child to explore new worlds of their own curiosity. The facilitator sees themselves as a mentor/guide and understands the child to be naturally curious, capable, and competent.

What is a Farm School?

 

Do you ever wonder what it takes to grow your own food? Or maybe you have wondered where bacon comes from? Can you answer the question: what is companion planting? Farm school teaches children agricultural literacy and empowers them to build their own food supply chain. As the saying goes, give someone a fish and they will eat for one night, show someone to fish and they will never go hungry.

Children learn a great deal from caring for animals and plants, including a deeper sense of empathy, kindness, and resilience. A farm is a great place to explore science, husbandry, and culinary skills but more than that, it is a great place to get your hands and feet dirty and to have a lot of fun. 

 

Available Programs

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Furnace Falls Farm and Forest School

FALL 2022 Registration is OPEN

Why Furnace Falls Farm?

Did you know that Wendy's Market in Lyndhurst used to be a School? It did and now the owner of Wendy's Market and Furnace Falls Farm is teaming up with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network to bring this great, new experience to the Lyndhurst Community.

Lyndhurst is a beautiful area, in the middle of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. The relationship between people and their environment is very special here. Food production and agriculture is an important part of this community, as is time spent outdoors on the many lakes and hiking trails. At Furnace Falls Farm, we learn the importance of growing good, local food WITH nature. It is here that we will find the gentle balance between human needs and those of Mother Nature.

Join us for our child-inspired program on Tuesday or Thursday or come for all three days! Every day at the Farm and Forest School is different, motivated by the changes that the seasons bring to the land and led by the individual interests of our students. Our programs are designed by outdoor professionals and experienced educators with a passion for Nature-Based Learning.

Program Details:

Hours: 8:30am to 3:30pm

Age: 5 to 12 years old

Children will help to prepare food we forage from the gardens into delicious treats and snacks that they can enjoy with friends. 

Daily programs are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week, for 10 consecutive weeks. When you register for a program day, you are registering for 10 dates (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday).  

Cost: $50 per day = $500 per session.

Start Date: September 20th 

End Date: November 24th

Location: 504 Old Briar Hill Road, Lyndhurst ON

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Mac Johnson Forest and Nature School 

FALL 2022 Registration is OPEN

Why Mac Johnson Wildlife Area?

Did you know that Mac Johnson already hosts a great Summer Nature Camp and Outdoor Education Programs? Mac Johnson is not only a beautiful space but it is a FABulous place for Nature-Based learning and exploration. With a pond, forested trail system, wild flower gardens, tree nursery, and green spaces, Mac Johnson has many different ecosystems to connect with. Just a few minutes North of Brockville, this Conservation Area by the city is accessible and inviting.

Join us for our child-inspired program on Monday mornings! Every day at the Farm and Forest School is different, motivated by the changes that the seasons bring to the land and led by the individual interests of our students. Our programs are designed by outdoor professionals and experienced educators with a passion for Nature-Based Learning.

Program Details:

Half Days: 9 to 12pm  /  Cost: $25 per day

Full Days: 9 to 3pm  /  Cost: $45 per day

Age: 4 to 11 years old

Start Date: September 19th 

End Date: November 25th

Daily programs are offered on Monday mornings, for 10 consecutive weeks. When you register for a program day, you are registering for 10 dates.  

***Please note that we do not have class on Monday October 10th.

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Call of the Wild - REGISTRATION IS OPEN

It's a time of plenty in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region. The harvest is coming in from the fields and the animals are starting to replenish their caches. Under every rock, log, and branch, changes are happening and waiting for you to explore them. From frogs and turtles, to muddy hills, migrating birds, and sleepy mammals, each day will welcome a new celebration of the land and the animals. We cannot wait to get our hands and feet dirty with you, as we put on our splash pants, dust off the hammocks, and to light those campfires. Join us for 10 weeks of forest wanders, nature connections, and friendly encounters. Stick around long enough and we might even see the first hints of snow. Meet new friends, wander the forests and uncover the nature mysteries of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. Our mornings are a fun mix of forest play, reading, experimentation, and challenge. In the afternoon, we will fill our bellies, play games, get creative, and use our imaginations to the have the most magnificent adventures with our new friends. Prepare to be inspired.

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***Subsidies may be available for Furnace Falls Farm and Forest School and the Forest and Nature School at Mac Johnson. Please contact kelly@fabn.ca if you would like to discuss available options.