What is Family Forest School all about?
Our mission is to encourage independence, build math & science skills, collaborative teamwork, and nature-based curriculum for 3 - 7 year olds and their families in the Morgantown, West Virginia area.
Discover New Places To Explore the Forest
Unsure where to go in the Morgantown area to enjoy the forest with your child? I got you!
Each week we will explore a new location. You'll discover great places to visit the forest, even outside of forest school!
Create With Natural Materials
This Spring we will offer two sessions - one Thursday mornings and one Saturday mornings. Sessions run for eight weeks from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM.
Each week families are presented with three nature-based invitations to explore. These might include art projects with nature materials, exploring the world from the eyes of an animal, identifying and caring for local flora, or interactive games as a group.
Find Joy In Nature
Teach your child to see beauty in the nature around them, from the giant trees to the tiny spiderwebs, and feel a connection so deep that they grow up to be good stewards of their world.
This program encourages your child to play, explore, and take supervised risks in order to build confidence and knowledge of the natural world.
Fall Family Forest School Details
Join us Saturday or Thursday mornings from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM for eight weeks this fall.
Each week we will visit a different park or State Forest within an hour of Morgantown. There will be different nature-based activities at each location for children aged 3 - 7 to explore.
We will focus on math, science, and a deep appreciation for what nature has to offer us.
The Saturday school will begin Saturday, April 6th and end Saturday May 25th, with a contingency session on Saturday June 1st.
The Thursday school will begin Thursday, April 4th and end Thursday May 23rd , with a contingency session on Thursday May 30th.
We are currently finalizing our Spring schedule with locations and will provide it to registered families by March 30th.
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New Locations Each Week
Each week, we explore a new location within an hour of Morgantown.
Weekly Themes
Exploration
Flora and Fauna
Teamwork
Practical/Survival Skills
Imagination
Senses in the Forest
Observing Changes
Geography
Sounds of the Forest
Earth Art
Forests of the Future
3 Nature-Based Activities Each Week
Each week's activities will build your child's skills in math, art, teamwork, imagination, science, and build their confidence in nature.
Spring BONUS #1
This spring the first week we will be tie-dying t-shirts in fall colors for forest school. Your child's registration includes a free t-shirt!
(Additional child and adult t-shirts available to tie-dye for $15 each, just let us know what you need so we have them available.)
Spring BONUS #2
Each registered child gets a free survival bracelet with an integrated compass or a magnifying glass necklace.
(Got an older or younger kid that wants one too? Just let me know and I can provide additional for $10 each.)
Spring Family Forest School Pricing
Forest School pricing is family friendly!
First child is $175 for the eight week session. Each additional child is an additional $29.
Each registrant also gets a free bonus t-shirt and survival band.
Siblings outside the age range, parents, grandparents and friends are welcome to join us!
What Parents Are Saying about Family Forest School
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can't attend all of the weeks?
If you miss a week, no big deal! Jump right in where you left off the following week when you return.
What if it's raining or it snows?
We hold forest school in all kinds of weather - but not dangerous weather.
If there is lightning or the roads are icy, we will reschedule for another week.
Otherwise, be prepared with rain boots and snow pants to enjoy nature in all it's glory!
This sounds awesome! But I can't this session. How can I find out about future sessions?
We totally get it! Family life is busy.
You can sign up here to get an email about future forest school sessions.
Can I bring my children under the age of 3?
Yes! We want this program to be inclusive of family members. Please bring your children under 3 or over 7! They can join at no cost (but don't get a t-shirt or a wrist band).
We only recommend that if your child is not walking competently, that you plan on using a baby carrier and not a stroller at most locations. Don't have one? Let us know! We can provide one.
What's your COVID-19 Policy?
Forest School is held 100% outdoors. We hope that our school will not be affected by COVId-19. However, the school will follow all Health Department Regulations concerning outdoor gatherings, and we will reschedule for the future if necessary to ensure everyone has a fun and safe forest school experience.
I signed up and didn't get an email! What do I do?
Sometimes our emails end up under SPAM or Promotions.
Search your email for subjects containing [Forest School] or email me at katie@monforestschool.org. Then whitelist these emails to ensure they go to your inbox!