Forest School: Ages 2.5-10
September - June
Half-Day Drop Off Classes
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Introduce your child to the magic of outdoor learning!
Through play-based exploration and hands-on activities, this class nurtures social-emotional development and builds a strong foundation for kindergarten readiness—all while having fun in nature.
Learning Objectives:Develop social-emotional skills like sharing and cooperation.
Foster independence and self-confidence.
Encourage curiosity and creativity through nature exploration.
Build early literacy, motor skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Snohomish County Locations:
Bothell, Tambark Creek
Lake Stevens, Community Park
Snohomish, Willis Tucker
Clark County Locations:
Vancouver, Salmon Creek
Camas, Lacamas -
For curious explorers ready to take the next step, this class offers an opportunity for advanced play schemes and nature based learning.
Tailored to foster teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving through engaging activities. A perfect way to nurture leadership and prepare for the next stage of learning.Learning Objectives:
Build teamwork and leadership skills through group activities.
Enhance creativity with imaginative play and storytelling.
Strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking through STEM challenges.
Deepen understanding of the natural world.
Snohomish County Locations:
Lake Stevens, Community Park
Snohomish, Willis Tucker
Clark County Locations:
Vancouver, Salmon Creek
Camas, Lacamas -
Let your child’s curiosity thrive in this class designed for homeschoolers and after-school fun. This class combines nature exploration, teamwork, and creative problem-solving to encourage confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for nature.
Learning Objectives:
Develop practical outdoor skills like shelter building.
Enhance teamwork and communication through group challenges.
Build resilience, adaptability, and confidence in an outdoor setting.
Understand ecosystems and environmental stewardship.
Snohomish County Locations:
Snohomish, Willis Tucker
Clark County Locations:
Vancouver, Salmon Creek
Camas, Lacamas
What is Forest School?
Forest Schools are all-weather outdoor education programs that utilize nature immersion and place-based learning to develop cognitive, physical and social-emotional skills in children.
Immersed in the outdoors, children develop confidence, creativity, and resilience while enhancing problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
The Forest School pedagogy typically incorporates philosophies commonly used in Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio-Emilia methods.
Learn more about the Benefits of Forest School here.
Daily Rhythm:
Welcome Circle: After all students arrive and settle, class comes together for a Welcome Circle with stories, songs, stretches, ASL and / or discussions to set the day's themes.
Exploration and Discovery: Unstructured play, fostering development and group relationships. Teachers guide open-ended exploration with emergent curriculum and offer tools such as magnifying glasses, mud kitchen supplies, etc.
Story & Snack Time: Teachers share relevant stories, poems, or songs. Snacks are open to students throughout class (intuitive eating) and reminders are given at this time.
Guided Activities: We focus on seasonal topics, incorporating hands-on learning in science, art, math, literacy, and more.
Goodbye Circle: Reflect on class experiences, and discuss highlights. Conclude with a farewell song and taking turns sharing about our day.
Child-Centered Curriculum
PNWK Forest School’s curriculum emphasizes child-centered, play-based learning, thoughtfully crafted and refined by our team of experienced teachers and outdoor educators.
Grounded in Place-Based Education principles, our curriculum weaves together the seasons, local natural and cultural history, and community connections to teach concepts in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and more. This approach enhances academic achievement, fosters meaningful community ties, nurtures an appreciation for the natural world, and encourages children to become active, contributing members of society.
LOW RATIOS
Small class sizes foster deeper engagement, personalized learning, and strong, trusting relationships between teachers and students.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
We build community through collaboration and open communication, creating a supportive network for families and educators.
NATURE-BASED LEARNING
Nature is our classroom, building confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills while reducing stress and improving well-being. (Learn More)
MIXED-AGE CLASSES
Mixed-age groups foster leadership, patience, and mentoring for older children, while younger ones learn through peer modeling, creating a strong, supportive community.
What PNWK Families Are Saying
“Fantastic teachers, great program and helps kids appreciate nature and each other! We've now sent both our kids to PNWK over the last 4+ years and they both love it. The amount they get to be outside is unmatched to any other program!”
— AJ L. Facebook Review
“Sending our daughter to forest school at PNWK has been an absolute delight! Not only does she come home buzzing with excitement about sap and lichen, but she also asks thought-provoking questions like ‘is the sky the earth’s lid?”
— Lisa C. Yelp Review
“My 3-year-old absolutely loves it. The teachers are not only friendly but also incredibly patient and caring. The activities are so fun and we get to see photos of what they’re up to. They strike a perfect balance between play and learning.”