What We Do

We are a forest school for families and strive to provide opportunities to explore the outdoors in and around the Louisville area. We connect our members with each other while they learn about our local environment and gain new skills along the way.

We meet twice a week at various outdoor locations in and around Louisville. Free play and socialization is the main goal. We sometimes provide materials that the children can use with the goal of learning a new skill or developing knowledge, or a short activity, but participation in all our offerings is voluntary and there is no pressure to join in. Often the children will continue with their own self chosen play and we honor and value that.

During the growing season we manage an organic garden plot at Blackacre Nature Conservancy where we meet to work on the garden, visit with the animals and explore the homestead site.

We believe children learn best when they are given the freedom to interact with their environment in autonomous ways. We encourage multi-age free play in enriching outdoor environments and observe our young members growing and learning as a natural result.

 

Things to know

  • Our locations change weekly, you will need to be a member of our group to get all the details.

  • We meet Mondays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm; we take seasonal breaks mid-summer, Thanksgiving week, and about a week or two around Christmas.

  • We are not a drop off program. Children will need to attend with an adult.

  • Members are encouraged to participate in providing activities, but are not expected to.

  • Most of our families are homeschoolers but this is not a requirement for membership.

  • Our membership fee is currently $60 per year per family.

  • Each child is the responsibility of the adult that brought them to the meet-up

  • Our members are typically families with children ranging from preschoolers through to middle-schoolers, but there are no age requirements.

  • Attendants must have read and comply with our Community Agreement.

  • We schedule field trips 1-2 times per month, times sometimes are earlier based on the location availability.