Explore Our Programs

What is Forest School?

Our year-round programs take place in local parks, forests, and along creeks, where children engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences such as nature art, campfires, foraging, flora and fauna identification, active games, and land stewardship.

We blend guided activities with unstructured play, storytelling, and time to explore freely—allowing learning to unfold organically through curiosity, exploration, and discovery. In this supportive, mixed-age environment, children grow socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively while forming deep, lasting connections to nature.

We value:

  • Play-based, inquiry-driven learning

  • Ongoing connection to place and nature

  • Holistic development

  • The learning process as much as the outcome

  • Fostering a strong sense of community with our families

For full benefits of community building - long term immersion is recommended and we prioritize those who can commit to all 3 seasons.

Every day is unique—but always rooted in nature, connection, and meaningful experience.

  • Explorers (Ages 5-10)

    Mondays 10:00am-1:30pm
    Drop-Off only
    Located at our home base park in Mission BC

    Fall ( Sept - Nov ) 10 weeks $430

    Winter ( Jan - March )  10 weeks $430

    Spring ( April - June ) 10 weeks $430

    This class is for independent children who love to explore, create, and learn through hands-on experiences in nature. Guided by experienced mentors, children discover plants, insects, seasonal changes, and outdoor life skills while building confidence, friendships, and a meaningful connection to the natural world.

    Through healthy, age-appropriate risk-taking, nature art, basic survival skills, STEM challenges, group collaboration, problem-solving activities, creative projects, and plenty of free play, children are encouraged to follow their curiosity and develop a sense of adventure. Each session balances exploration, learning, and fun in a supportive outdoor environment.

    As the seasons change, children grow familiar with our home park and its plants, animals, and natural cycles, while experiencing nature’s beauty throughout the year.

    * fully outdoors, Shelter & washrooms available

    We prioritize applicants who can commit to the full school year to support meaningful, long-term connections, while also considering ongoing applications as spaces open up.

    Apply

  • Wild Roots (Ages 5-10)

    Wednesdays 10:00am-1:30pm
    Drop-Off‍ ‍/ Stay & Play
    Located at our Home base park in Mission BC

    Fall ( Sept - Nov ) 11 weeks $475

    Winter ( Jan - March ) 10 weeks $430

    Spring ( April - June ) 11 weeks  $475

    This class is for families seeking a welcoming, nature-based community where children can explore, create, and learn through play. Perfect for fun-loving, energetic wildlings, it offers plenty of opportunities to roam, imagine, build, and discover in the great outdoors.

    Through hands-on, child-led experiences, kids develop outdoor skills, teamwork, and confidence while following their natural curiosity in a supportive, nature-rich environment. Whether they're climbing, creating, exploring, or playing games with friends, each day is filled with adventure and connection.

    Parents are welcome to stay and play, building relationships with other families while sharing in the activities and community experience.

    * Clear criminal record check required for parent volunteers

    * fully outdoors, Shelter & washrooms available

    We prioritize applicants who can commit to the full school year to support meaningful, long-term connections, while also considering ongoing applications as spaces open up.

    Apply

  • Adventurers (Ages 10-14)

    Fridays 10:00am-2:00pm
    Drop off only
    Located at various nature destinations in Mission BC

    Fall ( Sept - Nov ) 11 weeks $535

    Winter ( Jan - March ) 10 weeks $485

    Spring ( April - June ) 11 weeks $535

    This class is for youth who enjoy outdoor adventure and learning through hands-on experiences. Throughout the year, participants build practical skills like fire making, hiking, shelter building, paddling, and foraging, while also working on creative projects, volunteering in the community, and playing active group games. In a fast-paced world, we also offer space to slow down, unwind, and reconnect with nature. Youth develop confidence, teamwork, and friendships in a supportive nature-based setting for home learners. There is plenty of time for free play, taking a deep breath, and simply enjoying being outdoors with peers in a low pressure environment which often is what youth need the most.

    We go on adventures at various locations within Mission.

    *Parents responsible for transportation

    * fully outdoors, Shelter & washrooms available at most locations but not all .

    We prioritize applicants who can commit to the full school year to support meaningful, long-term connections, while also considering ongoing applications as spaces open up.

    Apply

  • *NEW Family Nature POD

    Expression of interest

    Potential new class taking root

    Thursdays 10am-12:30pm
    Active parent engagement required

    Geared towards ages 3-6


    Located at our home base park in Mission BC.

    Prices are charged per family group (up to 3 people). Additional fees apply for any extra participants.

    Fall ( Sept - Nov ) 10 weeks $300

    Winter ( Jan - March ) 8 weeks $240

    Spring ( April - June ) 10 weeks $300

    A gentle, lower-cost, nature-based community pod for young families with children ages 3–6.

    An older sibling is welcome to join in as helpful hands.

    An experienced Nature mentor, parents and caregivers will work together to co-create each gathering, creating a relaxed, engaging and supportive space where children can explore, play, and connect outdoors along side their special people. Rather than formal instruction, the focus is on free play, creativity, and meaningful community connection, with occasional simple activities, crafts, stories, shared snacks, tea time and nature invitations offered throughout the day by participating families and leader.

    Ideal for young families looking to create meaningful connections with others beginning their homeschooling journey. Our days are guided by the children’s interests, with parents actively co-creating, participating, and supporting alongside their children every step of the way.

    Grounded in community, connection and a shared appreciation for nature.

    *Fully outdoors with washrooms and shelter available

    Please fill out the application if interested and leave a bit of info about your family.

    We will reach out to you via email with further details as this takes shape for the fall season

    Apply

What Awaits in the Woods

  • Through hands-on, play-based experiences, children develop confidence, independence, and resilience while learning valuable outdoor and life skills such as shelter building, plant identification, foraging, tool use, and creative problem-solving. Time spent caring for the land and engaging in group projects fosters responsibility, collaboration, and a deeper respect for the natural world.

  • We embrace a Forest & Nature School approach—honouring both the Land and each child’s natural curiosity and love of play. Our programs are especially supportive of families choosing alternative education paths, offering a rich, experiential learning environment where children can learn at their own pace.

    • Explore: climb, dig, build, and investigate the natural world

    • Create: use natural materials for art, storytelling, and construction

    • Reflect: pause, observe, and make sense of discoveries

    • Discover: follow curiosity and develop new ideas

    Through this cycle of play → explore → reflect → discover, learning becomes a joyful adventure—where every puddle, tree, and stick can spark imagination, understanding, and lifelong curiosity.

  • A strong sense of community is at the heart of Into the Woods. Through regular, meaningful time spent together outdoors, children and educators build lasting relationships with each other and the Land. Mixed-age groups support peer learning, leadership, and deeper social bonds, while shared experiences like campfires, group games, and collaborative projects help children develop trust, communication, empathy, and a true sense of belonging.

  • Risky play is an essential part of healthy development. With guidance from experienced mentors, children engage in challenges like climbing, running, using tools, and testing their limits in a safe and supported way. This process helps them learn to assess and manage risk, while building confidence, resilience, independence, and strong problem-solving skills.

Is Into the Woods right for your family?

Part of the application process invites you to join us for a Discovery Day to find out.
* $50 drop-in fee applies

Schedule Now

Camps & Events

  • Into the Woods is so much fun, I look forward to going every week and especially love seeing my friends and climbing trees "

    - A Nature loving friend

  • What we have found here is more than learning, a community that upholds a child's spirit that in turn opens their mind to explore their world and who they are in it.

    -Nicole B

Your Questions, Answered

  • We maintain a 1:6 ratio for younger years. If an educator is unexpectedly absent, the program continues to meet BC requirements with a 1:8 ratio.

    For our youth classes, we maintain a 1:10 ratio.

    For everyones safety, our educators never work alone

  • We do not offer sibling discounts. Our fee structure is designed to ensure that we can maintain the high standards of care, education, and safety that we are committed to providing for all children enrolled in our program. We value your understanding and are happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding our fees or other aspects of our childcare services.

    If cost is the barrier to entry for your family, please reach out to see if we can make arrangement ( volunteering, exchange etc )

  • We do not provide any meals for kids. Parents and Caregivers must pack their children a snack for every Nature School Session. However, occasionally we organize a cooking class where the children are welcome to taste the food.

    As part of our daily routine, we do finish each session with a tea time where we share in a warm herbal tea together.

  • No, we are not a co-op. There is no expectation from parents or caregivers to contribute any educational responsibilities or resources.

  • Yes, we do.

    You must initiate it on your end with your learning consultant first. Then your school can contact us to arrange invoicing and payment.

    Want to know more about Online Learner/ Distance Learner Funding? Check out our blog.

  • No, you do not although given our class hours, the majority are home learning families.

    Some children do take a day off public school for a “nature break” .

  • No, we are a small independently run forest school.

    Children from Mission and surrounding communities are welcome to join.

  • No we are not a “school” in the legal sense.

    “Forest school” is an ethos and whole-child educational approach.

    We are a recreational program there to enhance and support home educated children and families

  • If you'd like this rewritten to sound a bit more polished and professional:

    As a small independent program, we have limited financial resources available for fee assistance.

    Throughout the year, we conduct fundraising initiatives, with proceeds directed to our Roots & Shoots Fund. This fund helps offset a portion of program fees for a small number of families each year.

    The level of assistance we are able to provide depends on the success of our fundraising efforts and the funds available at the time of application.

    Or, for a warmer and more community-focused tone:

    As a small independent program, our ability to provide financial assistance is limited. Throughout the year, we organize fundraising activities, with all proceeds going into our Roots & Shoots Fund.

    This fund allows us to help offset a portion of program fees for a small number of families. The amount of support available varies from year to year and depends on the success of our fundraising efforts.

    Reach out to discuss further