Services — Dogwood Forest

Our days are spent exploring the natural environment, practicing skills & risk management, developing mindfulness, embracing passions, and engaging in games and activities that teach.
The learning experience is ever-changing and driven by questioning, storytelling, and inquiry.
Children will have opportunities to develop an understanding of nature concepts and learn and practice new skills such as woodworking, cooking, orienteering, crafting, outdoor survival skills and more.
Through facilitator mentorship, reflection, community building activities, and nature inspired challenges, we aim to develop critical thinking skills, resiliency, focus, positive social skills, and overall physical and emotional well-being of individuals and the whole group.
MONDAY: SEEDS (5 - 7 YEARS)
School Year: Sept 18 – June 3 (30 wks)
Fall: Sept 18 – Dec 18 (13 wks)
Winter: Jan 8 – Feb 26 (7 wks)
Spring: Mar 18 – June 3 (10 wks)
THURSDAY: SEEDS (5 - 7 YEARS)
School Year: Sept 21 – June 6 (34 wks)
Fall: Sept 21 - Dec 21 (14 wks)
Winter: Jan 11 - Feb 29 (8 wks)
Spring: Mar 21 - June 6 (12 wks)
Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Our days are spent exploring the natural environment, practicing skills & risk management, developing mindfulness, embracing passions, and engaging in games and activities that teach.
The learning experience is ever-changing and driven by questioning, storytelling, and inquiry.
Children will have opportunities to develop an understanding of nature concepts and learn and practice new skills such as woodworking, cooking, orienteering, crafting, outdoor survival skills and more.
Through facilitator mentorship, reflection, community building activities, and nature inspired challenges, we aim to develop critical thinking skills, resiliency, focus, positive social skills, and overall physical and emotional well-being of individuals and the whole group.
MONDAY: SPROUTS (7 - 10 YEARS)
School Year: Sept 18 – June 3 (30 wks)
Fall: Sept 18 – Dec 18 (13 wks)
Winter: Jan 8 – Feb 26 (7 wks)
Spring: Mar 18 – June 3 (10 wks)
WEDNESDAY: SPROUTS (7 - 10 YEARS)
School Year: Sept 20 – June 5 (34 wks)
Fall: Sept 20 - Dec 20 (14 wks)
Winter: Jan 10 - Feb 28 (8 wks)
Spring: Mar 20 - June 5 (12 wks)
THURSDAY: SPROUTS (7 - 9 YEARS)
School Year: Sept 21 – June 6 (34 wks)
Fall: Sept 21 - Dec 21 (14 wks)
Winter: Jan 11 - Feb 29 (8 wks)
Spring: Mar 21 - June 6 (12 wks)
Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

A similar program to our weekly programs that only takes place once per month throughout September to June (10 sessions) with the same group of students to develop skills and community.
Monthly programs are available for all age groups: Seeds (5-6), Sprouts (6-8), Saplings (9-13) and Rangers (11-14).
It provides children the opportunity to experience an outdoor learning environment without a weekly commitment.
10 Sessions from September - June
Tuesdays: Seeds, Sprouts & Saplings
Wednesdays: Rangers
Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

In a more advanced learning environment, youth will examine nature concepts through inquiries, field studies, and exploration; learn about and make connections to local, national, and international environmental issues; and continue to refine and master skills in woodworking, cooking, orienteering, crafting, outdoor survival skills and more; activities will also focus on the development of leadership and mentorship skills through peer and role modeling experiences.
This program will be based on an application process, only be offered as a school year program (Fall, Winter, Spring) and have limited availability for those looking to develop greater leadership, stewardship and critical thinking skills.
Apply here: https://forms.gle/oDdWfAuS5XzcmZDD8
WEDNESDAY: FOREST RANGERS (11 - 14 YEARS)
School Year: Sept 20 – June 5 (34 wks)
Fall: Sept 20 - Dec 20 (14 wks)
Winter: Jan 10 - Feb 28 (8 wks)
Spring: Mar 20 - June 5 (12 wks)
Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Parents and young children alike will have opportunities to socialize and interact with others and the natural environment and activities will include short hikes, outdoor play with age-appropriate tools and loose parts, stories, songs, and lots of play.
This program is meant to introduce families to the Forest School experience and to provide opportunities for families to spend time together outside in nature.
MONDAY: ROOTS & SHOOTS (0+ YEARS)
Fall: Sept 18 – Dec 18 (13 wks)
Spring: Mar 18 – June 3 (10 wks)
THURSDAY: ROOTS & SHOOTS (0+ YEARS)
Fall: Sept 21 - Dec 21 (14 wks)
Spring: Mar 21 - June 6 (12 wks)
Hours: 9:30am to 11:30am

Activities will reflect the season and include forest exploration & learning, various team and leadership games, cooperative group games, and arts.
Offered on days that DDSB and/or DCDSB have PA Days.
Dates: (Fridays) Oct 6, Nov 17, Jan 26, Apr 19, June 7
Hours: 9:00am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

A program for children and tweens to develop wilderness, bushcraft, and survival skills along with communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration and mindfulness skills; topics may include fire building, knots, shelter, cooking, animal/plant ID, tracking, orienteering, whittling, first aid, cordage & natural dyes and more.
Dates: (Tuesdays) Sept 26, Oct 24, Nov 28, Jan 23, Apr 23, May 28
Hours: 9:00am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Our days will be spent fully immersed in the natural environment, exploring unique ecosystems, embracing child passions, playing games, creating arts & crafts, practicing mindfulness, developing nature knowledge & skills and making friendships and memories to last a lifetime
This is a fantastic experience for children to disconnect from screens & technology and reconnect with the natural world around them!
2024 Dates: July 2 - 5 (4 day week), July 8 - 12, July 15 - 19, July 22 - 26, July 29 - August 2, August 12 - 16, August 19 - 23
Hours: 9:00am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Forest School Programs