Learning valuable life skills while being outside in the fresh air, what’s not to love? For families who want their children to experience a different way of learning that fosters a deeper connection with nature, forest schools are a natural choice. At Wild & Immersive, we believe that every kid should be able to experience and enjoy the great outdoors. Through our Forest School programs, children get a chance to learn, socialize, and have fun, while exploring the natural world around them.
In this post, we’ll uncover the many positive impacts of outdoor education according to various research studies. We’ll highlight the unique features of the Wild & Immersive forest school programs that we have right here at the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge, and we’ll get you ready to register your child for the upcoming 2026/2027 season.
Forest Schools: Where Development Thrives Outside
In a previous post, we shared the Top 10 Benefits of Outdoor Education in British Columbia. Now, we’ll look into some recent research that sheds more light into the ways that forest schools positively impact children’s learning, well-being and personal development.
With consistent exposure to the outdoors, research suggests that as children grow more comfortable being in nature, they begin to overcome their fears of unfamiliar environments where elements like the weather may have deterred them from participating in the past. In turn, they develop greater confidence and curiosity, and become increasingly at ease with being in outdoor environments [1].
As adults, we already know that getting outside can uplift our health and wellbeing. The same is true for kids. Being in natural surroundings can help children feel calmer and make them more attentive too. A number of different studies have shown that kids who regularly spend time outdoors tend to show greater focus, higher motivation, and stronger awareness of the world around them. These benefits all lead to more engaged learning [2] [3].
Spending time in nature is also tied to mental and physical health benefits, like lower stress and improved mood [3]. The key takeaway is that nature exposure through programs like forest schools isn’t just a fun schooling alternative to traditional learning, it can actually help support how kids feel, learn, and grow.
Why Forest Schools Work So Well
Forest schools like Wild & Immersive’s create a fun, joyful and engaging learning experience. The experiential, child-led, hands-on approach of outdoor education helps to encourage active participation and ultimately supports deeper learning [1].
Another reason why outdoor education is so effective is that it provides a flexible learning experience that adapts to a child’s needs and development. Instead of following a rigid structure, it promotes exploration, freedom, and play. Through a variety of group activities, each child’s learning journey is guided and shaped by their unique experience in the outdoors. So while learning outcomes can vary, every child in forest school benefits from being a part of a group experience. Overall, the combination of independence, engagement with nature, and a more adaptable setting makes forest schools highly impactful [4].
Creating a Natural Connection
Through our experience running outdoor education programs since 2018, it’s clear that forest schools provide a beneficial learning environment for kids, while helping them to create a direct connection with the natural world. Research supports this as well. Forest schools encourage children to deepen their connection with nature, helping them to cultivate a strong sense of place and responsibility. Over time, this connection often fosters more eco-friendly behaviours and a greater desire to protect the outdoor spaces where they spend their time [1].
While there’s certainly nothing wrong with learning about the environment within an indoor classroom, when kids get to experience nature firsthand, learning becomes much more tangible. Through activities like navigation, identifying local plants and wildlife, and understanding climate patterns, kids can engage with the environment in the most natural way. Children begin to feel more connected to nature and see themselves as an important part of it [4].
Why Forest Schools at Wild & Immersive Stand Out
Where we are
It starts with the natural setting. The Malcolm Knapp Research Forest is a remarkable place located on the northern edge of Maple Ridge. With plenty of trails, tall trees and lakes, it’s a uniquely biodiverse environment where a variety of plants and wildlife flourish. Our basecamp features a cabin, washrooms, and a wooden playground, making it an ideal gathering space.
What we do
Wild & Immersive programs provide a fun schooling alternative to the traditional classroom. While the programs are designed for those in the home learning community, we are open to any child who is looking to experience the outdoors. At our forest school, your child will take part in hands-on learning activities outside. They’ll be able to explore a variety of nature-based and environmental topics, all while interacting with their peers. Every weekly session there’s new themes and new engaging activities to enjoy.
How we help them grow
Our forest school programs offer a balanced combination of child-led interactive education, and joyful fun and games. Together this teaches them valuable skills like listening, teamwork, sharing, problem-solving, and observational skills. This helps with building their confidence and adaptability, setting the foundation for them to grow into confident and grounded adults.
Who leads the way
What truly makes the forest school programs at Wild & Immersive special is our dedicated team. Each forest school facilitator brings a love of nature and extensive experience working with children outdoors. With backgrounds in sciences and outdoor education, they help students develop important life skills, while ensuring they enjoy their time in the outdoor classroom. As a parent, you’ll have peace of mind dropping off your child knowing they’ll be fully supervised throughout the day.
Forest School & Outdoor Learning Programs in Maple Ridge
For parents in the Fraser Valley who are searching for “Forest schools near me”, look no further than the Wild & Immersive forest school programs in Maple Ridge’s Malcolm Knapp Research Forest. We offer five unique programs for different age groups. Each program features weekly nature-inspired, hands-on activities that are connected to the BC curriculum. Here’s a snapshot of our programs and what they include.
Little Forest School – Ages 3-5
Kids get a chance to nurture their relationship with nature while learning about the environment. Each session combines child-led, interactive educational elements with adventurous fun and games. Common themes include bugs, animals, birds, trees, and weather.
When: Mondays from mid-September to early-December for Term 1, and mid-January to late-May for Term 2.
Nature Explorers – Ages 5-7
In this program, kids are encouraged to develop an early appreciation of nature through immersive, hands-on lessons. Some of the common themes include salmon, mushrooms, cooking, geology and navigation, and plants.
When: Tuesdays OR Thursdays from mid-September to late-May.
Forest Adventurers – Ages 8-10
Kids can foster a deeper connection with nature through meaningful interactions. Sessions take a more scientific approach and empower kids to be more independent. Common themes include survival skills and navigation, hibernation and migration, climate patterns, and biodiversity.
When: Fridays from mid-September to late-May.
Forest Club – Ages 5-12
This multi-age program is designed for siblings to attend together. Sessions emphasize peer learning, mentorship, role modeling, and social play. Typical themes include tree life, mushrooms, survival skills and navigation, animal behaviour, plants, and cooking.
When: Wednesdays from mid-September to late-May.
Forest Leaders – Ages 13+
This program is for those who’ve aged out of the forest school program but want to be mentors and develop leadership skills. Participants will help to guide and inspire our Nature Explorers groups (ages 5-7).
When: Tuesdays OR Thursdays from mid-September to late-May.
Get more details and register for our Maple Ridge forest school programs here.
What Parents Say About Our Forest School Programs
We’re always encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive feedback we receive from parents of kids who’ve attended our forest school programs. Time and time again, parents tell us how their children grow and thrive through the unique blend of learning and outdoor exploration that our forest schools offer. Here are just a couple of the many glowing testimonials we’ve received from parents.
“My son has been going to Wild and Immersive programs for 3 years now and we love it!! The educators and environment is exactly what EVERY child needs! My son loves the variety of activities, learning about our environment and is excited to go to each of the classes/camps. I can not say how much we love and appreciate programs like this!”
“Such great programs for families looking to get their children connected with nature, and increasing their appreciation of the world around them. The programs are fun and interactive, and the staff are all knowledgeable and excited to be with the kids.”
Forest School Registration Starts Soon
As you can see from this article, there are many reasons why outdoor education supports key areas of learning and development, with the research to back it up. If you’re considering registering your child for forest school at Wild & Immersive in Maple Ridge, now’s the time! Registration for 2026/2027 opens on May 19th and spots fill up quickly, so don’t miss out. We look forward to seeing you in the forest.
References:
- [1] Harris, F. (2021). Developing a relationship with nature and place: the potential role of forest school. Environmental Education Research, 27(8), 1214–1228. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1896679
- [2] Kuo M, Barnes M and Jordan C (2019). Do Experiences With Nature Promote Learning? Converging Evidence of a Cause-and-Effect Relationship. Front. Psychol. 10:305. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00305
- [3] Becker, C., Lauterbach, G., Spengler, S., Dettweiler, U., & Mess, F. (2017). Effects of Regular Classes in Outdoor Education Settings: A Systematic Review on Students’ Learning, Social and Health Dimensions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(5), 485. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14050485
- [4] Asfeldt, M., Purc-Stephenson, R., & Zimmerman, T. (2022). Outdoor education in Canadian public schools: Connecting children and youth to people, place, and environment. Environmental Education Research, 28(10), 1510–1526. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2022.2061919
