Maple Ridge Forest School

Giving children space to learn and interact with nature.

Registration for our 2023/2024 Forest School programs is now open.

Kids exploring the forest at Wild & Immersive camp
Kids learning at Wild & Immersive forest school

Every kid should be able to experience and enjoy the great outdoors.

Through our Forest School programs, children will learn and have fun with their peers while exploring nature.

What your child will be doing at Forest School:

  • Hands-on learning, done mostly outdoors
  • Exploring a variety of nature-based and environmental topics
  • Socializing and interacting with outdoor-loving peers

5 unique programs & age groups

Weekly nature-inspired activities

Connected to the BC curriculum

Designed for the home learning community, but open to any child looking to experience the outdoors. Sessions feature weekly themes and engaging activities designed to encourage students’ interests.

  • Birds
  • Wetlands & toads
  • Insects
  • Tree and plant ID
  • Animal habitats
  • Geology
Rotating text that reads Programs Rooted in Nature
Kids looking at greenery through a magnifying glass Kid and leader smiling at Wild & Immersive forest camp

While engaging in outdoor activities, our facilitators will also help your child work on important life skills.

What they’ll learn:

  • Listening
  • Teamwork
  • Sharing
  • Problem-solving

Sessions are all fully supervised so you have peace of mind when dropping your child off for the day.

Let’s begin

Choose your child’s age:

Ages 3-5

Forest Preschool

Nurture your child’s relationship with nature and pique their interest in the environment with our preschool sessions. The combination of child-led, interactive educational elements with fun and games will foster socialization, communication, problem-solving, and observational skills.

 

Typical themes covered in this age group:

  • Bugs
  • Animals
  • Trees
  • Water
  • Clouds

DATES: Mondays and Wednesdays from September 18, 2023 until May 29, 2024

TIME: 9am – 12pm

COST: $30/session- registration is 1 day or 2 days per week, on a monthly basis.

* All children must be fully potty trained to attend Forest School.

The program does not run on the following dates: October 2, October 9, November 15, December 18- January 10, January 24, February 19, March 18- April 1, and May 15.

Register Now

Ages 5-7

*Program Full- email for waitlist

Nature Explorers

Our Nature Explorers program encourages your child’s early appreciation of nature. These lessons lay the foundation for kids to develop into secure, at-ease, and environmentally-conscious adults.

 

Typical themes covered in this age group:

  • Fall Semester: Salmon/ Mushrooms
  • Winter Semester: Hibernation/ Bears/ Nocturnal Animals
  • Semester: Pollinators/ Flowers and Plants/ Wetlands

DATES: Weekly on Tuesdays starting September 19, 2023 until May 28, 2024

TIME: 9:30am – 2:00pm

COST: $1,400 +GST

Waitlist

Please note the program does not run on the following dates: November 7, December 19, December 26, January 2, January 9, February 20, March 19, March 26, and April 30.

Ages 8-9

Forest Adventurers

At this age, your child will start to appreciate a deeper connection to nature. Our Forest Adventurer program works to deepen this bond and foster meaningful interactions between kids and the natural world, benefitting us all.

 

Typical themes covered in this age group:

  • Fall Semester: salmon/mushrooms/survival skills
  • Winter Semester: hibernations/animal tracking in the snow/climate patterns
  • Spring Semester: biodiversity/wetlands/Earth Day

DATES: Weekly on Fridays starting September 22, 2023 until May 31, 2024

TIME: 9:30am – 2:00pm

COST: $1,400 +GST

Register Now

Please note the program does not run on the following dates: October 20, November 10, December 22, December 29, January 5, January 12, February 16, March 22, and March 29.

Ages 10-12

*Program Full – email for waitlist

Forest Leaders

Our Forest Leader sessions take a deeper and more scientific approach to the connection between youth and nature. We’ll challenge your child to explore their place in the world while also empowering them to be more independent and sustainable humans.

 

Typical themes covered in this age group:

  • Fall Semester: photosynthesis/tree diseases/salmon/mushrooms
  • Winter Semester: Great Bear rainforest/Great Backyard Bird Count/Black History Month/survival skills
  • Spring Semester: Biodiversity/Entomology/Invasive Species

DATES: Weekly on Thursdays starting September 21, 2023 until May 30, 2024

TIME: 9:30am- 2:00pm

COST: $1,500 +GST

Waitlist

Please note the program does not run on the following dates: December 21, December 28, January 4, January 11, March 7, March 21, and March 28.

Ages 13-18

Junior Leadership Program

Joining the Junior Leadership program allows teens to see what it takes to facilitate outdoor youth programs and gain experience leading activities. They’ll be able to expand their leadership and nature skills, gain volunteer hours and earn valuable work experience.

 

Junior Leaders will be expected to perform some of the following tasks:

  • Act as a positive role model for younger participants
  • Communicate well and interact respectfully
  • Carry out assigned tasks and show initiative to learn new tasks
  • Assist younger participants with activities
  • Help with the day’s organization and keeping the space clean
  • Participate in debrief sessions with staff and with the Wild & Immersive Coordinator

DATES:
Forest School: Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays (September – May)
Pro-D Days: Oct 20, Nov 10, Feb 20, May 15
Spring Break: March 18-29, 2024
Summer Camps: July- August

TIME: 9am-3pm (Forest School) or 8:30am-3:30pm (day camps)

COST: $250 +GST

Email to Apply

Note: To be successful as a Junior Leader, you must have some previous experience outdoors, or have taken part in past Wild & Immersive programs. You must also be able to commit to at least 1 session per month for 8 months. Failure to attend the minimum number of sessions will result in the candidate not completing the program.

What parents and teachers are saying about Forest School:

“I am the grandmother of a 10 year old child on the autism spectrum and attend the Thursday Wild and Immersive 10-13 group as his interventionist.   This is the first program that he has felt at ease in and showed signs of acceptance and success.  Kjersten and Julie are the kindest and most adaptable leaders.   They are attentive to the needs of all the children and it is evident that the children are comfortable and engaged in the environment.  I stand back and observe my grandson’s interactions with the other children and intervene if he is having a problem.   I’ve also observed how happy the children are in the program and how the leaders interact and intervene when necessary. I wish there was something like this when I was a child.”

“Such a 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. We love the nature walks they put on during the holidays!”

“A wonderful program of day camps and week long camps for kids (and parents) looking for an outdoor education experience and whole lot of fun in the forest! Lots of smiles! Highly Recommend.”

“I have sent my son here for two years in a row (summer camps and March break camp) and then my daughter this year as well. It’s worth the drive – the kids come home exhausted and happy. They are active, learning about the outdoors and doing fun things like building forts/shelters, capture the flag games, learning about animals in the wild and water safety. I almost hate to recommend the camp because the registration will fill up more quickly than it already does!”

“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 his classes/camps! I cannot say enough about how much we love and appreciate programs like this!”