Maple Ridge Forest School
Giving children space to learn and interact with nature.
Registration for our 2023/2024 Forest School programs is now open.
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:
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Hands-on learning, done mostly outdoors
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Exploring a variety of nature-based and environmental topics
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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.
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Birds
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Wetlands & toads
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Insects
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Tree and plant ID
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Animal habitats
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Geology
While engaging in outdoor activities, our facilitators will also help your child work on important life skills.
What they’ll learn:
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Listening
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Teamwork
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Sharing
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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
- Ages 5-7
- Ages 8-9
- Ages 10-12
- Ages 13-18
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, May 15, and May 20.
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
Please note the program does not run on the following dates: October 3, 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
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
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
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.
