What is A Forest School?
The philosophy behind the forest school movement is to encourage and inspire individuals through positive outdoor experiences. Although we do have a covered shelter at “base camp” and modern restrooms, Seedkeepers will essentially be 100% outdoors. Children will be educated on and required to have proper rain and cold weather gear throughout the school year. Children will develop intrinsic motivation, social, emotional, and cognitive skills, along with strengthened resilience through year-round outdoor learning experiences. As they connect and learn about the natural environment, they will learn how to handle risks, problem solve, and cooperate as a group. Forest Schools also prioritize student-led learning, wherein curriculum is designed to support further learning and exploration in areas the students are naturally drawn to each season of the year.
Forest Schools Develop:
Self awareness
Self regulation
Intrinsic motivation
Empathy
Social communication skills
Independence
Resilience
Positive attitudes and confidence
2. ARE YOU A PRESCHOOL?
Seedkeepers is a nature-connection recreation program, not a school/preschool. "Forest School" is a part of our name to indicate that our approach and values related to how we guide children's experiences of learning, growth, exploration, and discovery align with the Forest School philosophy:
"Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees." -Forest School Association, https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/
As our vision states, our primary focus is "to contribute to a local movement of restoring and fostering a lifelong relationship between young people and the natural world."
Thus, the children in our program are either not yet of age for kindergarten, or they are enrolled as an enrichment component to their home school education.
2. HOW DOES SEEDKEEPERS’ WAITLIST WORK?
As a program, we believe in the richness of inter-generational learning, and the importance of having a balance of younger and older children, which promotes scaffolding in a learning environment. Because of this, there are two separate waitlists by age: under age 5 or age 5 and above. Email us directly at seedkeepersforestschool@gmail.com to inquire about available spots in our Fall 2023/Spring 2024 classes.
3. CAN I SCHEDULE A TOUR NOW?
Due to a high volume of visit requests, we cannot accommodate all visit requests immediately, as we are a small program. So, the process in place is as follows:
1. Submission of an application (application link can be found under the enrollment tab) and $20 application fee is submitted. Once both of these are received, this secures the spot on the waitlist.
2. When a spot opens up, we then reach out to the family who is next on the waitlist
3. If that family is still interested, we will schedule a visit day for the child and their family at that time to meet the instructors, experience the garden, the outdoor classroom, the forest, etc.
4. Following the visit, the family and program directors will both determine whether it seems like a good fit for everyone, and if it does seem like a good fit, the family will then decide if they would like to confirm enrollment.
4. HOW DOES SEEDKEEPERS HANDLE INCLEMENT WEATHER?
Seedkeepers Forest School, as an outdoor program, is structured around all-day outdoor play and learning. However, SFS has strict safety protocols in place in the event of inclement weather. In addition, SFS will adhere to the Johnson City School Board’s weather-related cancellations of school days, so when Johnson City public schools are closed, Seedkeepers Forest School will also be closed.
5. HOW DOES SEEDKEEPERS HANDLE POTENTIAL UNEXPECTED EXTREME WEATHER DURING THE SCHOOL DAY?
Seedkeepers Forest School will track the forecast throughout the day, and any weather-related safety concerns will be considered in all program decisions. In the event of potential thunder and lightning, students will remain close to shelter. In the event of high winds, we will stay clear of forested areas and any overhead hazards. During any and all thunder and lightning, we will remain under shelter until the storm has passed. In cases of extreme weather, Seedkeepers has access to several designated indoor shelter areas on the property where students can be fully indoors in a climate-controlled area. For extreme cold or heat, the time outside will be limited, based on the weather and the clothing of students that day. Teachers will consistently visually monitor students to ensure the prevention of frostbite, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, etc., as well as verbally monitor students by facilitating body scans.
6. HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT GEAR MY CHILD WILL NEED?
SFS has a prepared list of gear and instruction on how to prepare what your child will need to be safe and comfortable in each season. This will include guidance on what to pack in case of rain, snow, wind, etc. We are glad to work with and support parents in this process.