Raise healthy kids…

From the start.

Forest school is a concept that has been prevalent in other countries for decades, but the many benefits are now being researched and celebrated among educators and developmental specialists. Now, more than ever, children need sensory-rich environments, disconnection from technology, unrestricted play, and education about the community in which they live and practical development. Intuitively, we know we need this, but we rarely put it into action.

When we moved to the farm, we were able to put these things into practice with our own children. Through intentional outdoor play (in ALL weather), we began to reap priceless benefits: they had less anxiety (even in the midst of a pandemic), slept better, increased physical strength, became more curious, and they were free to think, create, and explore. Throw in a few friends, and we saw teamwork, problem-solving among peers, increased confidence and self-efficacy, imagination and creativity, and an overall awe and wonder of God’s creation.

From the ever-changing landscapes and the natural rhythms of the seasons, children’s daily discoveries shape their learning, providing spontaneous, teachable moments about their Creator and His Creations and practically allowing them opportunities to learn about math, science, art, and language through the world around them.

This is farm & forest school. Through it, we believe we can provide hope and healing to our community from the start.

Through Outdoor, Faith-Based Learning, We Will…

Connect children and families in community.
Enhance brain development and reduce mental stress.
Facilitate physical activity and motor development through “seeing, getting, creating, and doing.”
Instill a life-long love for being connected to God through nature, movement, exploration, and learning.
Prioritize child-led learning and inquiry-based Socratic method of questioning for a deep, thoughtful, and engaged learning experience.
Create a foundation for Christ-centered environmental knowledge, care, empathy, and hope.
Allow cognitive rest from executive functions and technology, making room for creativity.
Develop communication and problem-solving through teamwork.
Learn knowledge about animals, plants, ecosystems, natural resources, and survival skills for both farm and forest environments.
Observe the learner in their natural environment and assess according to appropriate age-based standards.
Encourage self-reflection to encourage intrinsic motivation at an early age.

If you feel Fiddlewood Farm & Forest School may be right for your family, please follow these steps:

After reviewing the guidebook, please fill out the online waitlist application (one form per family).
Once your application is received, you will be notified regarding enrollment. Enrollment decisions are made by March 1st of each year for the following year.
You will be asked to come to Fiddlewood Farm for a site visit or attend Camp Creation prior to enrollment if unfamiliar with the setting.
If there is availability in the program, you will pay a non-refundable registration fee (see below), which will secure your spot for the upcoming school year.