Where can I access current forest school research to help me make a decision about whether Forest school is a good fit for my child/family?
https://childnature.ca/about-forest-and-nature-school/
www.tactyc.org.uk/pdfs/Reflection-Knight.pdf
www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fr0112forestschoolsreport.pdf/$FILE/fr0112forestschoolsreport.pdf
http://learninginthewoods.co.uk/about/forest-school-research/
How does Forest School work?
Children attend OMFS one or two days/weekly.
Many children who attend public school join OMFS just one day/week whereas some come biweekly.
Forest School is offered as a complement to a child’s academic education.
Where can I learn more about Forest Schools in general?
Where does OMFS take place?
Please visit our location page here: https://oromedonteforestschool.ca/oro-medonte-forest-school-location/
How do I know which program to sign my child up for?
Our programs are detailed on the following page: https://oromedonteforestschool.ca/omfs-program-offerings/
But here is a general idea as well:
Forest Families – age 2-4 (with some wiggle room on either end) children who participate with a caregiving adult. Focus on storytelling, crafts, play, and fun! Half day program.
Forest Explorers – kindergarten age children new to forest school who do well in a group of similar aged peers, or those wishing for a half day program. Play based with a large focus on imaginative, creative, and sensory play.
Forest Adventurers – age 4-10 children who wish to be amongst a diverse age range (perhaps to attend with siblings, cousins, or friends), and who are comfortable with a full day of outdoor programming that is slightly more adventurous and involves a wider range of group games and activities.
Forest Trekkers – age 5-12 children who are experienced in the outdoors and would like to build on their outdoor skills. Comfortable trekking longer distances and participating in collaborative activities and projects that may carry on from week to week.
How do I dress my child appropriately for a day of Forest School?
We have dedicated a large section of our Parent Handbook to this very detail. Please refer to this for information on all weather types and seasons. Children thrive in the outdoors best when they are dressed in appropriate clothing for the presenting weather. We offer an online gear swap on Facebook for all registered families to help grow your outdoor gear collections!
What happens when the weather is inclement on a day of Forest School?
Please refer to the OMFS Parent Handbook which details our inclement weather policy. Note that school will typically be cancelled when the Simcoe County buses in the NORTH or CENTRAL zones are cancelled. Recently, due to our changing climate, there has been other considerations that may lead to cancellations including but not limited to air quality, tornado warnings, high winds, and excessive heat. Classes will not be made up due to weather cancellations.
I’m not in the Oro Medonte / Orillia area, can you suggest other nearby Forest School programs near Simcoe County?
What is Risky play? What are the benefits of Risky Play for children?
https://earlyyearsoutdooreducation.wordpress.com/outdoor-risky-play-for-all/
https://news.ubc.ca/2015/06/09/risky-outdoor-play-positively-impacts-childrens-health-ubc-study/
Can my child come to try Forest School to see if it is a good fit?
For younger children, we suggest that parents or caregivers bring them to our Forest Friday program to get a sense of the programming. Older children may sample Forest School by attending one of the Forest Camps – Summer or PA Day camps are offered.
From time to time we offer drop in availability in some of our regular programs. Please check the program pages for details.
Are there subsidies available for Forest School programming?
YES! We offer an in house subsidy fund, available to families who may not otherwise be able to afford forest school programming.
Please visit the below links for details or contact us for info about the OMFS Subsidy Fund.
