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?
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. Preschool-aged children may attend one half day 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?
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. This ensures everyone’s safety. 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. We do not generally have space for children to attend our regular Forest School programs on a drop-in basis.
Are there subsidies available for Forest School programming?
As Forest School is a recreational program, there are a few funding options available. Please visit the below links for details or contact us for info about the OMFS Subsidy Fund.
