FAQS

The forest school educational approach & movement originated in Scandinavia and has made its way through Europe and recently into the United States. Upon its growth, it has been touching many other parts of the world as well!

Outdoor-based and nature-based schooling has followed suit and tend to model very similar approaches. As a quickly growing wholesome & nurturing educational movement with lifelong benefits, and with 900+ schools and programs.

Our Forest School programs hold to all six key principles that shape and govern the Forest School ethos. There are many forms of outdoor education and all have enormous value, however, Forest School is unique in its reach, delivery and effect.

These six principles are:

Forest School is a long-term process of consistent and regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation are integral to each session.
Forest School takes place solely in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world.
Forest School uses a range of learner-centered processes to create a community for being, development and learning. It is a child centered program rather than system centered education.
Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
Forest School is run by qualified practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

A broader curriculum is associated with forest schools. This foundation supports a no boundaries-approach to the learning process. The open-air classroom setting encourages imagination, open-ended play, and freedom. Year-long programs also enable exposure to the changing of seasons and environment.

When severe weather occurs at forest school there are a couple of different things that may happen, depending on the situation. Note that the term “severe weather” in this case actually means severe weather, as opposed to “bad weather”. We hold coop in what some might call “bad” weather, including in light to moderate rain, light snow, and cold.

If we anticipate the possibility of severe weather (thunder & lightning) before meeting in the morning, we will delay the start time or cancel if there is no predicted break in the severe weather.

We will follow Huntsville City closures pertaining to the forecasted severe weather.

Properly preparing a child for an all-weather coop begins with making sure they have the proper clothing. We require each child to bring appropriate clothing for the weather conditions on any given day, including changes of clothing especially if prone to potty accidents.

For our colder, wetter months we recommend:

Waterproof boots
Waterproof rain pants
Waterproof coat
Gloves
Hat
Insulated pants/jacket (snow suit)
Extra socks
Warm pants for layering
Warm shirts/sweatshirts to layer

For our warmer months we recommend:

Lightweight shoes
Lightweight clothing
Sun hat
Swimsuit

We would love to meet you and yours for a tour of Bountiful Acres. You can email us at natureschildcollective@gmail.com to schedule your visit.

The exchange covers the cost of class photo, permitting, insurance, materials, books, supplies, and instructors.

NCC is a Christian faith based and welcomes families of all backgrounds, including but not limited to religion, ethnicity, race, and gender. We encourage families to share Biblical truths when the Holy Spirit moves them. We want children to hear God’s voice and use their discernment to accept the divine charge we have been given to love and protect the earth. We are not church affiliated.

If your child has a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, please wait to bring them to forest school until they are 24 hours fever free.
We do not ask that you keep your child home because of a runny nose, slight cough or cold.
Siblings of the sick child may attend as long as they show no symptoms.
We will never ask your child's vaccine status.

FAQS

The forest school educational approach & movement originated in Scandinavia and has made its way through Europe and recently into the United States. Upon its growth, it has been touching many other parts of the world as well!

Outdoor-based and nature-based schooling has followed suit and tend to model very similar approaches. As a quickly growing wholesome & nurturing educational movement with lifelong benefits, and with 900+ schools and programs.

Our Forest School programs hold to all six key principles that shape and govern the Forest School ethos. There are many forms of outdoor education and all have enormous value, however, Forest School is unique in its reach, delivery and effect.

​

These six principles are:

Forest School is a long-term process of consistent and regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation are integral to each session.

Forest School takes place solely in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world.

Forest School uses a range of learner-centered processes to create a community for being, development and learning. It is a child centered program rather than system centered education.

Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

Forest School is run by qualified practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

A broader curriculum is associated with forest schools. This foundation supports a no boundaries-approach to the learning process. The open-air classroom setting encourages imagination, open-ended play, and freedom. Year-long programs also enable exposure to the changing of seasons and environment.

If we anticipate the possibility of severe weather (thunder & lightning) before meeting in the morning, we will delay the start time or cancel if there is no predicted break in the severe weather.

We will follow Huntsville City closures pertaining to the forecasted severe weather.

Properly preparing a child for an all-weather coop begins with making sure they have the proper clothing. We require each child to bring appropriate clothing for the weather conditions on any given day, including changes of clothing especially if prone to potty accidents.

For our colder, wetter months we recommend:

Waterproof boots

Waterproof rain pants

Waterproof coat

Gloves

Hat

Insulated pants/jacket (snow suit)

Extra socks

Warm pants for layering

Warm shirts/sweatshirts to layer

​

For our warmer months we recommend:

Lightweight shoes

Lightweight clothing

Sun hat

Swimsuit

We would love to meet you and yours for a tour of Bountiful Acres. You can email us at natureschildcollective@gmail.com to schedule your visit.

The exchange covers the cost of class photo, permitting, insurance, materials, books, supplies, and instructors.

If your child has a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, please wait to bring them to forest school until they are 24 hours fever free.

We do not ask that you keep your child home because of a runny nose, slight cough or cold.

Siblings of the sick child may attend as long as they show no symptoms.

We will never ask your child's vaccine status.