Through the Woods Forest & Nature School

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School Discover. Connect. Grow.

Winter Forest Friends started this week with a sunny, warm day and plenty of snow to play in!⛄️
01/14/2026

Winter Forest Friends started this week with a sunny, warm day and plenty of snow to play in!⛄️

Forest Friends is an outdoor, child led, play based program that offers children time and space to explore, imagine, and...
12/16/2025

Forest Friends is an outdoor, child led, play based program that offers children time and space to explore, imagine, and create in nature. Designed for children ages 3 to 8, sessions take place at Lions West Valley Park in Drayton Valley on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

What families are saying:
“My daughter absolutely loves attending Forest Friends! She is excited to attend, and cannot wait to go back. The facilitator is amazing; our daughter has found such an appreciation for nature. The child-led play and gentle nature of the program has helped her come out of her shell, learn to help others, and find beauty in the small things.”

Spaces are limited.


That’s a wrap on the fall season at Through the Woods Forest & Nature School!From days spent fishing and exploring throu...
12/15/2025

That’s a wrap on the fall season at Through the Woods Forest & Nature School!

From days spent fishing and exploring through fall colours to watching ice form on the pond and welcoming the first winter snow, it has been an incredible season of outdoor play and discovery.

📷 Scroll through for a peek at some highlights from the season


The first icy day on the pond brought so much excitement!These Forest Friends enjoyed skating, slipping and especially f...
11/29/2025

The first icy day on the pond brought so much excitement!

These Forest Friends enjoyed skating, slipping and especially falling. They worked together trying to dig the rocks out of the ice, wandered through the cattails where they found a nest woven into the stalks, and had plenty of uninterrupted time to play and explore.

“Children grow into their best selves when they are given space to explore the natural world with curiosity and joy.”
– Penny Whitehouse

There is something truly magical that happens when you give a group of children the time and freedom to “just play.”Time...
11/03/2025

There is something truly magical that happens when you give a group of children the time and freedom to “just play.”

Time to come up with their own ideas, questions, and stories and the freedom to explore, wonder, and create.

When play isn’t rushed or directed by adults, ideas unfold naturally. Children find their own rhythm and follow their imaginations as they explore, experiment, and discover the world around them.

“Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.”
– Kay Redfield Jamison

Early Fall Forest Friends wrapped up this week. We’ve spent the last several weeks playing, exploring, creating, learnin...
10/24/2025

Early Fall Forest Friends wrapped up this week. We’ve spent the last several weeks playing, exploring, creating, learning, making new friends, and embracing the changing season.

Late Fall sessions kick off this coming week, and there are still a few spots open to join the adventures:

Tuesdays 9am–12pm (1 spot available)
Oct 28–Dec 9 (no session Nov 11)
$180

Wednesdays 9am–2pm (3 spots available)
Oct 29–Dec 10
$350

Come see what this next season has in store.
Register online — link in comments.

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School will be offering another Forest Day this Thursday, October 23 from 9–2.  This p...
10/21/2025

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School will be offering another Forest Day this Thursday, October 23 from 9–2. This program offers an opportunity for children ages 5–12 to enjoy a day of outdoor play and adventure. The registration fee is $40 per child, if the strike ends before Thursday, families will receive a full refund.

Forest Days are entirely outdoors, child-led, and play-based where children can explore, create, and connect with the natural world. Each day brings new adventures from building forts, or tracking animal prints, to making art from nature and exploring the creek. There is always something new to discover!

Forest Friends is an entirely outdoor, child-led, play-based program for children 3–8 years old. Forest & Nature School ...
10/20/2025

Forest Friends is an entirely outdoor, child-led, play-based program for children 3–8 years old. Forest & Nature School fosters the holistic development of each participant with low ratios, uninterrupted free play time, supported risky play, and a focus on process over outcome.

As the season changes, Forest Friends continues to offer space for discovery, connection, and growth in all weather. Time spent outdoors helps children build confidence, strengthen social skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for nature as they explore, play, and learn together.

Late Fall 2025 Forest Friends

Tuesdays | October 28–December 9 | 9 AM–12 PM | $180

Wednesdays (Full Day) | October 29–December 10 | 9 AM–2 PM | $350

💬 What families are saying:
“Darren has become much more outgoing around other kids his age! We have really enjoyed this program for his development and social skills!”

Tag a friend who would love this program for their child!

Spots are limited.
Register today at www.throughthewoodsfns.ca

They’re not just playing in nature.They are:LearningCreatingSensingBelievingRelaxingExploringObservingWonderingConnectin...
10/15/2025

They’re not just playing in nature.
They are:

Learning
Creating
Sensing
Believing
Relaxing
Exploring
Observing
Wondering
Connecting
Discovering
Appreciating
Understanding
Experimenting.

— Penny Whitehouse

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School will be offering another Forest Day this Thursday, October 16 from 9–2. This pr...
10/14/2025

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School will be offering another Forest Day this Thursday, October 16 from 9–2. This program offers an opportunity for children ages 5–12 to enjoy a day of outdoor play and adventure. The registration fee is $40 per child, if the strike ends before Thursday, families will receive a full refund.

Forest Days are entirely outdoors, child-led, and play-based programs where children can explore, create, and connect with the natural world. Each day brings new adventures from building forts, or tracking animal prints, to making art from nature and exploring the creek. There is always something new to discover!

“At Forest School, nature becomes a classroom with no walls, where children learn through self-directed play, using thei...
10/10/2025

“At Forest School, nature becomes a classroom with no walls, where children learn through self-directed play, using their whole bodies and all of their senses, in an environment that nurtures curiosity and builds self-esteem.”
— Linda McGurk

Scroll through for a glimpse from the last few weeks at Through the Woods Forest & Nature School. 🍂

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School will be offering Forest School Days for children ages 5–12 as an opportunity fo...
10/04/2025

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School will be offering Forest School Days for children ages 5–12 as an opportunity for outdoor play and adventure during a possible teachers’ strike.

Forest School Days are entirely outdoors and rooted in child led, play based learning that celebrates exploration, creativity, and connection with the natural world.

Each day brings new opportunities to explore the forest, build friendships, and take on fun challenges.

Activities may include:
• Nature art
• Animal tracking
• Fort building
• Exploring the creek

The possibilities are endless!

If there is no strike, or the strike ends you will receive a full refund for any remaining days.

Edit!
✨ Spots are SOLD OUT for this week.

Address

Drayton Valley, AB

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