Through the Woods Forest & Nature School

03/09/2025

Ever wondered what a day at Through the Woods Forest & Nature School looks like?

Each day begins with a group safety meeting. This is a time to gather, remind each other how to stay safe on our adventures, and make a plan for the day.

The magic of child-led play unfolds as the children lead the way through the park and guide the rhythm of each day. Participants are given plenty of uninterrupted time to play and explore; time to be creative, curious, relaxed, silly, and brave. Storytime and snack breaks are part of every day, with the timing guided by the children’s natural rhythms (they eat when they are hungry).

The day wraps up with a moment of reflection and gratitude before packing up to head back and meet families.

💬 What families are saying:
“Lennox absolutely loved this group! She enjoyed having the freedom and choice to play when and where she liked. She always came home with wonderful stories and new information she had learned at school. She always came home with a positive outlook and looked forward to going back!”

There’s still time to join.
Fall sessions start next week!
✨Register online at throughthewoodsfns.ca

29/08/2025

What is Forest & Nature School?🌲

Forest & Nature School is a unique learning approach that centers around child-led, play-based learning with regular and repeated access to the same natural space.

Forest school fosters the holistic development of each participant through low ratios, uninterrupted free play, supported risky play, and a focus on the process over the outcome.

At Forest & Nature School, children & youth are seen as competent, curious, and capable learners who help shape their own program. Facilitators guide and support learning through inquiry and reflection, co-creating a safe and welcoming space for all who join.

This post is inspired by the Forest & Nature School principles outlined by the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada Child and Nature Alliance of Canada

Registration is now open for the Fall Forest Friends Program at Through the Woods Forest & Nature School! 🍂Don’t miss this chance to let your child experience the magic of outdoor play, exploration, and connection this season.

Link in comments ⬇️

27/08/2025

Fall Forest Friends is starting soon, there is still time to register and join the adventure! 🍂

This outdoor, child-led, play-based program is for children ages 3–8 who are independent in the bathroom. Sessions take place at Lions West Valley Park, Drayton Valley, AB. (Across from the Ricochet Aquatic Center)

Forest & Nature School fosters the holistic development of each participant with low ratios, uninterrupted play time, supported risky play and a focus on process over outcome.

✨ What families are saying:

Henry loved forest friends.
He always had fun stories to tell me about his day and was always so tuckered out afterwards that he would fall asleep on the car ride back home. I felt like forest friends really nourished Henry in a lot of different ways. He got to practice social skills, he learned about nature, he practiced arts and crafts. I loved having him signed up in a group where I could drop him off and know that he was being taken care of by a really kind, patient, and understanding teacher.
All around it was a great experience having him in forest friends 🙂 we’ve loved it so much!

🍁Fall Sessions

Session 1:
•Tuesdays: Sept 9–Oct 21 • 9am–12pm • $210
•Wednesdays (Full Day): Sept 10–Oct 22 • 9am–2pm • $350
•Thursdays: Sept 10–Oct 22 • 9am–12pm • $350

Session 2:
•Tuesdays: Oct 28–Dec 9 • 9am–12pm • $180 (No session Nov 11)
•Wednesdays (Full Day): Oct 29–Dec 10 • 9am–2pm • $350
•Thursdays: Oct 30–Dec 11 • 9am–12pm • $210

📍Spaces are limited.
Register online at www.throughthewoodsfns.ca

26/08/2025

The final week of Summer Forest Camp wrapped up last week.

This group was eager to explore and try new things. They learned to use different tools to bring their big ideas to life. They painted, drew, and let their creativity flow. They were brave explorers, testing their limits and encouraging each other while facing fears. They used their imaginations to turn the forest into a luxurious sanctuary that included a bakery, swimming pool, and even a daycare for their stick pets.

Thanks to this awesome group for a week full of discovery, connection, and growth.

📸 Take a peek at some of the highlights from the week!

24/08/2025

Johanna A Wilder Calm has been such a big influence in my Forest School Practitioner journey. Not only did we do all of our training together she also welcomed me into her program to complete my practicum and has been a constant source of support and encouragement along the way.

Kelsey Coulee Critters Forest & Nature School is also a classmate and solo facilitator who is full of inspiration, support and creative ideas!

Thank you Child and Nature Alliance of Canada for connecting amazing people and building a supportive community of nature-loving, play-inspired practitioners.

Four years ago I was finishing up the in person part of my Forest School Practitioner course where we learned, played and made connections all over the province, and Canada wide.

I’ve been so grateful for these connections while I was setting up our programming, to help with paperwork and taxes and waivers and so many other things. And now it’s following these people for craft inspiration and weather tips and just general you go moments.

Could we have started a forest program without this training? Sure. Lots of people do. Would it be the dynamic program we have no? Not a chance.

(Also did you even know a year long plus training program was a thing in Canada?).

If you are looking for inspiration of your own go check out some of these places:







I follow so many more but they are personal pages so you don’t get their details 😜. Just know you out there I’m grateful for every encounter and every bit of inspiration you give. Also is it almost reunion time?

16/08/2025

“The outdoors offers limitless potential to young children. It becomes a place where they can go to relax their mind, to be inspired and to deep dive into the world of imagination. It’s a place where they can design, create and explore. The possibilities are endless.” — Angela Hanscom

Summer Forest Camp this week was full of possibilities! From kitchen creations and learning to use tools, to mixing colors and connecting with nature. There were new friendships, hammock breaks, and plenty of creative ideas. The group cared for creatures they found, got messy in the mud, and took on challenges that built confidence.

Have a peek at the adventures from the week.

27/07/2025

The second week of Summer Forest Camp was full of adventures. From fishing and caring for minnows to an abundance of mud to play and create with, nature art, dramatic performances, and a water fight to wrap up the week.

When children are given the time, space, and materials to bring their ideas to life, amazing things happen.

What might look like “just playing and making a mess” is actually:
• collaboration
• teamwork
• resilience
• communication
• problem solving

This is child-led play in action!

Thank you to this great group for an amazing week, to their families for tackling all the extra laundry, and to the Omniplex & MacKenzie Conference Centre for welcoming us in when the heavy rain rolled through.

Scroll through for a few highlights from the week.

16/07/2025

Hi! 👋🏻 I’m Sarah, the founder and facilitator of Through the Woods Forest and Nature School, and with fall registration now open, it feels like the perfect time to reintroduce myself.

I grew up in a big city but have always loved being outside in nature. As a child, you could find me climbing trees, jumping in mud puddles or building forts in the river valley. As an adult, I turn to the outdoors to unwind and recharge, and I love getting out hiking, gardening and birdwatching.

I’m a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner through the Child Nature Alliance of Canada, I’m a Level 2 Early Childhood Educator, and I have a diploma in Disability Supports and Services. Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked and volunteered with children and youth in a variety of roles, from summer camps to community programs and formal childcare settings.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to blend my love of nature and my passion for working with children and youth to bring a Forest and Nature School program to Drayton Valley.

If you’ve just discovered Through the Woods or have been following along for a while, thank you for being here!

15/07/2025

🍂 Fall Forest Friends Registration is Now Open!

Forest & Nature School is an educational approach that centers around child-led, play-based learning with regular and repeated access to the same natural space.

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School is an entirely outdoor, child-led, play-based program that fosters the holistic development of each participant with low ratios, uninterrupted free play time, supported risky play, and a focus on process over outcome.

New this fall!
Families have asked for a longer day option, and it’s here! Fall programs will run from September 9 to December 11, with the option to register for the first 7 weeks, the second 7 weeks, or the full 14-week session.

Fall 2025 Forest Friends Programs:
•Tuesdays: 9 AM–12 PM
•Wednesdays (Full Day): 9 AM–2 PM
•Thursdays: 9 AM–12 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.”

🌟 Early Bird Bonus!
Register by August 15 to be entered into a draw for 10% off your Fall 2025 program fees!

Spots are limited — register today at: www.throughthewoodsfns.ca

11/07/2025

“Play is nature’s way of teaching children how to solve their own problems, control their impulses, modulate their emotions, see from others’ perspectives, negotiate differences, and get along with others as equals. There is no substitute for play as a means for learning these skills.” — Peter Gray, Free to Learn

In these moments of play, children are building the life skills they will need to navigate their world with confidence, creativity and empathy.

➡️ Swipe through for a peek at some highlights from the first week of Summer Forest Camp.

26/06/2025

That’s a wrap on the spring season at Through the Woods Forest & Nature School! 🌳🐝🌺

From a winter wonderland to lush green leaves, buzzing insects, and wildflowers in full bloom-it’s been an incredible season! These past few months have been filled with discovery, imagination, and creativity.

Thank you to the Forest Friends who joined us this spring—your energy, curiosity, and laughter made each day a new adventure.

➡️ Scroll through for some highlights from the spring session.

🍂 Fall program details are coming soon—registration opens July 7!