About

Program Details

We are a Forest School Program open to kids aged 3-7. The program will run 1/6/25-6/6/25, Monday-Friday, 9:30am-1:30pm on Lake Samish, Bellingham. We offer a Play-Based, Child-Led Program emphasizing the Forest School Philosophy stemming from Scandinavia.

Program Philosophy

Looking to our local guides-The Old Growth Forest of the Pacific Northwest, we discover a beautiful example of a truly sustainable community. In a time of great environmental stress, it’s time to get back to our roots and look to those in our community that have already operated in harmony with our planet for many generations, The Old Growth Forests.

At Old Growth Kids we learn from the Cedars who provide us an ancient blueprint for homeostasis. We attune ourselves to the language of the forest, the wind, the changing of the seasons. At OG Kids we play in the forest and build relationships with the plants. As we play, important early development occurs—leading to an abundance of benefits that stick with us for life. Engaging in nature-play in the forest in our early years progresses our developmental needs, ultimately setting us up for long-term success.

The Benefits of Forest Schooling

are not confined to one arena of development, but rather bleed across all— social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral. Forest Schooling provides enhanced opportunities for students to develop resiliency, practice self-regulation, flex one’s problem-solving skills, improve body-control and build confidence! Our Forest School welcomes students from all backgrounds, including those with learning exceptionalities who aren’t having their needs met in traditional programs.

The Old Growth Community offers lessons regarding the value of adaptability, flexibility, balance, and resiliency in times of great planetary change. At OG Kids, children have space to develop relationships with the local plants, wildlife, and trees, gaining a sense of place along with a deep respect for our living classroom. Just as any good friend would do, we aim to protect our Cedar friends and learn from their greatness.

History

Old Growth Kids was founded in 2020 in response to a growing need for safe in-person education in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic. After finishing her Masters in Education with a focus in Nature-Based Early Childhood Ed, Kylie decided it was time to offer the public high-quality Nature-Immersion. Offerings range from a Forest Kindergarten program, After-School Nature programs, Consulting, Forest School Training, and more. For inquiries please email oldgrowthkids@gmail.com

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"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

-Benjamin Franklin