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Program temporarily suspended.
Join the waitlist for future updates.
Arcadia's Forest School
Arcadia Forest School gives the children the perfect opportunity to learn and connect with nature. Time spent outdoors is vital for all humans, especially into today's ever-increasing digital world. The natural environment itself is an educator, and Forest School allows children to experience firsthand the effects of nature and see why stewardship is important.
At Arcadia we believe in a play-based approach to learning, the way humans are designed to learn. Forest School naturally allows children the opportunities to play using the landscape and found objects, as children have played for all of history. Occasionally this can be messy, in fact we encourage mess. Messy play allows children full bodied learning experiences that engage their senses naturally including sensory integration and vestibular input, as does risky play. We value providing children with the skills to access risk and to engage in supervised risk taking activities in a safe manner. Providing an environment in which they can experiment, push limits, challenge themselves and find their own limits.
Our staff take a peaceful approach to guiding children, respecting their rights and autonomy. We actively train emotional regulation, consent and conflict resolution tactics. Providing a multi-aged space allows children to develop social skills and learn from each other. Older children tend to share what they have learnt and develop their compassion and patience, while the younger children look to those above them as role models. The children are actively encouraged to have a voice in the community, sharing their opinions on growing a safe nurturing environment, sharing skills and knowledge, or suggesting new activities or learning exploration ideas.
With nature as our guide, every day at Forest School is unique. There is however a general structure that we follow. Upon Arrival the children engage in some nature craft activities or provocations set out by our staff. Once everyone has arrived we hold a morning meeting, including an acknowledgement of country, and make plans for how we might spend our day. We gather together for group morning tea and lunch, as well as closing out our day with more nature craft or provocations back at our base camp.
The day's main activities can include:
At Arcadia we believe in a play-based approach to learning, the way humans are designed to learn. Forest School naturally allows children the opportunities to play using the landscape and found objects, as children have played for all of history. Occasionally this can be messy, in fact we encourage mess. Messy play allows children full bodied learning experiences that engage their senses naturally including sensory integration and vestibular input, as does risky play. We value providing children with the skills to access risk and to engage in supervised risk taking activities in a safe manner. Providing an environment in which they can experiment, push limits, challenge themselves and find their own limits.
Our staff take a peaceful approach to guiding children, respecting their rights and autonomy. We actively train emotional regulation, consent and conflict resolution tactics. Providing a multi-aged space allows children to develop social skills and learn from each other. Older children tend to share what they have learnt and develop their compassion and patience, while the younger children look to those above them as role models. The children are actively encouraged to have a voice in the community, sharing their opinions on growing a safe nurturing environment, sharing skills and knowledge, or suggesting new activities or learning exploration ideas.
With nature as our guide, every day at Forest School is unique. There is however a general structure that we follow. Upon Arrival the children engage in some nature craft activities or provocations set out by our staff. Once everyone has arrived we hold a morning meeting, including an acknowledgement of country, and make plans for how we might spend our day. We gather together for group morning tea and lunch, as well as closing out our day with more nature craft or provocations back at our base camp.
The day's main activities can include:
- Bushcraft - making weapons and shelters, whittling, learning survival skills, map reading, tracking, etc
- Hikes
- Nature journaling/field guide creation
- Raft and bridge making
- "Just playing" in a variety of different landscapes within our site
- Animal spotting and learning about the vegetation
- Water and mud play
- Exploring geography by creating mini dams and rivers, boulder fields or mud maps
- Scientific observations
- Discussions of the changes to the landscape over time - both climate and human derived
Weather Conditions
"There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing" ...except, this is Queensland. So there is unsafe weather.
We run all year - we run in rain, we run in summer.
We don't run in: lightning storms, hail, dust storms, gale winds, extreme fire danger.
Daily program will vary with weather/seasons.
For example: We might go on long hikes in winter, but we won't in summer. In summer, we would stick by the creek or in shade.
Please bring, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, sturdy enclosed shoes/gumboots, spare clothes, snack and rain gear.
We still run in the rain. But will cancel for flood, thunderstorm, or fire risk.
We run all year - we run in rain, we run in summer.
We don't run in: lightning storms, hail, dust storms, gale winds, extreme fire danger.
Daily program will vary with weather/seasons.
For example: We might go on long hikes in winter, but we won't in summer. In summer, we would stick by the creek or in shade.
Please bring, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, sturdy enclosed shoes/gumboots, spare clothes, snack and rain gear.
We still run in the rain. But will cancel for flood, thunderstorm, or fire risk.
Location
Toohey Forest and Broadwater Picnic Ground.
What is Forest School?
Forest Schooling is a philosophy that comes out of Europe - particularly Germany and Scandinavia. In forest school nature acts as the classroom, inspiring all aspects of learning. What happens each day is very much dependent on the weather, some days may include long hikes, others muddy play or shade seeking activities. Rain and seasonal changes influence what flora and fauna is around, changing the inspiration and sparking different interests with the children. Here's two videos showing what forest school is all about in more detail.
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At Forest School all participants are viewed as:
- equal, unique and valuable
- competent to explore & discover
- entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenge
- entitled to choose, and to initiate and drive their own learning and development
- entitled to experience regular success
- entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves and other people
- entitled to develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world
This learner-centred approach interweaves with the ever-changing moods and marvels, potential and challenges of the natural world through the seasons to fill every Forest School session and programme with discovery and difference. Yet each programme does also share a common set of principles, aimed at ensuring that all learners experience the cumulative and lasting benefits that quality Forest School offers. www.forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/
At Forest School, learning to negotiate risk is a key component, and children are invited to climb, use real tools, build primitive weapons, and use fire, all with training and supervision. When children are given the opportunity to explore risky play, they learn to make their own risk assessments and quickly start to identify and understand risk better in all facets of life. They also build confidence and a sense of accomplishment. The long periods spent in nature at Forest School provides children with vitally important sensory and vestibular input that is sadly missing for many children today, as well as instilling a love of nature and sense of stewardship.
Pricing
Full or Part Time enrolment allows you access to both our Learning Center and Forest School offerings, you can mix between them as you please provided there are openings available, we take your preferences in the enrolment application.
Full Time Enrolment (3 days/week) - $50/day
Part time Enrolment (1-2 days/week) - $55/day
Casual Bookings (sporadic visits) - $65/day
Full Time and Part Time places will be invoiced upon completion of the enrolment form. These can be paid upfront or split into multiple payments during the term if required. Casual Bookings are made through the website and require payment when making the booking.
As we are not a school, day care center or a not for profit entity we do not qualify for any government funding/rebates.
Discounts will be made available to volunteers based on your level of involvement. Please let us know if you would be interested in volunteering.
Full Time Enrolment (3 days/week) - $50/day
Part time Enrolment (1-2 days/week) - $55/day
Casual Bookings (sporadic visits) - $65/day
Full Time and Part Time places will be invoiced upon completion of the enrolment form. These can be paid upfront or split into multiple payments during the term if required. Casual Bookings are made through the website and require payment when making the booking.
As we are not a school, day care center or a not for profit entity we do not qualify for any government funding/rebates.
Discounts will be made available to volunteers based on your level of involvement. Please let us know if you would be interested in volunteering.
Next Step
To join our Forest School please enrol using the link below. Trials days are also available allowing you to experience what we offer first hand.