Practitioners Course - Standard

Our conversation and discussions will be guided by the Elder or Knowledge Sharer present, acknowledging that their knowledge and teachings are incredibly valuable to this work. In keeping with the Forest School approach, this course is learner-led, emergent, inquiry-driven, and playful! We explore those pedagogies, tell stories, and dive deeply into supporting risky play. We may practice “hard” skills such as firebuilding, knots and tool work depending on the needs and interests of the group. And we share practical tips, recommendations, policies, and protocols for the day to day operations of a Forest/Nature School program. Please note: We do not extensively discuss “how to start a forest school” in terms of legislation or licensing requirements, which vary from province to province, and territory to territory. We recommend that you seek your own legal counsel and guidance from an insurance professional, and many of the course assignments are designed to help you put together the documentation legal and insurance professionals (and parents!) will ask of you. As each day unfolds, we will deepen our relationships with the Land, each other and ourselves.

Quick List of Themes we Explore:

• Relationship with Land and Working with the Land in your unique context

• Relationship with Play

• Relationship with Story

• Relationship with Learning

• Relationship with Power

• Relationship with Trust

• Relationship with Risk

Throughout the course we will hold space for conversations and experiences that bring these essential relationships to life within the context of Forest and Nature School. Some of the questions we may dive into include:

• Who or what has rights to the Land? Who or what has rights to take from the Land? In what way?

• How is our relationship with the Land? How can we deepen it and foster meaningful connection with it among children?

• What is emergent, child-led, play-based, and inquiry-driven learning? What does it look like, sound like, feel like, and what is our role as educators?

• What is risky play, why is it important, and how can we support it?

• How might we use fire, tools, and ropes, knots, and tarps to enrich our programs?

• What does a “typical day” at Forest/NatureSchool look like? How can this work in a “regular” school?

Practitioners are expected to complete all course elements within a 12 month timeframe, and we encourage participants to prepare to invest 2-5 hours/week reading, reflecting, connecting with the Land, and completing coursework. If a participant is unable to complete the coursework within the 12 months, they will be offered an additional three-month grace period after the one-year timeframe, for a total of 15 months to complete the course. After this 15 month period, practitioners can expect to incur an additional fee of $150 for an extra three months to complete their coursework. The course must be completed within 18 months to receive certification.

Please remember, this is a learner-led, highly self-directed program, and your mentors will not be checking up on you and enforcing readings or assignment completion.

At this time, there are no official prerequisites for this course. This course is designed for child-focused professionals, parents and caregivers who have influence on the learning experiences of children. Whether you are starting a program at your school or childcare facility, or exploring opening your own Nature Based program, this course can help you! 

A background understanding of the emergent learning process can be helpful to course participants, but is not required. This course has a flexible structure that takes learning out of the classroom and onto the Land. It’s unlike any course you’ve taken. Be prepared to learn from and be guided by the First Peoples of the Land when learning how to live in good relationship with Land.

This course is most often taken by educators and early learning professionals, but we’ve also noticed an increased attendance of homeschooling parents, outdoor enthusiasts or professional guides, recreation workers, social workers, occupational therapists and health care professionals.

Please connect with us if you’re considering attending and still have questions.