The true essence and advantages of forest schooling are most effectively realized over the long term, allowing leaders the opportunity to intimately understand each individual and customize their planning for each session or season according to the unique skills, interests, and needs of each learner and each group as a whole.

 

Summer camps however provide an excellent entry point for families considering a long-term commitment to our program, offering them a chance to familiarize themselves with our ethos and approach. These camps are equally beneficial for children enrolled in traditional indoor schools during the academic year, providing them with the opportunity to experience the full-day exploration of woodlands, pursue their own curiosities, and acquire new nature-based skills and knowledge.

Our educational approach revolves around the theory of "loose parts", a term coined by Simon Nicholson. Nicholson proposed that there was no evidence to suggest that some of us are born creative and inventive and some of us not. Instead he recognized children’s need to make and build things, play with fluids, water, mud or living objects, and “all the things that satisfy one’s curiosity and give us the pleasure that results from discovery and invention.” Nicholson described loose parts as ‘variables’ and provided examples such as materials and shapes, media such as gases and fluids; sounds, music, motion; chemical interactions, cooking and fire; and other humans, and animals, plants, words, concepts and ideas. With all these things all children love to play, experiment, discover and invent and have fun.

Natural environments such as forests or beaches provide boundless loose parts with more play possibilities than many artificial play spaces such as a school playground or a tidy urban park. Moreover, these spaces can be enriched by the regular addition of plentiful loose parts.

 

At Two Pines Forest School, we offer children an immersive and hands-on learning experience in nature, focusing on the power of loose parts free play while incorporating arts and sciences. Our approach creates a dynamic and laboratory-like environment that best nurtures children's inherent curiosities and passions. As professional artists, collaborators, and educators, our team embraces the transformative power of artistic methods and processes. We firmly believe that learning should be joyful and self-directed to become profound and lasting. By fostering a space where children can guide their own learning journey, we aim to cultivate joy, autonomy, and confidence as well as a lifelong passion for learning.

 

Mixed Age Learning: We will group children into two or three bands based on age and suggest developmentally appropriate activities. however we want children to enjoy the benefits of mixed-age learning as well. Such environments provide unique opportunities for children to interact with peers of various ages, fostering a sense of community, empathy, and cooperation. Older children naturally take on mentorship roles, while younger ones benefit from guidance and support. This dynamic encourages social and emotional development, as children learn to navigate diverse relationships and collaborate effectively and by emphasizing collaboration over competition, these environments cultivate essential skills and social behaviors such as compassion, altruism, teamwork and problem-solving.

We have weekly summer camps starting from June 9th to August 15th. Every week’s planning and activities differ as we try to address the unique interests and needs of each group as best as we can, but the schedule of each day roughly looks like this:

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9:00 AM Drop-off

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9.05 AM Story time

Story time is the first activity of the morning, creating a gentle and welcoming space as children arrive and settle in for the day. This focused time allows everyone to come together and transition into the rhythm of camp. We carefully select books with high-quality art, creative illustrations, and imaginative stories that emphasize a love for nature and the development of social-emotional skills. These thoughtfully chosen stories inspire creativity, nurture a connection to the natural world, and help build a sense of community as the day begins.

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9.30 AM Mindfulness Circle

Our mindfulness circle is a time for children to center themselves and cultivate a sense of calm and focus. During this time we engage in activities like yoga, breathing techniques, and simple meditations to help children connect with their bodies and minds. We conclude the circle with joyful music, dance, and movement, celebrating the energy and vibrancy of the group. This combination of stillness and expression fosters self-awareness, emotional balance, and a sense of joy that carries into the rest of the day.

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10.00 AM Snack-time

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10.15 AM Imaginative Play and Activities.**

Take off on an adventure in the landscape. Exploration, Free play, Nature Walk, Scavenger Hunt and Activity of the day. We usually take advantage of the nature walks, exploration, and scavenger hunts as dynamic methods to gather the loose parts necessary for the day's activities. Each day of the week features a distinct theme that serves as inspiration for our engaging endeavors.

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12:00 PM Lunch

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12.30 PM Reflection and Closing Circle
During this time children may take turns sharing highlights from their day, discussing what they learned, or expressing any thoughts or feelings that arose during their time in nature, allowing for meaningful dialogue and fostering a sense of community and connection among us all..
Additionally, the closing circle provides an opportunity for the teachers to offer words of encouragement, acknowledge achievements, and reinforce important lessons learned throughout the day.

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12.45 PM Music and Free Style Dance

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01:00 PM Pick up/ Aftercare begins

We offer aftercare from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and offer nap in a tent for children who take nap during this time. 

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** Our activities are diverse and emergent; Our stories are specifically chosen to excite and encourage children for the activity; through story telling we provide them with suggestions, doing our best to support children in finding their own interest, exploring their curiosity and directing their own learning process. These activities include but are not limited to: loose parts play and maker’s space with natural material and treasure hunts, outdoor games, mud sculpting, nature-collage, jewelry making, land art, basket weaving, den building, cooking, science, planting & gardening, nature conservation projects and more.

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Every day of the week brings its own unique theme:

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Magic Monday - "Each modest stick preserves its unique journey in its shape, and no two sticks in the whole world are exactly the same!" We start the week by learning to see the magic of the forest through activities that focus on deepening observational skills and attuning to the rich sensory experiences of the forest.

Artsy Tuesday - Whether it's collaborating on a group land art project, working on solo pieces and craft projects, or performing and role playing with made up natural costumes, Tuesdays are all about artistic exploration and expression. 

Wonder Wednesday - A time for diving into the scientific wonders of our wooded surroundings! From learning about the intricacies of water, trees, plants, and animals to creating hands-on projects that deepen our connection with nature, Wednesdays are all about embracing curiosity and discovery.

Surprise Thursday - Always a surprise, Thursdays are tailored to the unique interests and desires of our group.

Yummy Friday - Wrap up the week with a flavorful adventure! Fridays at our forest school are dedicated to coming together to create delicious dishes on our site's BBQ pits. Whether we're grilling veggies, cooking pancakes, or sipping on hot chocolate and herbal tea, it's a time to bond, reflect on the week's adventures, and celebrate our community.

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Summer 2025 Weekly Camp Session Dates:

 

06/02/25 to 06/06/25  no camp

Session 1: 06/09/25 to 06/13/25
Session 2: 06/16/25 to 06/20/25
Session 3: 06/23/25 to 06/27/25

06/30/25 to 07/04/25  no camp

Session 4: 07/07/25 to 07/11/25
Session 5: 07/14/25 to 07/18/25
Session 6: 07/21/25 to 07/25/25
Session 7: 07/28/25 to 08/01/25
Session 8: 08/04/25 to 08/08/25
Session 9: 08/11/25 to 08/15/25

08/18/25 to 08/22/25  no camp
08/25/25 to 08/29/25  no camp

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Age group: 3.5 to 8 years old

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Fees:

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Each session is one week, Mon to Fri. Families can choose to leave at 1:00 PM or extend care until 3:00 PM. We offer nap-time after 1:00 PM as well, if needed.

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9:00 AM to 1:00 PM                                 $440 per week
Aftercare: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM               $120 per week
Full session: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM          $560 per week