Outdoor Education Programs for Children in VA and SC
CATAWBA, VA FOREST SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Upcoming Open House: November 9, 2023
Sign up under the tab "booking" at https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/valleyforestschool
The Catawba, VA location is nestled in the Appalachian mountains just minutes from the stunning peaks of the Appalachian Trail including McAfee Knob and Dragon's Tooth. Located on 74 acres, the key features of this private property are mountaintop views, open forest for exploration, shelter building, and fire building, a large field for games, a mud kitchen and picnic area, and a healthy mountain spring. Dozens of forest acres haven't been touched in decades which are teeming with wildlife including wild turkey, black bear, whitetail deer, skunks, raccoons, turtles, and so much more. Not only is the forest filled with natural habitat for animals, but is an oasis for native plants that are abundant for harvesting with the students season after season. VFS Catawba was the first VFS location that opened in 2019.
The Forest School Programs of Valley Forest School are focused on nature-based skills including foraging, wild crafting, whittling, fire building, shelter building, and survival skills. Students are immersed in nature on a weekly basis through hikes, nature walks, campfire baking, and foraging for wild edibles. These students experience hands-on primitive skills through knot tying, fire building, local fauna and wildlife identification, and wild crafting.
FOREST PRESCHOOL- AGES 3-4
Forest preschool programs are ideal for children and parents who appreciate outdoor education in all 4 seasons in some of the earliest and most formative years of life. The program for 3-4 year olds focuses on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development intertwined with connecting with nature.
All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion. Preschool classes are 4 hours.
Enrollment for one semester is required. Enrollment for one year is preferred. Classes are on a weekly basis for 1-3 days per week.
Visit our parent portal to view more details about our forest preschool programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.
FOREST KINDERGARTEN- AGES 5-7
Forest Kindergarten programs are ideal for children and parents who appreciate outdoor education in all 4 seasons in the early educational years of life. The Forest Kindergarten students focus on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development intertwined with connecting with nature.
Forest Kindergarten does not replace traditional kindergarten. It is a homeschool enrichment program.
All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion. Kindergarten classes are 5.5 hours.
Enrollment for one semester is required. Enrollment for one year is preferred. Classes are on a weekly basis for 1-3 days per week.
Visit our parent portal to view more details about our forest kindergarten programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.
FOREST CO-OP- AGES 8-12
Forest Co-Op programs are ideal for children and parents who appreciate outdoor education in all 4 seasons throughout older childhood. The Forest Co-Op program focuses on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development intertwined with connecting with nature.
Forest Co-Op is a homeschool enrichment program.
All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion. Classes are 5.5 hours.
Enrollment for one semester is required. Enrollment for one year is preferred. Classes are on a weekly basis for 1-3 days per week.
Visit our parent portal to view more details about our forest co-op programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.
FOREST CO-OP- AGES 13-17
PILOT YEAR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 2023!
Forest Co-Op programs are ideal for children and parents who appreciate outdoor education in all 4 seasons throughout the oldest phase of childhood in the teen years. This Forest Co-Op program focuses on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development intertwined with connecting with nature on a high adventure basis.
Forest Co-Op is a homeschool enrichment program.
All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion.
Enrollment for one semester is required. Enrollment for one year is preferred. Classes meet twice a month.
Visit our parent portal to view more details about our forest co-op programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.