Outdoor Education Programs for Children in VAÂ and SC
PALMYRA, VA FOREST SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Classes offered at our Palmyra, VA location:
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0-3 years old- Forest Sprouts- a 7 week parent and child class
3-4 years old- Forest Seedlings- a weekly drop off class that runs for the duration of the school year.
5-7 years old- Forest Saplings- a weekly drop off class that runs for the duration of the school year.
8-12 years old- Forest Oaks- a weekly drop off class that runs for the duration of the school year.
The Palmyra, VA location is right outside the hustle and bustle of Charlottesville, VA. Located on over 80 acres, the key features of this private property are open forest for exploration, grassy fields, chickens, hiking trails, and a shallow creek which attracts animals of all kinds. Dozens of untouched forest acres are available to be explored easily on the flat terrain. 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. In time, the Palmyra location will also be home to a Christmas tree farm and flower farm. VFS Palmyra was the 4th VFS location opening in 2024.
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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 SPROUTS- AGES 0-3
This 7 week parent and child class is one of the best ways to get your feet wet at forest school! For those considering forest school as a part of your child's education, it's the perfect "Intro to Forest School".
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Expect your little one to create mudpies, listen to great stories, help build a fire, forage for wild foods, jump in a mud puddle, and help make tea and hot cocoa over the fire. As a bonus, you'll make new friends along the way as you're guided through activities to enhance the outdoor experience.
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Visit our parent portal to sign up for Forest Sprouts!
FOREST SEEDLINGS- AGES 3-4
Forest Seedlings is 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.
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All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion. Seedlings classes are 4 hours.
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Classes are on a weekly basis for 1-3 days per week.
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Visit our parent portal to view more details about our programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.
FOREST SAPLINGS- AGES 5-7
Forest Saplings is ideal for children and parents who appreciate outdoor education in all 4 seasons in the early educational years of life. Saplings students focus on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development intertwined with connecting with nature.
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Forest Saplings is a homeschool enrichment program.
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All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion. Classes are 5.5 hours.
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Classes are on a weekly basis for 1-3 days per week.
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Visit our parent portal to view more details about our programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.
FOREST OAKS- AGES 8-12
Forest Oaks ideal for children and parents who appreciate outdoor education in all 4 seasons throughout older childhood. The Oaks program focuses on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development intertwined with connecting with nature.
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Forest Oaks is a homeschool enrichment program.
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All VFS programs are 100% outdoors in total nature immersion. Classes are 5.5 hours.
​
Classes are on a weekly basis for 1-3 days per week.
​
Visit our parent portal to view more details about our programs including class times, requirements, and tuition/fees.