Forest Fun Camps

At Fern Gully, your child can make wonderful memories, play in our magical forest, and grow in courage and confidence. They'll tend the garden, harvest wild edibles, play team games and explore the creek, among many other forest adventures.

Kids enjoy hands-on science projects and fun activities while learning about the plants, animals, and ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest. They develop important life and survival skills, build lasting friendships, and enjoy the wonder and medicine in nature.

Summer Sessions (monthly)
June 29 - July 24
July 27 - Aug 21

Week 1: Forest Foundations & Nature Magic

Discover the magic of Fern Gully Forest with wilderness awareness & team building games, learning how to care for the Earth & each other.

Week 2: Berry Bonanza & Foraging Fun

Savor the sweet gifts of the forest while learning to forage with care.

Week 3: Water & Creek Explorers

Splash into discovery as we follow the flow of the creek & critters.

Week 4: Survival & Pollinator Care

Build primal skills, play team games & tend the garden for the tiny heroes that keep us all fed and make the world more beautiful.

Week 5: Elemental Magic

Explore the elements: earth, air, fire & water. Play the forest school way & learn to care for the more-than-human world.

Week 6: Animal Allies & Wild Ways

Track, move, play & imagine your way into the lives of forest creatures.

Week 7: Time Travelers of the Land

Step into the past to see how glaciers & volcanoes formed our landscapes with dinosaurs, archeological digs & hands-on science.

Week 8: Harvesting & Wildcrafting

Enjoy summer’s end with harvesting & creating wild culinary delights.

Weekly Rates 6 hour programs: $280/$340/$380

Ages 3 - 5: 9am - 1pm or 3pm

Ages 6 - 12: 9:30am - 3:30pm

*Contact us if you have siblings in both age groups & want to drop-off/pick-up together

Monthly Rates (4 hours/day):

1 Day per week: $200/$225/$250

2 Days per week: $400/$450/$500

3 Days per week: $550/$600/$650

4 Days per week: $650/$700/$750

5 Days per week: $750/$800/$850

Monthly Rates (ages 6-12):

Low-income/Regular/Abundant

1 Day per week: $240/$300/$380

2 Days per week: $480/$540/$580

3 Days per week: $700/$740/$780

4 Days per week: $940/$980/$1020

5 Days per week: $1020/$1060/$1100

REGISTRATION
Please contact us with questions:

ferngullyschool@gmail.com or call (360)305-0021.

Registration fee: $50 - $75 non-refundable admin/supplies fee.

Enrollment Deposit: $200 deposit (not needed for drop-in) is applied to the tuition and is refundable with a 30 day cancellation notice.

SAVE YOUR SPOT. Send the admin fee & deposit at this link.

Please include a note with your child's name and days you'd like.

ADDITONAL DETAILS

Experienced Teachers are First Aid and CPR certified.
Two programs for children ages 3 - 5 and 6-12. Small groups & mixed ages encourage learning empathy, kindness, leadership, and collaborative skills that help kids excel in school and life!
Children must be comfortable using an outhouse with minimal assistance and be able to communicate their needs.
Bring a water bottle, snacks, a lunch, sunscreen, natural mosquito repellant, water shoes, and a change of clothes.

Thank you for choosing outdoor education that gives back to the environment for future generations!

Application

Hands-on Science

Outdoor experiences can be an excellent way to provide hands-on science education to children. Here are some of the ways in which these experiences can support learning:

Observation and Inquiry: Outdoor experiences provide children with the opportunity to observe and interact with the natural world. This can help them develop critical thinking skills and an inquiry-based approach to learning, as they ask questions and seek answers about the plants, animals, and ecosystems they encounter.
Hands-on Experiences: education is often most effective when it is hands-on and experiential. Outdoor experiences provide children with opportunities to engage in activities such as gardening, animal care, and nature walks, which can help them learn about concepts in a meaningful way.
Environmental Awareness: children develop an awareness of environmental issues and the ways in which humans impact the natural world. This can lead to a deeper understanding of concepts such as ecology, climate change, and sustainability. At Fern Gully, kids get to develop a sense of belonging and pride knowing that just by being here they are helping to protect the forest and contribute to a better future.
Integration of STEM: Science education is often integrated with technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts. Outdoor experiences can provide children with opportunities to engage in activities such as building structures, designing irrigation systems and planting plans, or conducting soil and water analysis, which can help them develop skills in these areas.
Connecting Classroom Learning: Outdoor experiences can also help children connect what they learned during the school year in the traditional classroom with real-world situations. For example, a lesson on photosynthesis in the classroom can be reinforced and expanded upon through hands-on gardening activities or forest adventures.

Overall, outdoor experiences can be an effective way to support science education by providing children with hands-on learning opportunities, encouraging inquiry-based learning, fostering environmental awareness, integrating STEM concepts, and connecting learning with real-world situations.