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Fern Gully Forest School
Where Learning Grows Wild!
Step into the heart of Fern Gully Forest, where learning comes alive and children bloom in courage and confidence. Here, amidst whispering woods and garden paths, young explorers dive into a world of place-based learning, hands-on science, creative play and natural magic.
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Each day is an adventure—tracking wildlife, asking big questions, building shelters, wildcrafting, and forming friendships that root deep like old trees. Through inquiry, imagination, and hands-on discovery, children grow in creativity and important life skills.
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We weave together academics with social-emotional learning, wilderness awareness, ancestral skills and earth wisdom, nurturing not only bright minds but brave hearts.
Let your child grow wild and wise: learning through the language of the land, grounded in a sense of belonging, joy, wonder, compassion and courage that will last a lifetime.
Now Enrolling Summer Camps
​Our full nature-immersion program is outside rain or shine through all the seasons building character and emotional resilience. However, we do have facilities, play equipment, and covered areas to eat, warm up, read books, get creative with art, and other nature-based learning activities.​​​
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Small groups and a mixed ages approach fosters compassion, understanding, and leadership skills. We create a nurturing environment where children can develop the resilience, creativity, confidence, social skills and emotional intelligence needed to thrive in school and life!​
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We learn through imaginative play, science experiments, creative projects, nature observations, reading and journaling, yoga and mindfulness practices, expressive art, singing, dancing, making music, team building games and more!
OUR RATES
We believe that life is abundant and there are enough resources to go around for everyone in our community to THRIVE. Because of this, we use a 3-tiered, Sliding Scale Model that helps those with a little extra to support those in need.
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Thank you for your honesty and for supporting all those in our community to have access to high-quality education.
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3-tiered Sliding Scale:
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Supported (Families who are Financially in Need)
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Sustained (Our Regular Rate)
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Supporting (Families who are able to Give to Those in Need)​​​​​
Preschool through K: 9am -1pm
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
Daily Drop-in Rate: $50/$60/$70​​
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Afterschool 1-3pm:
Daily Drop-in Rate: $20/$30/$40​​​
*Inquire if space is available.
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Sibling Discount: 10% off tuition!
Contact us for more info and options.
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Programs & Monthly Rates:​​​
Days Per Week | 9am - 1pm | 1pm - 3pm | Enrichment 9:30-3:30 |
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5 Days | $800 | $320 | $1100 |
4 Days | $700 | $280 | $980 |
3 Days | $600 | $240 | $740 |
2 Days | $450 | $180 | $520 |
1 Day | $225 | $100 | $320 |
Download Policies and Application:
REGISTRATION
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Please contact us via email to schedule a phone interview or tour and inquire about space.
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Registration fee: $55/$75/$95 (sliding scale) non-refundable for administrative costs.
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Enrollment Deposit: A $200 deposit is required for registration, which is refundable with a 30 day written notice.
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Save your Spot! Click this link​ to pay the registration fee and deposit online. Please add a note with your kids name and the days you would like.
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Complete the Application. You can download it here. Please fill out the form electronically then e-mail to: ferngullyschool@gmail.com
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Tuition is due in full by the first of the month or first day, unless special arrangements are made.
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Please contact us if you have any questions or cost is prohibitive. We envision a world where quality outdoor education is affordable for all. Low-income discounts may be available. Inquire to apply.
Additional Details
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Small groups with experienced guides. Teachers are background checked and First Aid/CPR certified.
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Mixed age ranges encourage confidence, leadership, compassion, and working as a team.
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Children must be able to use the bathroom with minimal assistance and communicate their needs.
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Bring a water bottle, plenty of food, and a change of clothes in a backpack. Dress in layers and have waterproof gear. Please do not bring toys.
"Absolutely outstanding! Our daughter has been nurtured, inspired and challenged in so many positive ways. Forever thankful for the heart, thought and research-based knowledge that has poured into our child. In this age of screens, it’s never been more important to connect her intentionally to nature. Each day she is there she is cared for, plays her heart out and comes home covered in dirt as every kid should! Love it there and can’t recommend it enough."
~Megan
Restorative Justice the NatureWise Way
At Fern Gully Forest School, we honor challenges as opportunities for connection, growth, and healing. Conflict and mistakes are natural parts of learning, and we respond not with punishment, but with empathy, responsibility, and connection.
Through our Restorative Forest Council Process, we help children reflect, repair, and restore trust to become more attuned to themselves, others, and the living world around them.​ When harm occurs, children gather in circle to share what happened, listen deeply, and co-create a plan to make things right and rebuild trust. This builds emotional intelligence, personal responsibility, and strong, respectful relationships.
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Our approach is rooted in the 8 Sacred Attributes of Connection, teachings from Lakota tradition carried forward by Jon Young through the Deep Nature Connection movement. These attributes form the heart of our community culture:
A Culture of Care
These values are not imposed -- they’re encouraged, modeled, celebrated, and integrated. Through story, play, and shared experience -- children build trust and strong bonds infused with empathy and compassion while learning to navigate conflict with accountability, courage, confidence and kindness.
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Together, we grow a culture where everyone belongs — and every voice matters.