Forest School student Aislin Hood. The school is opening a Saugeen Shores chapter this fall at MacGregor Point Provincial Park’s Day Use Area on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the school year. Photo submitted

Hub Staff

The Owen Sound Forest School is putting down roots in Saugeen Shores, where young students will be guided into self-learning and discovery in a ratio of one teacher per six students two days a week at the At Last Forest School. Having opened in Owen Sound in 2016, the Saugeen Shores chapter will be located at MacGregor Point Provincial Park and taught by Debbie Val who graduated from Brock University’s Outdoor Recreation and Education program and Lakehead University’s Education in Outdoor Ecological and Experiential Education as well as co-teacher Carlin Val who holds the same Lakehead as Val as well as an Honours Degree in Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism.

“Forest School programs follow two guiding principles that distinguishes them from other outdoor and environmental education programs: regular and repeated access to a natural space, as well as child-directed, emergent and inquiry-based learning,” said Debbie Val.

“The defining feature is that children are provided with opportunities to build a deeper connection with nature, to a dedicated educator, to their classmates and to themselves through this educational opportunity,” she said, adding that students will find space to work independently.

Forest School is an education initiative of the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada, in connection with Forest School Canada. “Forest School can often be described as a ‘magical’ thing to witness and be a part of” and a “world where children collaborate, communicate and build trust,” Val explained.

When announced that the Forest School would run in Saugeen Shores, Val said there was an immediate response from parents looking to enrol their children. The school will run during the same months as the Bluewater District School Board and will have a base camp during the cooler months. “We have an indoor heated shelter, our Forest School Tiny Home, that will be parked at our base camp (Day Use Area at MacGregor Point). This will be accessible for the entire year, however is only a necessity during the winter months for children to warm up, change clothing and eat their snacks and lunches,” Val said, explaining that Forest School educators will consult the forecast during the day as weather-related safety is considered in all decisions.

The cost is $50 per day and the school features three age groups: Nature Preschool, age 18 months to 3 years (must be accompanied by a parent); Kinder-Gardeners, age 4 to 7 years; and Earth Explorers, age 8 to 12 years. Val is currently accepting resumes for a Saugeen Shores Forest School Teacher. For details, visit atlastadventures.com/job-postings.

Val said that the school follows the Forest School Canada guidelines and abides by the recreation exemption under the Childcare and Early Years Act. “As certified Ontario teachers and early childhood educators, it is in our nature to make many connections to the Ontario curriculum. We are however not in any rush, nor do we follow a curriculum guideline, this allows us to embark on grand adventures with the students as our guides. It is a true representation of emergent curriculum and child-inspired education,” said Val.

More information on the Saugeen Shores Forest School can be found here at atlastadventures.com/ssfs.

Student Dylan Harris participating in outdoor play at the Owen Sound Forest School. Photo submitted