Exploring Childhood Outdoors
E.C.O. is a Reggio-Inspired Forest School enrichment program for young children.
Sprouts
-
Ages: 3 - 6 years by August 15, 2025
-
Days: Mondays & Wednesdays
-
Time: TBA (6-hour classes)​​​
-
Foci: Social-emotional learning and foundational knowledge in the natural sciences
E.C.O. Sprouts is a Forest School enrichment for young children who enjoy learning through play and exploring in nature.
More information will become available based on the feedback provided by our community. Please complete our brief survey.
Saplings
-
Ages: Kindergarten - Grade 3
-
Days: Tuesdays and/or Thursdays
-
Time: TBA (6-hour classes)​​​​​​​
-
Foci: Social-emotional learning, natural sciences, and bushcraft
E.C.O. Saplings is a Forest School enrichment for school-aged children to enhance their homeschool educational program.
More information will become available based on the feedback provided by our community. Please complete our brief survey.
The E.C.O. Experience
A PLAYce for an Authentic Childhood
-
Hours of uninterrupted outdoor time immersed in nature
-
All-weather experiences
-
Open-ended and self-directed exploratory play
-
Process art and expression
-
Emergent curricular experiences embedded in play
-
Priority is placed on open-ended, exploratory play.
-
Learning invitations are seasonal, nature-based, and connected to the children's daily outdoor discoveries.
-
We incorporate developmentally appropriate practices in Early Childhood Education with a holistic approach inspired by the Reggio Emilia educational philosophies.
-
-
​Specialized opportunities for expeditions to learn about our local waterways, caves, farms, and forests.
-
Outdoor Learning Hubs​
Benefits
-
Developmentally appropriate learning environments customized to your child's interests and needs.
-
Multi-aged group opportunities for social learning through peer mentorships:
-
Mentor - helps others
-
Explorer - leads wondering and inquiry threads
-
Builder - leads hands-on creation
-
Scribe - documents through drawing, dictation, or photos
-
-
Continuous learning from a balanced calendar.
-
10-week sessions​ with seasonal breaks
-
See our Calendar
-
-
Frequent authentic documentation of the learning process will connect you with your child’s day.
-
Bushcraft learning will be supported based on your child's group and skill level.
-
Exclusive events include bonfires, special visit days, holiday celebrations, campouts, child-led performances, and ceremonies.​​
-
This specialized enrichment aims to foster the love and joy of experiential learning in nature and develop the social-emotional regulation skills to promote success throughout your child's life.
E.C.O. is a Forest School enrichment that is regulated by the people, for the people.
E.C.O. Seeds
A morning Forest Preschool program for budding naturalists.
The days of early childhood should be filled with the right to choose, move, create, be read to, sing, connect, be outside, ask questions, observe, discuss, reflect, express feelings, make mistakes, and solve problems—all accomplished while playing.
Play-based learning invites your child to:
​
-
Learn and exercise social and emotional skills.
-
Enhance cognitive and process skills.
-
Explore foundational forestry and ecology curricular concepts.
-
Investigate the world through emergent curricula embedded throughout the play experience.
-
Connect with passionate, highly-qualified educators who value and understand the process of learning.
This opportunity is designed as the first step into nature-based play for children aged three to four years old.
Children should always arrive dressed for the current weather conditions.
-
Parent Play begins at 8:45 a.m.
-
Open-ended Play in Hubs at 9:00 a.m.
-
Morning Meeting
-
Self-directed Exploratory Play
-
Storytime
-
Farewell at 12:00 p.m.
E.C.O. Seeds' Daily Rhythm