Forest Learning Collective
FLC Programs
We offer age-based groups encompassing Kindergarten through High School. These groups are flexible and follow a curriculum based on Reggio Emilia's philosophy that is student centered, self directed, place-based and experiential in nature. The program emphasizes core values of respect, community, and responsibility through exploration and discovery.
FLC Day Program
Choose Monday/Wednesday, Friday, or all three days, Sept-June. Your child will be learning with peers and loving nature on the beautiful Henry’s Meadows fields, forests and Marl Pond. Learning groups from Kindergarten to 12th grade.
While everyday is different in the forest, learners thrive in a structure and rhythm. Days begin with Morning Circle, then Nature Foray, Lunch, Wander, Stewardship, and end with Afternoon Circle. There is plenty of time for project work, journaling, gathering, preparing, researching, sharing, building and hands-on time.
Thursday Program
Our Thursday program is offered in a near-by mixed hardwood and spruce forest, wetland and features a mixed age group of learners. We spend our days in the wetland doing hands-on research and exploration, and invite experts in the natural sciences fields to add to our knowledge. Each season ends with a culminating event where we present our work and celebrate. Thursdays are offered from Sept-December and March-June, we take a wintertime pause so our learners can enjoy the FLC Ski Club at Greek Peak.
Summer FLC
Flexible ‘drop-in’ programming that fits your summer plans. Our summer program is small (<10) and offers summer days in nature with guides who provide nature connection and are knowledgeable about neurodivergence.
Tween and Teen Programs
Tweens
FLC offers learning groups in our m/w/f programs that support tween needs for social connection and independence. Tweens can dive into projects more deeply, have the ability to use more research tools, and are more interested in learning about the communities around them. They need more time to form emotionally safe spaces in which to explore new ideas. Our guides offer support in fulfilling their creative ideas and project goals. Past projects: gardening in the geodesic dome, composting, year-long animal research, citizen science/ornithology, wood-fired pottery, creating a zine, projectiles (nerf, altalt, bow staves, trebuchet, etc), writing and performing plays, creating an open fire cookbook, and entrepreneurial projects.
Teens
FLC offers learning groups in our m/w/f programs that support teen needs for autonomy and responsibility. At FLC we believe teens desire and need to be doing real work in the world and are ready to take action in projects they care about. Teen years are perfect for honing active listening skills, respecting differing opinions, and learning to build consensus with others in their community. Past projects include: building a real 10x20 cabin, three-month wetland research in canoes, a three-month arts intensive (stone carving, printmaking, pottery), building a lodge using Haudenosaunee technologies, writing a forest management plan, internships in local businesses, fundraising projects for special purposes, and deep dives into history with a focus on place-based knowledge.
High School Teen Specialty Intensives
FLC offers shorter-term, immersive projects that parents find can help fulfill units needed towards high school completion. These nature-based, place-based, curiosity driven units are usually 15 week projects (Sept-Dec or March-June) Past projects have helped complement parents' compliance with Biology, Earth Science, Social Studies, Art, Math and Elective 109 hour units.
Teen Tuesday Campfire Hangout
Tuesday evenings in the summer are hang-out by the campfire time for teens. This program is led by FLC ‘graduate’ teens, with a guide on hand to help facilitate.
For more information or to schedule a site visit contact us at forestlearningcollective@gmail.com
