Frequently Asked Questions

Educational philosophy and inspiration

  1. What is your inspiration for outdoor education?

    For one, the thousands of years dating back far before history records humans writing, reading, or doing math and our obvious ability to learn, teach, and nurture many generations of ancestors.  Without the wild, are humans, plants, and animals not doomed?  To learn amazing lessons which will support our life and the life of future generations of humans and non-humans, all we need to do is go outside.  Mentors who are inspired to help guide students, young and old, to more connection, knowledge, experiential learning, and more can supercharge those teachings about the natural world; the plants, animals, weather, fire, water, rock… and the profound human connections which, if absent, inhibit learning dramatically, and, if nurtured, inspire people to live in gratitude, appreciation, and love for themselves and all others around them.  The level of complexity and depth of all there is to learn on Earth is not attainable without being outdoors.  Wilding Education knows this and remembers we are all wild and part of nature. We seek to meet our wildness, and educate it in ways which bring what is wild in us to more beautiful and powerful potential, wilding us until we cannot help but passionately love and protect what is wild and necessary for all life on Earth. 

  2. Books and authors that inspired this school, our approach and curriculum:

    Peter Gray Ph.D., Free to Learn

    Leonard Sax. Ph.D., Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men

    Lawrence Cohen, Ph.D., Playful Parenting: An Exciting New Approach to Raising Children that Will Help you Nurture Close Connections, Solve Behavior Problems, and Encourage Confidence

    Anthony DeBenedet M.D., & Lawrence Cohen Ph.D., The Art of Roughhousing: Good Old-Fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Need It.

What to bring to forest school and expectations

  1. What gear should I get for my child?
    For wet, cold weather: rain gear, rain boots, warm hat, base layers, socks, gloves, thermos for the winter, durable water-resistant backpack. Extra clothes in case students need to change. Wool or synthetic fabric are preferred since cotton does not regulate temperature well.

For warm, dry weather: cotton/synthetic layers, extra bag to carry wet clothes, change of clothes, sun hat, sandals that the child can get wet and hike in, sunscreen if preferred.

2. What should I pack for my child on the first day? 

  • Water bottle (minimum 12oz); adult sized water bottles work great and don’t need as much refilling. 

  • Backpack comfortable enough to carry. 

  • Shoes to hike in and get wet, muddy, sandy, dirty. 

  • Lunch and snack your child will eat.  

  • Any necessary medical or personal items.  

  • Change of clothes and extra bag to wet or soiled clothes.