Monday, July 10 – Friday, July 14: 9am-4pm
Ages 4-12
Forest School recognizes the intrinsic relationship between all people and nature. Our mission is to provide children with the space to nurture this relationship through unstructured play, curiosity-driven exploratory learning, hands-on projects, and outdoor skills development, all within a physically safe and emotionally supportive environment. Through forest school, students learn to be resilient, self-reliant, and confidently inquisitive.
Our Summer Forest School program condenses the semester-long curriculum into week-long, immersive day camps for children ages 4-12. With nature as our classroom, guide and companion our daily activities are based on fostering three things: purposeful work, observation, and exploration. Purposeful work may consist of carving sticks, sawing wood, gathering acorns, building a shelter, building and cooking on a fire, creating natural art–the list is endless! We take time to observe the little ways the world changes, even in the course of a week. Outdoor play allows the children to honor the strong developmental need to jump, twist, tug, pull, balance, roll, run, climb, dig, sort, build, weave, and create. This play also develops fine and gross motor skills, executive function, spatial awareness, balance, coordination, kindness, and empathy. Children work together, using their strong imaginations and ideas to sort out all types of social situations.
Preparedness is important! Each day is spent entirely outdoors in all types of weather. In order to fully immerse ourselves in the environment, it is essential that children come prepared for the day’s weather and with the understanding that it is ok to get dirty! Comfort and proper clothing are of utmost importance. A seasonal packing list will be provided in camp materials.
Cumming Nature Center is a dynamic, 900-acre environmental education facility that celebrates the unique landscape and culture of the Finger Lakes region through experiential learning opportunities and thoughtful exhibits. Educational programming at CNC explores the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. These programs are designed to inspire innovative and creative thinking among participants and provide them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take action in the face of local, regional, and global challenges.
RMSC Members need to "Sign In/Register" at the top of this page to receive member discounts.