Start a Free Forest School in Your Community
Help families connect with nature, build friendships, and create opportunities for outdoor play.
You do not need teach experience, outdoor experience, or a formal program.
FAQs
What is the role of the host?Hosting Is Simpler Than You Think. A Free Forest School Host does not have to be a teacher, naturalist, or outdoor expert.
Hosts are responsible for:
Choose a place to meet
Share event information
Welcome new families
Help create a safe and inclusive environment
What Support Will I Receive?When you become a host, you’ll receive:
✓ Access to the Host Hub
✓ Sample event ideas
✓ Resources for welcoming new families
✓ Support from experienced hosts
✓ Ongoing guidance from the Free Forest School board and community
What Does a Typical Free Forest School Meetup Look Like?
Caregivers and their children meet weekly at a park or natural area. Below is a sample of what your meeting might look like:
~15 minutes: gather at your meeting spot
~5 minutes: circle up for safety poem or expectations
~75 minutes: child-led exploration and play
~25 minutes: gather to share observations, a story, a song before saying goodbye
Where Do I Start?
You don't need to have everything figured out before starting a group. Many successful groups begin with a location, a simple communication method, and one planned meet-up.
Steps to Get Started:
1. Check for Existing Groups
See if there's already a group nearby and explore opportunities to collaborate. You can find a list at the Find a Local Group Page
2. Scout Locations for Group Meet Ups
You can use the Basics of Forest School Site Selection document for support.
3. Consider How You Will Communicate with your Group
You can use any website, social media platform, or app that works for your community. If you don't have one set up yet, you can leave that field blank on the group listing form and update it later. You can review Platform Options for Starting a Free Forest School Group. Additional communication resources are available in the Host Hub.
4. List Your Local Group
Fill out this form to List a Local Group so families can find your group through Free Forest School.
5. Connect with Other Hosts
Once you submit the form, you will receive an invitation to join the Free Forest School Host Hub on BAND, which is a free app. Here you will have access to a variety of resources that will help you get your group started as well as a community of other Hosts that can offer support.
6. Welcome Families Outdoors
Start small, learn as you go, and help families build meaningful connections through outdoor play and exploration.
If you are interested in reviewing additional resources that may help you in starting your group you can find them at the shared resource folder. Click the button below.
Defining Elements of Free Forest School
Free Forest School groups are bound to vary from place to place. However, certain key elements must remain in place. These are required characteristics that define Free Forest Schools.
FREE PLAY - each FFS session includes AT LEAST 60 minutes of uninterrupted free play.
CHILD-LED & EMERGENT - facilitators do not have a detailed agenda for the day’s learning, but rely on environmental phenomena and the interests of the children to dictate the day’s learning.
ROLE OF ADULTS - Adult participants are encouraged to use a “lightest touch” approach in their interventions with children. Adults will limit use of phones to emergencies.
SAFETY - Parents/caregivers are responsible for the safety of their own children. Each adult must choose how to manage objective risk at each site, which may include choosing not to participate
NATURE IMMERSION - FFS meetings take place in natural areas - places that are minimally impacted by humans. FFS DOES NOT take place at playgrounds, splash pads, pools, groomed gardens, etc.
PLACE BASED / RECURRENT - Weekly meetings must recur at a site for at least 6 months/ two consecutive seasons. “Pop-Up” or one-time events are to be scheduled sparingly.
OPEN AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY - FFS chapters are open to any local families/caregivers with children age 0-6 who wish to attend. Directors must admit any person that meets the basic qualifications.
FREE - FFS meetings are always free of cost to all participants.
ROUTINE - Each meeting adopts a gentle, repeated structure that holds a space for free play.
FLEXIBLE - To be inclusive of each child's needs, every aspect of the daily routine is considered optional; each family should participate as it works for them.
NO TOYS OR PETS - Toys are not permitted at FFS. Pets (other than service dogs) are not permitted for many reasons, including participant safety.
NO STROLLERS* - Strollers are generally discouraged. Many trails are not safe for strollers, and strollers do not support child-led exploration. *Strollers are warmly welcomed at accessible sites when needed to accommodate special needs.
RAIN OR SHINE - FFS meetings take place in all types of weather and are only cancelled in the case of threatening or dangerous weather conditions. See Cancellation Policy.
VOLUNTEER-RUN - All local leadership and facilitator positions are unpaid volunteer positions.