Kingston Forest & Nature School
3711 County Road 38 K0H 1V0 Kingston, ON, Canada

Warmth & Weather Shop & Support event on now! More fundraisers starting in MAY! ... "SHOP & SUPPORT with your purchase of base layers & outerwear from Warmth and Weather. Help us recuperate some funds & cover the costs of some upcoming projects. Use this link to shop & donate 15%* of what you spend to KFNS: https://warmthandweather.ca/?ref=kfns If you are local and want in on FREE* group shipping, use this code: kfns21 Please share this post & help us raise some money for Kingston Forest & Nature School! *Now through April 30th."

SHOP & SUPPORT with your purchase of base layers & outerwear from Warmth and Weather. Help us recuperate some funds & cover the costs of some upcoming projects. Use this link to shop & donate 15%* of what you spend to KFNS: https://warmthandweather.ca/?ref=kfns If you are local and want in on FREE* group shipping, use this code: kfns21... Please share this post & help us raise some money for Kingston Forest & Nature School! *Now through April 30th.

Way to go Trailhead Kingston! So exciting!

Let them be bored! 1000 Hours Outside

What to wear when it is hot or cold or wet! Thanks Child and Nature Alliance of Canada

"Children are naturally inclined toward the things in nature that are helpful for their development. Puddles are readily available! Nature doesn’t skimp! Get a pair of tall rain boots or go barefoot! Bring a towel and some extra pants and underwear along. Clothes are washable. Don't miss the chance for your child to learn, through experience and experimentation, the delicate balance of how much force to use!" https://www.1000hoursoutside.com//the-spectacular-science- 1000 Hours Outside

How do you support relationship building with nature?

OUR SUPPORTERS ARE THE BEST!!! DUE TO THE AMAZING RESPONSE TO OUR POST FOR VEGGIES AND FRUIT - OUR FRIDGES AND PANTRIES ARE FULL!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! We need your help! We are in need of Spring mix, carrots, romaine lettuce, sweet potatoes, broccoli, apples and squash. Thank you!!

"Simple, seemingly frivolous nature play turns the world around for children. This thing they want to do anyway, that they are naturally drawn to helps them tremendously with their academics and their social skills. It enhances their health and emotional well-being. And all the while, it does the same for us. What a miracle." FREE tracker sheet https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/trackers... 1000 Hours Outside

Children need to rest. But, there is something so important not only about children getting this downtime, but also about HOW we as adults believe that it shoul...d look and be scheduled. We need to make room for more spontaneous, child-led and designed moments of release. I can't tell you how many times both in our yard and nature-program that I've seen children spontaneously lie down to rest... on logs, leaning against each other, just spread out unapologetically on the ground in the middle of the day. And it's not just young children. The older ones will lean up against a tree, stare off into the fire, retreat to a small, special hideaway they've built for just such a purpose. To breathe. To recharge. To just BE. When we start strictly regimenting, over-scheduling and curating these breaks, it subverts a child's natural rhythm and instincts. Do that enough and eventually, we start to blunt our body's cues and unique needs. Let's support a culture of normalizing spontaneous, diverse expression of the body at rest & integration. I would love to see any instances you have of your children taking these breaks - participating in these small acts of individuality and quiet resistance. Next time you see a child lie down, rest or seem to "zone out" outside, just know they are getting the nourishment their developing nervous systems need. Mother Nature has them in her grounded, regulated embrace, whispering to their hearts' "Rest child, I'll hold you for as long as you need." I hope you are getting the rest you need in this season of the big fire, little light. ~ Nicolette

WINTER UPDATE ALERT!! Latest KFNS Community Connect email just went out check your email! Subscribe here: bit.ly/kfnsinfo... Read the email here: https://conta.cc/39bKLiB

From Little Pine Learners "If there is ever a time of year that you should be stocked with beautiful and engaging picture books, it’s definitely winter! We love snuggling on the couch and reading stacks of books on chilly winter days. It’s a great way to learn about different winter topics and spend time together as a family See books about snow, hibernation, winter animals, and other winter topics here: https://littlepinelearners.com/40-winter-picture-books-for/"

Winter gear guide from Play Outside Guide https://www.playoutsideguide.com//keeping-kids-warm-in-wi/

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY!!

Our family is taking on the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge in 2021! Also the sunlight before noon challenge! Will you join us?

Outdoor Advent Calendar from Educate Outside "The festive season is almost here! Bring the outdoors to Advent with this free outdoor activity Advent Calendar. Each day of Advent has a fun and easy outdoor activity to complete. This calendar can be used in class, at home, or as part of a club or group. It's great fun and your children are sure to love exploring the outdoors each day.... Download it for free here: https://www.educateoutside.com/res/outdoor-advent-calendar/"

Just a reminder as we get closer to the holidays. Wilder Child

For a long time I wished for a nature based life planner that went beyond the typical linear goal setting Gregorian Calendar fare. I wanted something that honor...ed the transformations and potency of each season, something that could not only keep me on track with my goals, but keep me in sync with the natural world. Over many years of developing my own systems, I have assembled some of my favorite techniques, mapping exercises, and practices into this life planner for wild and unruly folk. Hand-drawn illustrations, 52 pages. Hope this is an enjoyable and useful tool for the coming year. Follow link in bio. #arcoftheyear #lifeplanner #nature #reboot #newyears #lastminutegiftidea #solstice #visionboard #donewith2020 #renew #revision #naturebased #planner #solaryear #welcome2021 #inspiration #goalsetting #newyearsresolutions #healing #resolutions #resolutionrevolution #moonchart #newmoon #fullmoon #rewilding #wildschooling #2021

Colibri wet bags are great for bringing home wet mittens, balaclavas, etc. Buy one now and $5 is donated to Kingston Forest & Nature School! We are fundraising with Colibri again! Our fundraiser with Colibri ends on Monday November 23rd so please make sure to place your order before then.... A few important details... The Colibri fundraising website is different than the regular Colibri retail website. Please visit www.colibrifundraising.com to place your order. You will see our school name when you check out. Please make sure you fill in all the required info to make sure your order comes to the school labeled and ready to enjoy! *Pick up at KFNS or at Monica's home in Kingston can be arranged How much does the school make? Small Snack Bag - $4 Large/Wide Snack Bag - $4.50 Snack Bag Set - $13 Regular Wet Bag - $5 Reusable Face Mask - $3 Mini Double Duty -$4 Reusable Straws - $4.50 Thank you for supporting Kingston Forest & Nature School!

Another fun activity from Educate Outside: "Check out another of our new Christmas themed outdoor activities. This time it's all about instructions and bossy verbs with this fun Christmas Treasure Hunt! A great lesson to do before the holidays! Download the resource pack here: https://www.educateoutside.com//christmas-treasure-map-in/"... Great for educators & parents alike! *note, while Educate Outside offers FREE resources, this one requires a paid membership to access.

"A video of the children was taken each day. On the first day, the children appeared confused and bored as they peered apprehensively around their big empty classroom. But, by the second day, the kids were playing with chairs and blankets, making dens by draping blankets over tables and weighing them down with shoes." Thanks for sharing, Wilder Child

ECO FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS! REUSABLE SNACK BAGS! WET BAGS FOR ADVENTURES & MESSES! We are fundraising with Colibri again! Our fundraiser with Colibri ends on Monday November 23rd so please make sure to place your order before then.... A few important details... The Colibri fundraising website is different than the regular Colibri retail website. Please visit www.colibrifundraising.com to place your order. You will see our school name when you check out. Please make sure you fill in all the required info to make sure your order comes to the school labeled and ready to enjoy! *Pick up at KFNS or at Monica's home in Kingston can be arranged :) How much does the school make? Small Snack Bag - $4 Large/Wide Snack Bag - $4.50 Snack Bag Set - $13 Regular Wet Bag - $5 Reusable Face Mask - $3 Mini Double Duty -$4 Reusable Straws - $4.50 Thank you for supporting Kingston Forest & Nature School!

Join us for one of our FREE Bird Box Building Workshops! 4 great locations to choose from: November 28th ... Mallorytown Library, Mallorytown November 29th Mac Johnson Wildlife Area, Brockville December 5th Lansdowne Community Centre, Lansdowne December 6th Elgin Community Centre, Elgin Workshops will begin at 9:30am and 11:00am and will run for 1 hour each. Registration is required and space is limited. To register, email our Program Manager at [email protected]. These workshops are perfect for Youth between 8 to 17 years old. Adult accompaniment is required. COVID 19 policies will be in place, to ensure the safety of our staff and participants. A special thank you to the Leeds Grenville Stewardship Council for donating all of the boxes.

Over winter break and beyond, outdoor playtime is always in style! There’s no need to stay cooped up inside all day. Here are some great tips from Active for Life.

We are fundraising with Colibri again! Welcome to Day 1 of our Colibri fundraiser. Our fundraiser with Colibri ends on Monday November 23rd so please make sure to place your order before then. A few important details...... The Colibri fundraising website is different than the regular Colibri retail website. Please visit www.colibrifundraising.com to place your order. You will see our school name when you check out. Please make sure you fill in all the required info to make sure your order comes to the school labeled and ready to enjoy! *Pick up at KFNS or at Monica's home in Kingston can be arranged :) How much does the school make? Small Snack Bag - $4 Large/Wide Snack Bag - $4.50 Snack Bag Set - $13 Regular Wet Bag - $5 Reusable Face Mask - $3 Mini Double Duty -$4 Reusable Straws - $4.50 Thank you for supporting Kingston Forest & Nature School!

Stewardship can sometimes imply a hierarchical relationship with the earth ie. acting on the earth instead of with the earth. Rather than focus on being a stewa...rd of the land, we aim to support a relationship with the land...breathing with the world in a respectful reciprocal relationship. Offering seeds to the birds and other forest friends is a fun way we encourage reciprocity each day. We thank them for inviting us into their backyard to play and we offer them a gift of gratitude. We thank the trees for giving the birds a place to rest and watch us play. We thank the logs and rocks for holding our seeds so that our friends can find them when they are hungry. Here is another fun way to feed the birds at your home. Send us a photo!

This year has been challenging but one thing is true: COVID-19 didn’t shut down play. As we get ready to ring in the new year, we want to ask you: What were yo...ur favourite play moments of 2020? Share your photos and stories with us, and we’ll highlight them throughout the week. Use #FavouritePlayMoment2020 and/or comment down below.

We have 1 spot left in our Seedlings program on Fridays for the Winter! January 4-March 26. Come join us for bonfires, sledding, forest kitchen tea parties & more! Check bit.ly/kfnswinter2021 for more info and put your name on our waitlist at bit.ly/kfnswaitlist

Secret paper snowflake instructions you didn't know you needed until right now!

An amazing opportunity to learn what it was like to hike the tundra! https://www.exploringbytheseat.com//hiking-tundra-explori/

GET OUTSIDE THIS WINTER! From Nature Natalie "Schools are operating #OutdoorClassrooms more than ever before this #winter, and the prospect of teaching in cold, possibly wet weather can feel daunting to even the most seasoned professionals. We’ve gathered some resources from a variety of sources and experts in the field to inspire, motivate, and encourage you to stay outside over the next few months and beyond.... Read more: https://naturenatalie.com//outdoor-education-winter-resou/ Featuring: North American Association for Environmental Education - NAAEE Outdoor Families Magazine INSIDE OUTSIDE Magazine Free Forest School Run Wild My Child Project Learning Tree Childhood by Nature Rain or Shine Mamma The New York Times Got more resources? Let us know in the comments!"

We are contacting folks on the waitlist to fill a total of 7 Seedlings spots (2 on Mondays and 5 on Fridays). Check your spam/junk folder so that you don't miss our emails, and add your name to the waitlist* if you're interested! *Read the update on our homepage for more info: http://kingstonforestandnatureschool.ca/

Give the gift of time in nature! http://naturewithkidspodcast.com/gifts/

SHOP & SUPPORT with Warmth and Weather https://warmthandweather.ca/?ref=kfns ANNOUNCING THIS NEW PARTNERSHIP!... We receive a 10% commission on ALL orders, and during special promotion weeks (TBD) we will receive 15% commission and you will receive free shipping. Commissions will be used to subsidize programs or provide quality outdoor gear for those in need in our community as part of our Forest School for All Accessibility Fund.

Happy 1st Yurtday! Thanks to everyone who helped bring this to life! https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=583932665697478&id=451875608903185

Check out this fun advent calendar from 1000 Hours Outside! Get it here: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com//free-outdoor-advent-cale Thanks Backwoods Mama

Thriving outside but having trouble keeping hands and feet warm? Check out Aurora Heat Natural and Reusable Warmers crafted by Indigenous artisans in Northern C...anada! Their products work wonders at keeping adults and little ones toasty warm. Made with sheared beaver fur harvested by Northern Indigenous peoples, their offerings also help keep cultural heritage alive. Their first ever Black Friday Sale begins with 20% off all warmers. Purchases $75+ also receive a free gift to keep your thumbs warm. Visit auroraheat.ca to learn more!

SHOP & SUPPORT! Head to oliverslabels.com/kfns and 20% of what you spend comes back to KFNS!

We LOVE Polarn O. Pyret USA!! They make the best durable rain gear (including rain mittens!!), have a ton of wool base layer options, are sized to last, and keep outdoor schools in mind! Jump in on our local group buy event and save on shipping (ends Monday, Nov. 30): https://forms.gle/j8RQNcMmudLqm5wg9 https://youtu.be/C4EAs3ydJHo

Polarn O. Pyret USA GROUP ORDER Website: https://www.polarnopyretusa.com/ Fill out this form by November 30th to be included: https://forms.gle/9Vtkzrnyfn53dVy8A... For local to Kingston folks.

BRING ON THE SNOW! Our Jan & Jul group order has arrived AND WE RAISED $360 TO HELP SUBSIDIZE PROGRAMS! Thank you to everyone who ordered! If you're a KFNS family, your order will be at forest school as of tomorrow morning (unless you reach out and arrange pick up before I get them there). If you're not a KFNS family, I'll be reaching out via email in the next 24 hours to arrange pick up.

GROUP BUY EVENT Nov. 2-11 Shop at Jan & Jul (janandjul.com) using the code "kingstonfns2020" and receive 10% off, give 20% back to KFNS and pay no shipping. We love their fleece lined mittens, fleece lined rain gear, sun hats and more! ... We are really excited about this opportunity and being able to share it with our community. Please note: all orders will be labelled and shipped together to Monica's address in Kingston as of November 12th (arriving on or around November 19th). You can pick up your order at KFNS or at Monica's address in the Polson Park area. *for the bigger kids, let me know if you'd be interested in a group buy event with Polarn O. Pyret USA (we have 4 interested families so far).

Ticks are awake and HUNGRY! Don't forget that they can be active every time it gets above 4 all winter long.

We are thankful for YOU! We know you aren’t exactly something found in nature, but we made this journal so we can break the rules This Thankful for Nature Jou...rnal is for you. It’s been a tough year and we hope it brings some silver linings to light and inspires you to find some joy in the open trails, crisp morning air, sunshine, puddle jumps, the extra hour of fun today, the first snowwhatever it is in nature that makes you and your family smile. Print it out, get outside and write or draw away with your kids. There’s so much to be thankful for https://mailchi.mp/hikeitbaby/thankful-for-nature-journal-2 And a big thank you to Joules USA and Natrapel at Adventure Ready Brands for supporting this project!

Another great layering guide as we head into colder & wetter weather.

Step up your winter comfort with LAYERS! https://www.mamanonthetrail.com//infant-toddler-adult-win/

An important message in this rainy season, and as we edge closer to winter. Wilder Child

Today is Orange Shirt Day

Wear orange tomorrow and know why! Wanted to share this caption from Maman Loup's Den by Lindsay Gallimore as well: "I’ve seen a lot of parents scrambling to buy an orange shirt for Orange Shirt Day - Every Child Matters at school on Wednesday. ... If your child doesn’t have an orange shirt, don’t stress about finding one! The $10 you drop on an orange shirt at Walmart or Michaels isn’t going to help bring awareness to Canada’s recent history of residential schools nor support to Canada’s indigenous youth. Spend the $10 on a cause that supports indigenous youth in your area and your child can wear an orange ribbon or accessory instead! Most importantly, talk as a family about WHY Canadian students are asked to wear orange on September 30th. This summer I read The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad and I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer to my kids. You can donate directly to the Orange Shirt Day organization: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/donations.html They also have a t-shirt and pin for sale that you could purchase for next year."

FILLED We have 1 Seedlings spot open on Fridays starting next week until December 11. Please email [email protected] if you're interested and be prepared to act quickly.

N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 9 ACORNS & OAKS highlights (Part 2/2)... Our Acorns & Oaks program is a chance for 2-5 year olds and their parents/caregivers to play, learn & grow in nature TOGETHER. Here are some highlights from last November... 1 A woodland rock show 2 The first big snowfall! 3 A snowy boat ride 4 Healthy risk-taking (months in the making for this kiddo) 5 Pure joy in the snow 6 Pure joy in the hammock 7 Sharing a mini beast discovery with friends There's so much more happening in and around each of these snapshots that cannot quite be captured in words. Parallel play evolving into collaborative play, adaptation, the time spent watching others & building courage, the benefits of sharing forest school with siblings, the challenges of sharing treasures with friends. #kingstonforestandnatureschool #kfns #kfnsacornsandoaks #childledlearning #natureplay #childrenatnatureplay #forestschool #natureschool #forestandnatureschool #ygklove #ygkkids #ygkfamily #ygk #kingston_on #kingstonontario

N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 9 ACORNS & OAKS highlights (Part 1/2)... Our Acorns & Oaks program is a chance for 2-5 year olds and their parents/caregivers to play, learn & grow in nature TOGETHER. Here are some highlights just from our fire pit building adventure last November... 1 An early morning trek to a pile of rocks 2 Scat! 3 Planning & digging 4 Digging & discovering 5 Taking turns stamping down the dirt 6 Laying some rocks (we left the rest of the heavy lifting to the bigger kids the following week!) 7 Lighting the inaugural fire! There's so much more happening in and around each of these snapshots that cannot quite be captured in words. While this "project" was a little less child-inspired, they were full on involved, engaged, giving input, problem solving, working together, and having so much fun! #kingstonforestandnatureschool #kfns #kfnsacornsandoaks #childledlearning #natureplay #childrenatnatureplay #forestschool #natureschool #forestandnatureschool #ygklove #ygkkids #ygkfamily #ygk #kingston_on #kingstonontario

New story walks from Frontenac Arch Biosphere!

Reopening a forest school during COVID-19 the webinar. From Child and Nature Alliance of Canada "Hi everyone - thank you for participating in our webinar and making it a great success! As promised, here's a recording of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB1baE69VuE ... (Please note: A French translation of the webinar is on its way!) We also put together PDF packages containing key points from the discussion and sample informed consent documents and risk management policies for your reference. English: https://drive.google.com//13Mz-ZIFIgbUwt1dQK4j39ZiMI/view French: https://drive.google.com//1L1LEF_Xylfbzi5maJmeEZpQrM/view"

Great new resource platform launching with a screening this weekend! Can you make it? #takethemoutside #learnoutside #playoutside Child and Nature Alliance of Canada

What's in your nature exploration kit? The Little Oak Learning

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9 SEEDLINGS highlights Our Seedlings program is a chance for 4-12 (then 4-10) year olds to play, learn & grow in nature on their own terms with mixed-age peers. Here are some highlights from last October...... 1 Looking for bugs & frogs under the leaf litter. 2 Experimenting with a new forest kitchen tool. 3 A new worm friend. 4 Collecting & learning about all the seeds. 5 Listening to (& talking through) our climbing tree. 6 The exploratory play that led to a 3-week long exploration into nature paints & dyes. 7 Setting up the dye creation station. 8 Dying fabrics with the various natural dyes created the week before. 9 Watching a new snake friend. Collaborating on a blanket fort in the woods. There's so much more happening in and around each of these snapshots that cannot quite be captured in words. The child-driven & inquiry-based learning, the practice of care & empathy, the exploration of sound & colour, the transfer of skills & knowledge, the learning via trial & error, the social-emotional skills building. #kingstonforestandnatureschool #kfns #kfnsseedlings #childledlearning #natureplay #childrenatnatureplay #forestschool #natureschool #forestandnatureschool #ygklove #ygkkids #ygkfamily #ygk #kingston_on #kingstonontario @ Kingston Forest & Nature School

You don't have to wander far... 1000 Hours Outside

No excuses. Get outside! Thanks Wilder Child

Did you know there were so many? BBC Wildlife Magazine

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9 ACORNS & OAKS highlights Our Acorns & Oaks program is a chance for 2-5 year olds and their parents/caregivers to play, learn & grow in nature TOGETHER. Here are some highlights from last October...... 1 when a bend in a tree became a boat for four 2 looking for leaves in every colour of the rainbow 3 co-creating a leaf rainbow 4 fort-building & hammock swinging 5 the first bone we ever found 6 examining some mushrooms on an old stump 7 a new worm friend 8 a new stink bug friend 9 discovering what lives under a log celebrating all that is fall There's so much more happening in and around each of these snapshots that cannot quite be captured in words. The collaborative play, the negotiation that comes with collaborative play, the curiosity, the intrinsic motivation to learn, the joy in sharing discoveries, the engineering & creativity, the perseverance. Thanks to Laura Byrne for visiting & taking several of these photos for us. #kingstonforestandnatureschool #kfns #kfnsacornsandoaks #childledlearning #natureplay #childrenatnatureplay #forestschool #natureschool #forestandnatureschool #ygklove #ygkkids #ygkfamily #ygk #kingston_on #kingstonontario @ Kingston Forest & Nature School

"Spending time barefoot can be critical for developing quality movement in children, adolescents and adults, alike. But childhood is the richest opportunity for the rewards that come with going barefoot, and the time when restricting the feet in bulky sneakers makes the least sense. The more time kids spend barefoot, even if it means their feet get dirty, the more they will reap the benefits of neural efficiency and foot strength. It may start with something as simple as a "N...o Shoes in the House" Rule, and then spending time in the yard playing without shoes. As the foot strengthens and callouses, it will be able to handle more sensation and be less susceptible to cuts and scrapes that many fear when going barefoot. For children, spending time barefoot will only benefit them in the long run." https://www.stack.com/a/let-them-be-barefoot-the-importance

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 9 SEEDLINGS highlights Our Seedlings program is a chance for 4-12 (then 4-10) year olds to play, learn & grow in nature on their own terms with mixed-age peers. Here are some highlights from last September...... 1 our oldest & youngest participants getting up close & personal with a rock 2 reading in a hammock 3 collaborating on a stick fort 4 building a drum kit with loose parts 5 exploring the climbing tree 6 testing out a handmade kite 7 discovering interesting rocks 8 trying to catch a frog 9 theorizing how a pile of feathers came to be on the path playing with the wind There's so much more happening in and around each of these snapshots that cannot quite be captured in words. The collaboration & teamwork, the development of conflict resolution & problem-solving skills, the interest & curiosity driven learning, the freedom to play, learn & grow at their own pace. #kingstonforestandnatureschool #kfns #kfnsseedlings #childledlearning #natureplay #childrenatnatureplay #forestschool #natureschool #forestandnatureschool #ygklove #ygkkids #ygkfamily #ygk #kingston_on #kingstonontario @ Kingston Forest & Nature School

If you missed today's webinar and you are looking for advice re-opening your forest & nature programs during COVID-19, stay tuned for the recording & accompanying document! They will be posted to the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada's website :)

Be more like a plant / flower. Thanks Little Pine Learners, Nature as Teacher, Cleo Wade

a HUGE thank you to everyone who shared or participated in the extremely successful "bookraiser" 2 weeks ago. These books are coming to live in our yurt! Lisa's Back to School Bookraiser

If you're looking for advice reopening your forest & nature school programs during COVID-19 jump in on this FREE webinar tomorrow! Child and Nature Alliance of Canada

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 9 ACORNS & OAKS highlights Our Acorns & Oaks program is a chance for 2-5 year olds and their parents/caregivers to play, learn & grow in nature TOGETHER. Here are some highlights from last September...... 1 storytime in the clearing 2 driving flashlights on a branch 3 climbing over & dancing around boulders 4 storytime in a hammock 5 forging friendships in a quiet moment 6 catching a leopard frog 7 leaping off a giant rock 8 finding a giant puffball mushroom 9 closely inspecting a rotting log time for adult socialization There's so much more happening in and around each of these snapshots that cannot quite be captured in words. The deep immersive play, the emergent child-led learning, the social, emotional and physical growth. #kingstonforestandnatureschool #kfns #kfnsacornsandoaks #childledlearning #natureplay #childrenatnatureplay #forestschool #natureschool #forestandnatureschool #ygklove #ygkkids #ygkfamily #ygk #kingston_on #kingstonontario @ Kingston Forest & Nature School

Forest School for All Accessibility Fund Call for Contributions Help us grow our Forest School for All Accessibility Fund to increase access to our programs for all children. The outdoors should be for everyone! Kingston Forest & Nature School is currently accepting financial contributions to support 18+ full and partial scholarships for the Fall & Winter 2020 sessions. These scholarships are in place to dissolve the barriers between kids and natural places. We offer ou...r gratitude for your investment in a more just and caring world. One of the primary goals of Kingston Forest & Nature School is to make our programs accessible to a wide range of participants regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language, physical ability, social behaviours or socioeconomic status. We strive to dissolve the barriers between kids and nature by making our community safe and welcoming, choosing sites and structures that are physically accessible for everyone, and building our Forest School for All Accessibility Fund that will allow us to set registration fees on a sliding scale based on need, to offer partial & full scholarships to BIPOC, gender diverse and LGBTQ+ children, and to establish a lending library and subsidization program for quality outerwear and gear (snow pants, rain gear, hats, mitts, backpacks, water bottles, etc.). We welcome your donations, feedback and suggestions in the realization of these goals. This Fall & Winter, we have set ourselves the lofty goal of being able to offer full scholarships to up to 25% of our participants. If we can collect $10,500* in contributions to our Forest School for All Accessibility Fund, then we can offer barrier-free access to 12 Seedlings (children aged 4-12) and 6 Acorns (children aged 2-5). PLEASE CONTRIBUTE via PayPal (bit.ly/kfnspaypal) or e-transfer to [email protected]. THANK YOU! We are working on developing an application process for families requesting support, however, in the meantime, if you are interested in a partial or full scholarship for your kid(s), please add your name to our program waitlist (bit.ly/kfnswaitlist) and reach out to Monica at [email protected]. Requests will be approved on a case-by-case basis, based on availability of funds, with an emphasis on supporting local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ families, followed by other families facing unique barriers to nature access or participation in enriching programs like those offered by KFNS. *In the event that we don’t reach our goal, or that we don’t have that many families requesting full scholarships this session, the funds will be used to subsidize our programs with a sliding scale registration fee for families in need, to offer partial scholarships, and to build our capacity to make our programming more accessible in the future. See more

Some of the many reasons we love hammocks at KFNS! Thanks Youth Mental Health Canada & Neurochild Community

The countdown is on... 3 weeks until we start our 2nd year of forest & nature school! So let's take some time to highlight our favourite moments from our 1st year together at Kingston Forest & Nature School! Stay tuned as we work our way month-by-month from September 2019 to August 2020... you'll get to experience the highs & the lows, through fair & foul weather, with all of our friends from our Seedlings and Acorns & Oaks programs.... #kingstonforestandnatureschool #kfns #kfnsacornsandoaks #kfnsseedlings #forestandnatureschool #forestschool #ygklove #ygkkids #ygkfamily #kingston_on #kingstonontario #childrenatnatureplay #getthekidsoutside #getoutside #natureplay @ Kingston Forest & Nature School

It is hard, but so worth it for everyone involved! Thanks Backwoods Mama & Wildschooling