Our Summer Session is an extension of our nature immersion early childhood program that we hold throughout the school year, for children ages 3-8 years of age. 

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Inspired by European model, Waldkindergarten (all outside, all weather, early childhood programs), we have created an inclusive nature immersion early childhood program that provides children with the opportunity for adult supported uninterrupted and unstructured play time in nature. This closeness to the natural world and exposure to minimal risk supports a young child’s mental and physical health as well as problem solving skills, social-emotional learning, sensory, motor and cognitive development.

 

As a place-based program, children continually discover their “classroom” as the seasons and environments change throughout the year. 

 

Bend Forest school is modeled after the German based Waldkindergarten. Key principles of this model include:

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• All-outdoor, all-weather nature immersion

• Place-based education (permanent location)

• Play-based (children learn through play)

• Interest-led/child-driven learning

• Emergent Curriculum 

• Inquiry-based teaching 

• Small student to teacher ratio of 6:1

• Exposure to moderate risk