/ˈfɒrɪst skuːld/
1. guided, challenged, humbled, and befriended
by the features and forces of the natural world
2. inspired by a forest school ethos, including reflecting on
and adapting practice to respond to community needs over time
3. taught a lesson related to forest school (the hard way)
My name is Caylin and I started this blog in 2016 while working towards my Forest School qualification in the UK. At the time I was also working with children from a Primary Pupil Referral Unit. Then in 2017 I moved to the homeland of the Abenaki/Abénaquis, part of Wabanaki Confederacy (which is also known to many as New Hampshire, USA); and then moved again in 2019 to the homeland of the Algonquin Nation (which is also known to many as Ottawa, Canada). This blog is a collection of stories I've gathered along the way, and they demonstrate how my understanding of Forest School has adapted and changed with the places I've lived. I claim to be an "educator" but the reality is that whilst I'm busy "teaching" others, the children and the Land are just as busy teaching me. This blog is all about the lessons I'm learning in the process and how, in essence, I'm getting "Forest Schooled".
Note: All names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals mentioned in these stories.
Forest Schooled News:
Now Available: Forest Schooled, The book!
Okay, you know that feeling when you have an idea and then someday that idea becomes a reality? It's an amazing feeling and one I am so happy to share with you now! After years of writing Forest Schooled, my stories are now nestled within the pages of a brand new book alongside high quality full colour photographs I've lovingly taken over the years while out delivering programmes and exploring woodlands. I have rejoiced, cried, and stressed out while making this project come to life. It was a journey in and of itself to create a book about "my forest school journey." But hey, it wouldn't be Forest School if it didn't challenge, stretch, and transform us, right? After all that's the point of getting Forest Schooled... So I hope others will truly enjoy having these stories in print, to read, reflect, and continue to inspire each other to do this work. THANK YOU to all of you for your support in getting here. The book is now available for purchase through AMAZON.
Blog posts: Search by category or just browse the latest by scrolling down!
Within these categories you'll also find blog posts written by some special guests.
Want to find them straight away? Head to Guest Blogs
January 11, 2020
It's winter. A time of year in the northern hemisphere where days are short, vitamin D is lacking, I feel like hibernating, but modern life expects us to keep a summer's pace... a time where hope and self care are much needed friends. So I wrote this poem. Leave a comm...
December 1, 2019
This is special. This incredible guest blog was written by Landere Naisbitt who I've have had the honour of working closely with over the past few years. She is an amazing Forest School practitioner, an incredible writer, and all around inspiring human being. This piec...
November 3, 2019
Well, I’m dusting off the ol' Forest Schooled keyboard. It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog here. Life moves and sways, shifting where energy was once placed into other facets and callings. But I’ve missed it, missed writing, sharing, and connecting with all of...
September 1, 2019
Okay, you know that feeling when you have an idea and then someday that idea becomes a reality? It's an amazing feeling and one I am so happy to share with you now!
Three and a half years ago I started writing Forest Schooled. It was purely a space for me to share stor...
June 30, 2019
There was a nest. It was high up in one of the pine trees. We thought it was just the remnants left over from the previous year until a raven swooped by and landed in it just as we were walking by with our group of kindergarteners during our “Forest Morning.”
...
June 21, 2019
I've been branching out on blog writing and am sharing my stories on other pages in addition to Forest Schooled. Follow the link to the blog for the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada!
June 7, 2019
I've been branching out on blog writing and am sharing my stories on other pages in addition to Forest Schooled. Follow the link to the blog for the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada!
May 16, 2019
I've been branching out on blog writing and am sharing my stories on other pages in addition to Forest Schooled. Follow the link to the blog for the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada!
May 9, 2019
I've been branching out on blog writing and am sharing my stories on other pages in addition to Forest Schooled. Follow the link to find out if the forest is really magic on the blog for the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada!