Ages 2–12 · caregiver stays
Weekday mornings of child-led, all-weather play in the woods of Pouch Camp for children ages 2–12 and the grown-ups who love them. Siblings come together, and so do parents and grandparents.
Family Forest School is our core program: a long-term, child-led forest school where children ages 2–12 return to the same patch of Greenbelt woods week after week, with their grown-up beside them. Many of our weekday families homeschool, and some children have been coming for five years or more.
There is no screen, no worksheet and no rush. Children decide what to explore, and our facilitators make room for them to try hard things safely: climbing the creek bed, sawing a branch, building a shelter that might take weeks to finish.
Parents and caregivers are invited to participate, take authentic action photos and even join a simple hands-on project. Families also help steward a small section of the woods, so the forest stays healthy for everyone.
Coming to forest school was just a calling. I saw a chance to let my kids experience nature in a REAL way where they get to decide what they want to explore. From the first time they both went we all fell in love with it!
Liz was really great about giving my kids the confidence to explore in class which meant a lot to my daughter who is on the reserved side. She went from not wanting to share during the gratitude circle her first time to helping to volunteer a toddler class last week. My son enjoyed the peace of the woods, animal tracking and most recently using a saw.
I can’t say enough good things about this program… it’s the mental break kids and adults are seeking and the program is run by people who truly care about the experience of the children which is becoming more rare to find. Thank you Way Back for giving our kids the space they need in this busy world!
Coming up
Weekday mornings · our regular schedule returns in January
Child-led play, a short nature skill or craft, and our closing gratitude circle. Come for the full semester, or book single sessions when there’s space.
For Family Forest School, yes: each child or sibling group comes with a parent or caregiver. Grown-ups are invited to join in, take photos and help with a simple hands-on project. The Modern Bushcrafters Club (ages 7–12) is drop-off, and younger siblings are welcome there when a caregiver stays.
We play outdoors year-round, so rain boots, snow gear and sunscreen all get their moment. We only pause a session when conditions become unsafe, such as high winds, storms or extreme temperatures. Weather calls are based on the “feels like” temperature, wind speed and overall safety. Please check your email before each session for updates.
Family Forest School has been $20 per session, with 50% off each additional child, and full-semester registration comes with an extra family discount. Current prices for every program are always shown in our family portal when you register. Need-based scholarships are available.
Many of our weekday-morning families homeschool, and forest school makes a wonderful homeschool enrichment. Children in traditional school join us through the after-school Modern Bushcrafters Club, mini semesters, open houses and school field trips.
Yes. Many sessions can be booked one at a time, and drop-ins are welcome when there’s space. Our free family open houses are another easy way to visit before you commit to a semester.
Closed-toe shoes or boots, clothes that can get muddy, and layers for the weather. Add rain gear or snow gear in season, and bug spray and sunscreen in warmer months. Bring water and a snack.