Welcome to Applegrove Nature School, where childhood meets the great outdoors!

At Applegrove, we're more than just a program; we're stewards of wonder, nurturing a profound connection between children and the natural world.

Our motto, 'Play, Create, and Take Risks,' perfectly encapsulates our ethos. We believe in the transformative power of play to ignite imagination, foster creativity, and fuel curiosity. Here, we encourage our young learners to embrace exploration, experimentation, and boundary-pushing, empowering them to take calculated risks as they navigate and discover the wonders of the world around them.

But it doesn't stop there. Our students not only immerse themselves in play but also engage in the creative process, crafting art from nature's abundant palette, constructing structures using loose parts, and weaving stories inspired by the wilderness that surrounds them.

In addition to fostering creativity, we embrace bush craft as a vital component of our curriculum. Through bush craft, children learn essential outdoor skills, from fire-building and shelter construction to tool use and plant identification. These hands-on experiences not only connect children with nature but also instill a sense of self-reliance, resilience, and problem-solving

Guided by seven core relationships—Play, Risk, Trust, Power, Land, Story, and Learning—we shape our ethos and practice. At Applegrove, led by a certified teacher and forest and nature school practitioner, we place a premium on holistic child development, rooted in place-based learning. We firmly believe that every child deserves the space and time to thrive amidst the beauty of the great outdoors.

Join us in nurturing a generation of self-confident, resilient, and compassionate problem-solvers who not only cherish but actively safeguard our natural world.

Welcome to Applegrove Nature School, where the boundaries of learning dissolve, and nature emerges as our greatest teacher.

Learn More

About Us

What is Nature School?

Nature School is an educational ethos and practice that puts the land and the child-at-play at the centre of every activity. Children build a relationship with the land by using the same outdoor space over extended periods of time and throughout all 4 seasons. Children are given space and time to explore and be inspired by their surroundings, and educators support the children through an emergent curriculum, which is driven by a process of inquiry. Nature School views risky play as an integral part of children’s learning and healthy development. (Adapted from the Child & Nature Alliance of Canada and Forest School Canada).

Our Core Values

According to the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada nature schools need to maintain 7 relationships in order for them to be ethical, authentic and meaningful.

These 7 relationships are:

Play, Risk, Trust, Power, Land, Story & Learning

At Applegrove Nature School, our core values align

with these 7 principles:

· Trust & Respect

· Emergent Learning

· Whole-Child Development

· Place-based Learning

children dressed up and swinging in a hammock

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide space and time for children to learn with and from nature using emergent curriculum, and to support them as they seek new learning opportunities and challenges.

children balancing on a homemade teeter totter in the forest

Our Vision

Our vision is that all children develop a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world, and that they become self-confident, resilient, and caring problem-solvers.

children building a den structure from natural materials

Who Are We

Our passionate team of educators are certified teachers in British Columbia and Alberta with over 20 years of teaching experience between them. One has Wilderness and Standard First Aid. The other is a Forest and Nature School Practitioner certified through the Child and Nature Alliance Canada.

Testimonials

Here's what families are saying about our program:

"I liked carving with knives and building forts. I also liked printing on the medicine bag. I also liked having free time and playing with my friends." - Liam (9)

"Forest Schools have been a great resource, as a single mom who unschools, my son has attended many over the past 4 years. Daniela's forest school offers the opportunity of creative play, child-led learning, emotional regulation, team building, and many other chances to learn in ways children are not given in a classroom setting. My son's favourite day, so far, was learning how to read a map and compass. Thanks Daniela." - Holly (mom)

"Nature school has been an incredible experience for my son! I am always looking for inclusive activities for my kids and if they’re outdoors then I think that’s even better. There is so much research on how beneficial it is for kids to spend time outdoors and this is what drew me to this program initially. Daniela is inclusive, organized, professional and knowledgeable. She really understands kids and is able to connect with them and engage them in purposeful outdoor activities. My son learned so many skills such as shelter building, knife skills, plant identification, cooperating with others and bushcraft skills. He loved creating his own items in nature! This program allows for creativity and teamwork. It’s a great break for me as a mom too, knowing they’re in good hands! I highly recommend this nature school program. It provides a regularly scheduled activity that allows for freedom and creativity for the kids (as well as physical activity) and adds a nice balance for kids who play team sports or parents who are looking for non- competitive activities for their kids to participate in. Learning about the local area is so important too!" - Stephanie (mom of 2)

"My son and I had the opportunity to attend various sessions at Applegrove Nature School. It was a very a positive experience for us both. I was able to observe my son in a beautiful outdoor environment, where he would discover, explore, create and play either independently, with other children, or with myself. I plan on continuing to incorporate this type of learning and environment into his childhood for years to come. Thank you for such a wonderful experience, we look forward to attending again." - Kristine (mom of 2)

"Our experience with Applegrove Nature School has been nothing short of magical. The camps have given my kids the freedom to explore, create, and connect with nature in ways that feel so essential. The nurturing environment at Applegrove truly honors their natural curiosity and creativity, equipping them with valuable skills they’ll carry forward. We couldn’t be more grateful for this wonderful community!" - Chantelle (mom of 3)

"I love that we get to build things like forts and log houses and other crafts. I like playing with other kids. My favourite parts were dressing up as a knight, making pretend pizzas and building bows and arrows." - William (5)