F.O.R.E.S.T. Understory

School year series to build epic skills

Friends Outdoors Reviving Earth Skills Together, also known as FOREST, is Whole Earth Nature School’s teen nature mentorship program. FOREST is a student-driven initiative designed for kids who are dedicated to deepening their nature skills. The goal of FOREST is to build strong self-esteem, deepen student’s nature and survival skills, and nurture their leadership abilities. FOREST Undestory is…

  • Classes that fit into teens’ busy schedules
  • A different skill focus each month, scaffolded for growth
  • Focused projects that develop particular skill sets
  • Community connections with other nature-connected teens
  • Cool things to take home and keep working on and show friends and family

FOREST Understory

Grades: 6th-12th 
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.* (*Exact times TBA)
Dates: Weekend Dates TBA
Location: Wayne Morse Park
Cost: TBA for this 9 month program. Payment plans and scholarships available.

Check back for updated dates and tuition.

Register

Skills include: 

  • Woodcraft: Carving and Whittling
  • Shelter, Axes, and Saws
  • Fire Making
  • Wildlife Tracking
  • Navigation
  • Advanced Fire Skills
  • Wild Food, Medicine, and Water
  • Archery Bow Making
  • Natural Cordage
  • Arrow making
  • Leathercraft

Looking for our profound, FOREST flagship program, featuring weekly mentoring and epic monthly trips?

Learn more about the FOREST program

About the Mentors

Our carefully chosen mentors for FOREST are:

  • Veteran staff with years of experience
  • Trained in Wilderness First Aid
  • Practitioners of their specializations outside of Whole Earth
  • Diverse in their teaching practices, for diverse students
  • Passionate about helping young people transition to adulthood

The leaders of our FOREST program are the same instructors who train our new staff. Each mentor has a wide variety of outdoor skills that they practice as well as skills for working with people of all ages and abilities. 

Whether a student is interested in nature writing, fire by friction, leatherwork, fishing, shelter building, whittling, or wildcrafting, we have a mentor with something to teach. They are also unique individuals who can relate to students over the latest radio hits, Dungeons & Dragons, video games, photography, athletics, and more.

The Power of Community

The FOREST program nurtures true community where each member is known and valued for who they are. Our intention is to forge profound connections with peers, mentors, and the earth. We grow capable, confident leaders who work to expand their skills and push their personal comfort edges. These abilities and experiences will be a strong foundation for growth in all aspects of life. We build a community focused on the joys and challenges of engaging in authentic relationship with each other and with the land that sustains us. By building strong peer bonds in nature, FOREST students develop a support network to foster a lifetime of outdoor learning. FOREST is an amazing way to connect with the natural world in your very own community. We hope you join us!

“He absolutely LOVES Whole Earth and talks about it all the time. He really wants to continue to the path to counselor. He is having great adventures and learning so much.”
Ross
FOREST dad
“Some kids have church groups, others have scouts, and some have sports like a youth club. [My daughter] has her FOREST Friends. This has been such a fantastic experience for her to connect with others, learn skills, but mostly, it is her centering time in a week full of teenage issues. She loves her leader Soma, and really feels connected with the other kids.”
Renee
FOREST mom
"The FOREST program is awesome because you get to spend time with friends while working on fun skills. You get to know the other FOREST kids and it all becomes one community."
Olias
FOREST student