ABOUT
The Forest Path aims to create full-body experiences of feeling alive and connected, to the wild, to within, with each other. We offer outdoor education programs and camps in Nelson BC Canada for children to get outside, learn nature skills and be mentored to grow wholesomely.
Malin Christensson started The Forest Path inspired by her friends Clelie Chevrier and Garliq Chevrier who introduced her to the coyote mentoring way. The first event offered was Nature spring break camp in 2017, in Nelson BC, on the unceded homeland, xaʔxáʔ tumxʷulaʔxʷ, of the Sinixt people.
Here is a short video from a day in the forest.
OUR INSPIRATION
We are inspired by nature and the wonder and happiness and aliveness we experience when being outdoors. We are influenced by other wild kids camps and groups, like the 8 shields and Art of Mentoring of Jon Young, Wisdom of the Earth at Saltspring Island and the forest kindergartens in Canada (for example in Victoria and Vancouver) as well where they originated in the 1950s in Sweden and 1960s in Germany. There are now over 1000 forest kindergartens in Germany. We are also drawing on wisdom of Awaken the Dreamer, deep ecology and Joanna Macy, of mindfulness, First Nations knowledge, Bill Plotkin’s work, permaculture, neuroscience.
Our ambition is to nurture deeper relations between parents, children and our surroundings.
What do the kids do?
The Forest Path connects kids to our beautiful natural playground – to our birthright of smell, taste, touch and listening to the living land around us. Every program balances free nature play and facilitated games, art and crafts, adjusted to the age and interests of the kids. We playfully add mindfulness, yoga/animal forms, storytelling and music to the day. The children learn to watch for hazards. They are introduced to naturalist and survival skills.
When we deepen our nature skills, we will also deepen our community skills and our relationship with our own self. We see Nature as the best teacher that models values such as belonging, quiet mind, generosity, resilience, gratitude and vitality. The Forest Path mentors create safe attachments by co-regulation, sharing circles, and empathetic listening. We role-model kind and just relationships, decolonization and allyship.
TESTIMONIALS
The forest class with Eric and Tanin is, literally, my son’s favourite activity ever.
This is our family’s favourite camp. It is a wonderful way for the kids to be outside, learn about nature, and participate in amazing environmental education activities. Malin and her team are thoughtful, inclusive, creative, and dynamic in their approach to Forest Camp. My kids have been going for years and I highly recommend it!
I am very happy with the forest program. I must say my daughters come home happy (and tired) but they love the play outside and I see a very positive relationship between them on the day the come home from forest school together
Thanks again!!! My girl LOVES your program.
We absolutely LOVE and are always inspired by all that you do Malin and our kid has thrived and LOVED Forest Path tremendously, we will definitely be back again.
He loved it so much last year and every time we go for a walk through the woods we still play forest school and he is the teacher. So nourishing for him.
My daughter was on a high today from her time in the forest with you. She had more energy through to bedtime and was so so happy. Singing songs until she fell asleep.
She came home and immediately hung her star on a garlic plant in the front yard.
Thanks for what you do, it’s truly wonderful what you are providing for these kids. We love it !
This was our first experience with Forest Path and my daughter is asking when can she go back!! I think that says it all really! As a parent I was really appreciative of the guidance and care that was shown to our children!
What a great program. This is exactly the kind of thing we need more of – children outside, learning and loving nature and each other. Thank you, Malin!
Spring break forest camp was such a positive experience for my child. She returned home from camp excited to tell stories about what she’d done during the day, and even after the camp finished, she has been more motivated than ever to spend time outdoors. Thank you – see you again at summer camp!
Malin is a natural with kids and in nature! We’ve been part of her younger weekly group and it was the highlight of my 3 year olds week. These camps will make lasting impressions with your child guaranteed!
Thank you for offering this amazing opportunity for our children. We have been so blessed to have your thoughtful, calm, interested and valuable approach to connecting our kids to nature!
It’s been an amazingly rich and rewarding journey with you for both of our kids on the Forest Path. We really want you to know how much we appreciate you and your nature-based guidance. Thank you for everything!
My son ( age 14) is really enjoying this group. We’re feeling so grateful for the opportunity.
Thanks Malin for the photos and the fantastic sessions you gave the kids as usual. A always loves going to forest school and speaks highly of it. I’m so very impressed when I walk with her in the woods and she teaches me all the things she’s learned that I don’t know personally myself.
I do think your program is magical.
The girls have been singing about orange butterflies and dragonflies non-stop and I have heard about nothing other than ‘butterfly camp’. It meant the world to both girls to be there and join in. Thank you for everything you made happen for our girls. We attribute much of W’s comfort and leadership in the woods to your program and it made a big difference to our family.
Just wanted to send a note to say thank you. The kids both had such a wonderful time at forest camp. They came home invigorated and energized and happy everyday. Such a wonderful program that you run. We are lucky to have you in the community.
Our son and daughter love their time at your camps. What a to great opportunity for them.
Malin is so present with the children, creative and inspirational!
H. is enjoying forest school so much. I’m so glad he got this experience, it has been priceless for him. Thank you so much your program is perfect.
The Elves and Wizards camp was the absolute highlight of my child’s summer. The opportunity to gather with others who share an interest in role-playing, explore story and form new friendships in a supportive, inclusive environment was such a gift. Malin clearly put so much thought into organizing the camp, resulting in days that were filled with fun, interesting activities, and a balance of active and quiet time. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience – my child is looking forward to more LARPing days in the autumn!
