COVID 19 SAFETY PROTOCOL
Being outdoors seems to be a theme of advice for children and adults. As usual, our programs are all outdoors. If our program is cancelled for any reason including COVID19, you will get a 100% refund.
Read more about our protocol here.
CLOTHES & GEAR
The children must come with gear that is appropriate to the weather that day. Preferably clothes that can get dirty and handle wild play. We recommend wearing layers of clothing so children can make adjustments as needed according to changes in weather/micro climate and activity levels. Note that the temperature is usually cooler in the forest than down by the lake.
Summertime and warm days
- A long-sleeved shirt.
- Durable pants or shorts.
- A sun hat.
- Running or hiking shoes or beach shoes that can be used for running (note that children may still play in water and mud.) Footwear should be closed-toed (no open sandals).
- Sunscreen if your child’s skin needs it. Apply on your kid before the start of the program and bring more for the day.
- Bring a sweater and check the forecast to see if it might rain or be cold and adjust the clothes.
- Swim gear depending on the location.
When it is rainy:
- Inner layer of fleece (or polypropylene) or natural fabrics such as wool or silk but not cotton. The fabric should wick moisture away from the skin and provide a warm, breathable layer.
- Middle layer of insulation made of wool or fleece.
- Outer shell of waterproof, windproof clothing, including a rain jacket and rain pants.
- Rainboots and warm socks, preferably not cotton. Bring an empty bread bag (plastic bag) to use if boots get wet.
When it is cold, please add:
- Warm and waterproof gloves or mittens that slip on and off easily.
- Long underwear of fleece (or polypropylene) or natural fabrics such as wool or silk but not cotton.
- An extra pair of warm gloves or mitts.
- An extra pair of warm socks in ziplock or waterproof bag in your child’s bag.
- Waterproof insulated boots or otherwise waterproof boots that are one size too large with two pairs of socks (wool is excellent for socks). Please no cotton socks.
- Snowpants. Without should straps are easier to go pee with but the other style also protects from snow coming in.
- If your child tends to be more still and get cold hands or feet, you can buy hand and/or foot warmers in an outdoor equipment store. There are single use versions or reusable ones like Toasterz, SnapHeat, HotToGo or HotSnapz that heat instantly but doesn’t last long. By boiling them you can use them again. We will bring some too on very cold days.
CLOTHES STORES
In Nelson, the best quality kids gear can be found at Mountain Baby on Baker St (you can also buy online). Some great raingear can be bought at Play It Again Kids. We also recommend Abeko.
For online shopping, we have two stores with discounts.
Warmth and Weather gives a discount one week a year – stay tuned! They offer kids and adults quality wool clothes and rain gear.
Warmth and Weather gives a discount one week a year – stay tuned! They offer kids and adults quality wool clothes and rain gear.
The Forest Path will earn 10% commission if you make orders through this specific link:
https://warmthandweather.ca/?ref=4JcpdDANhnnCn
https://warmthandweather.ca/?ref=4JcpdDANhnnCn
The outdoor school shop has a wide selection of rain gear, snow gear and other forest school gear. Use this link and you will get a 15% discount on everything, use CODE at checkout: FORESTPATH https://outdoorschoolshop.com/schools/the-forest-path/
PLEASE BRING
A child-sized backpack – not too heavy – should contain:
- Water in a spill-proof bottle, preferably 1 litre for a full day, 1/2 litre is ok for winter. The facilitator will also carry drinking water. Camelback drinking systems often get dirty mouthpieces in the forest. We rinse them off but we cannot really clean them.
- Healthy, high-energy snack in reusable containers, amount adjusted to the length of camp, great with extra in case of spills.
- Optional: Extra change of clothing if your child is likely to need it.
For cold seasons:
- Consider bringing a thermos with warm soup or food.
- Extra socks and mittens in a zip-lock or waterproof bag.
- In the winter the kids don’t drink too much so you might not need a full bottle – depends on the kid. Warm water/tea/milk etc can be good.
The back-pack is important! It is so much easier for the child if it is child-sized. Chest buckle really helps too and waterproof is preferable in the winter (not just cotton). Please let your kid try the pack on and make sure it is not too heavy. Every kid is expected to carry their own backpack. Teachers sometimes carry their water bottles. Optional: A whistle, attached to the child’s jacket or backpack.
FAQ
Where do you meet?
We have several locations close to the Rail Trail and just outside Nelson. Details will be emailed to you.
What does a typical half-day look like?
| 9:00 am | Site Assessment, arrival, games |
| 9:15am | Welcome Circle with songs, check-in, sometimes yoga, safety check, seasonal themes |
| 9:30am | Snack & Story |
| 10:00 am | Walking through the forest |
| 10:45am | Activity & Free Play |
| 11:30am | Magic Sitspot: Mindfulness minutes. |
| 11:45am | Return to Meeting Area. Closing circle. |
| 12:00pm | Good bye! |
What activities might my child do?
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- Walking, jumping, running, climbing trees
- Nature crafts, painting and clay
- Fire Building & cooking
- Learn edible and medicinal uses of plants
- Find tracks and discover their stories
- Moving like animals and learning about our place
- Bird language
- Music & Rhythm
- Listening to and telling stories
- Building forts of sticks or snow and fairy houses
- Navigation, safaty and survival skills
- Yoga and mindfulness
- Games like tag, hiding, sensory games
What is a Forest School?
Forest schools can be found in many parts of the world and are gaining in popularity all over Canada. Some Forest Schools are outside 100%, others have an indoor option but aim to spend most time outdoors. Forest schools are typically child-centered, interest-led and place-based. The UK Forest School Association has 6 guiding principles. Children are provided with the opportunity to build an ongoing relationship to the land through regular visits to the same location. Educators present mini-lessons when children show interest in learning more about a topic. Using inquiry-based teaching styles, teachers prompt children to ask why and foster the development of the child’s own critical thinking skills. Children spend a large portion of program time engaged in valuable unstructured play.
What is child-led learning?
It’s about letting a child ‘go’, to do what they need to do in order to learn and to grow. When children are provided with a rich and stimulating learning environment their natural eagerness to understand takes charge. Children follow their own play patterns encoded in their body and developing brain, whether they are in their own world or playing with other children. During Forest School, it is the teacher’s job to watch and wait as they discover, invent and explore. The child may show an interest in music, collecting pinecones, building forts, imaginative play or finding bugs and the teachers will support them when required or requested.
How does playing outside help my child learn?
Creative outdoor play is a fantastic way for children to learn. The beauty of using natural objects in play is that children need to use verbal skills to communicate the meaning and purpose of an object to each other. A stick, for example, becomes a walkie-talkie, a magic wand, an animal, or a fishing pole in the development of a play scenario. Children spontaneously invent more creative plot lines in play where they are not surrounded by toys or materials with a predetermined use and meaning. In this way, outdoor play is conducive to the further development of imagination and creativity.
What ages are your programs for?
The parent and child program Frog & Tadpole is for kids between 0-6.
The Forest Kids programs are for kids between 3 and 6 and the kids need to be potty trained though we know that accidents happen, just bring a change of clothes.
The Wild Child Fridays are for age 7-12.
We can make slight exceptions if the child seems to be ready to be part of a program.
Can I come to visit before I sign up my child?
Contact us to arrange for a visit, for you or you and your child. Parents are also welcome to stay with their child if needed to support the kids getting used to this program. You can also consider dropping-in to the Frog & Tadpole program.
Who are my child’s teachers?
All facilitators have experience working with children in the outdoors. They hold formal qualifications including BEd, MA and valid First Aid certificates. Each facilitator has a clear criminal record check and Vulnerable Sector Check. Learn more about each teacher here.
What are the ways I can pay for the programs?
Payment must be made prior to the start of programs unless alternate arrangements have been made or for the programs with drop-in (Frog & Tadpole).
Funding help? For scholarships, contact us and describe your situation and needs.
There are 3 ways to pay:
- Pay online with credit card at www.theforestpath.ca
- E-transfer. Email forestpathnelson@gmail.com
- Cash or Check also work. Please make checks payable to: Malin Christensson.
Mailing address 508 Houston St, Nelson BC, V1L 5H7.
What if I need to cancel?
We understand that life happens and you may need to cancel for some reason. Parents may withdraw a child from the program at any time. If the program is cancelled by the Forest Path for any reason, a full refund will be provided.
If you cancel your registration 2 weeks ahead of time, a full refund will be provided minus a $30 administration fee. If you cancel within 2 weeks and we are able to fill that spot with another child, a full refund will be provided minus a $20 administration fee. If we are not able to fill that spot with another child, we will refund 50% of the program cost minus a $20 administration fee. No credit for missed classes. In the event of a last-minute emergency, contact the office to discuss refund options.
What about if it is really smoky from wild fires and climate change?
If it is smoky AQI level orange or red or AQHI average over 7-10, we will go inside if that is available or cancel. If it is cancelled, I will refund minus $20 administration fee.
Smoky air due to forest fires is sad and stressful and hard to measure as the air quality keeps changing. In the past we have moved some camps inside and run an air filter machine. The US Air Quality Index (AQI) communicates the air quality of the single worst pollutant. It goes from 0 (healthy) to 500 (very hazardous) and it is colour coded. Red, over 300, represents hazardous air quality.
In Canada, Air Quality Health Index is used (AQHI) with numbers 1-10. The rating is the sum of the health risks from each of the pollutants in the index. Recommendations for air quality are:
High – AQHI Index level 7 to 10: Reduce or reschedule outdoor activities and take it easy.
Very High – AQHI Index level above 10: Strenuous activities outside and physical exertion should be avoided.
If using the AQI model, The Forest Path will consider moving indoors at level orange. Orange (101-151 AQI)- It’s OK to be active outside, especially for short activities such as recess and physical education (PE). For longer activities such as athletic practice, take more breaks and do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms and take action as needed.
BC Air Quality Health Index (look at Castlegar) https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/provincial_summary/bc_e.html
Air quality index: https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Nelson&country=CAN
Air quality real time map https://map.purpleair.com/
Smoke forecast map https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/
Children with asthma, allergies, or chronic health issues may have more trouble breathing when smoke or ash is present. Dust masks, surgical masks, bandanas, and breathing through a wet cloth will not protect your child from smoke.
Why is it good for kids to be outdoors?
Humans evolved to be outdoors. It is our birthright! We believe learning doesn’t have to be confined to four walls. The program follows the Forest School philosophy which is child-directed, emergent and inquiry-based learning. Research continues to show that nature reduces stress, increases attention span and fosters healthy brain development. It is critical to the healthy development of the whole child. See the resources page for more reading. Our other leg in our approach is Coyote Mentoring, which is based on a wholesome, healthy way to create community, learning and connection.
What happens if my child gets cold?
Teachers will be proactive by checking in with children regularly on how they are feeling. Physical activities that keep the children warm are encouraged and on cold days the facilitators will either bring hot tea or make tea or soup on the site. We also bring hand/foot warmers and sometimes make a fire. The coldest we have been in so far was -10, for a two-hour session, with no big complaints. Depending on the wind chill, classes might be cancelled due to too cold weather.
How do you stay safe? What about bears, cougars, ticks, sticks, storms?
Read our Safety Handbook.
Please tell your child that it is important to listen to the Forest School teachers in order to keep them safe. We also include the children in looking for hazards.
In summer times, please check your child for ticks after each day. We have not seen many.
We have so far just seen a bear once for the 4 years of The Forest Path and that was with an unusually small group of only 4 people. We carry bear spray.
How do you go potty?
Children must be comfortable using (or learning to using) the bathroom outdoors. The facilitators bring a small shovel, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. We teach appropriate ways to leave no trace and choice of site and will assist younger kids by holding them up if needed. Here is some advice for girls.