Forest Free Play
With the success of our Farm and Forest Cub program — designed to let young children experience nature through play and foster their excitement in the natural world — we wanted to invite older students to partake in a similar experience.
Our Forest Free Play program emphasizes social and emotional development, as well as cooperation, teamwork, kindness, compassion, and empathy.
When children are allowed to “just” play in nature, meaningful learning in the areas of ecology, biology, botany, math, physics, literacy, language, and engineering also takes place.
SPRING 2023
- Thursdays
- 9am – 12pm
- Ages: 6-11
- Ratio: 6 students to 1 staff
- Dates coming soon
- Calleva Farm: 19120 Martinsburg Road, Dickerson, MD 20842
Typical Session Flow
9 am Arrival and welcome at ‘Cubs Cottage’. .
9:20 am FOREST* Short hike into the woods. Brief daily reminder about how we keep ourselves and each other safe.
9:20 – 11:50 am Free Play which can include the following:
- Nature Activity and Exploration
- Free play in the Mud kitchen
- Stream Exploration
- Snack Time & Stories
11:50 am Walk back up through woods to gather belongings and meet parents.
*Although we talk about the ‘flow’ of each session, our staff have no fixed agenda for the children to follow. The children’s play and interests guide their education. Children have a huge capacity for absorbing information and making connections – and in our experience, we have found that the more they are interested in something, the more knowledge they can take in and retain.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: As with every Calleva program, we will be outdoors in all weather.
- Children should be ready to spend their entire program/day out in the cold, damp Mid-Atlantic winter weather.
- They MUST arrive dressed for the outdoors, in suitable layers, footwear (waterproof winter boots), winter outerwear, gloves, hats, etc.
- Our covered but “open-air” barns provide shelter from precipitation but they are NOT heated. We will warm up around outdoor campfires whenever possible.
- Despite proper clothing and these other “warming” measures, there will be times when groups will need to warm up INDOORS. This means we will utilize a few heated rooms — small alcoves in our barns with electric heating — where we may retreat for some indoor activities.
Refunds, Cancellations & Health Policies
Any medical related refund requests will be considered on an individual basis.
If you cancel on or after 14 days before your program start date, you are obligated to pay for your child(ren’s) spot in the semester.
Medical Authorization Forms will still be needed for all medications.
Policy: Please read and understand our current policies regarding KEEPING STUDENT HEALTHY with expectations for both campers, families, and staff while we operate under these heightened conditions. We also encourage you to spend time understanding our Infectious Disease Policy which includes the most recent requirements from the Department of Health and American Camping Association.
