Calleva

Adventure is not in the guidebooks and beauty is not on the maps

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.

Fall 2026

  • Wednesdays
  • 9am – 2pm
  • Ages: 5-13
  • Ratio: 6 students to 1 staff
  • Dates:
    • September 16-November 18 (10 sessions)
      • September 30th – Riley’s Lock / Adventure Island Canoe Field Trip (weather dependent)
      • October 21st – Sugarloaf Mountain Field Trip (weather dependent)
      • All other sessions take place on the Calleva Farm
      • Transportation provided for field trips
    • Families must sign up for the whole spring session (the 2 field trips are included)
  • Calleva Farm: 19120 Martinsburg Road, Dickerson, MD 20842
  • Cost: $700 for 10 sessions (8 farm free play and 2 field trips)
Register now!
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.