Fall 2023
- Thursdays
- 9am – 12pm
- Ages: 6-11
- Ratio: 12 students to 3 staff (or 8 to 2)
- $665 for 8 sessions
- September 14 – December 21 (No session on Thanksgiving, November 23rd)
- Calleva Farm: 19120 Martinsburg Road, Dickerson, MD 20842
Forest Free Play
We are excited to announce Fall 2023 Forest Free Play!
With the success of our Farm and Forest program designed for our youngest campers, designed to let children experience nature through play and foster their excitement in the natural world: we wanted to invite older students to partake in the program. Our Forest Free Play ethos emphasizes social and emotional development, as well as cooperation, teamwork, kindness, compassion and empathy.
When children are allowed to “just” play in nature, deep learning takes place in the areas of ecology, biology, botany, math, physics, literacy, language and engineering. These programs emphasize social and emotional development, as well as cooperation, teamwork, kindness, compassion and empathy.
Typical Session ‘Flow’ for Mornings
9 Arrival and welcome at ‘Cubs Cottage’. .
9.20 FOREST* Short hike into the woods. Brief daily reminder about how we keep ourselves and each other safe.
9.20-11.50 Free Play which can include the following:
- Nature Activity and Exploration
- Free play in the Mud kitchen
- Stream Exploration
- Snack Time & Stories
11.50 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.
