Enrollment.
It’s important that your family makes an informed decision about joining AONA for the school year. Once an application form and application fee are submitted, the director will set up a Zoom meeting with the parent(s). During this time, the director will be able to answer any questions you may have about the program and work with you to determine if this could be a favorable type of learning environment for your child. If forest school seems like a possible fit, your family will be invited out to tour our learning space.
Next, your child will need to attend a trial day as our guest, experiencing what it’s like to be in an outdoor classroom. This allows the teacher to observe your child as an outdoor learner. Children that do well in our classroom are able to consistently follow directions, demonstrate respect, and are kind to others.
The family and director will finally determine if AONA would be a program in which your child could flourish. This decision has to be a good fit for everyone: your child, the parents, the teachers, and the other students. Parents will be offered enrollment via email from the director if it is determined that the child will likely do well in the program. Should enrollment not be extended, the parents will be emailed informing them of the decision.
Once the offer of enrollment is sent and the $200 Enrollment Fee is made, your child’s spot in our program is secured.
Application.
Families interested in the Nature Immersion or Trail Blazers program will need to submit the application along with a non-refundable $75 application fee to be placed on our waitlist and/or begin the application process.
Family Handbook.
The Handbook contains important information that will help you in deciding whether or not a forest school would be a good fit for your whole family. Please email us to receive a copy.
Stress reduction, greater physical health, a deeper sense of spirit, more creativity, a sense of play, even a safer life- these are the rewards that await a family when it invites more nature into children’s lives.
-Richard Louv, The Last Child in the Woods