Through the Woods Forest & Nature School

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Through the Woods Forest & Nature School

Discover. Connect. Grow.

11/29/2025

The first icy day on the pond brought so much excitement!

These Forest Friends enjoyed skating, slipping and especially falling. They worked together trying to dig the rocks out of the ice, wandered through the cattails where they found a nest woven into the stalks, and had plenty of uninterrupted time to play and explore.

“Children grow into their best selves when they are given space to explore the natural world with curiosity and joy.”
– Penny Whitehouse

11/03/2025

There is something truly magical that happens when you give a group of children the time and freedom to “just play.”

Time to come up with their own ideas, questions, and stories and the freedom to explore, wonder, and create.

When play isn’t rushed or directed by adults, ideas unfold naturally. Children find their own rhythm and follow their imaginations as they explore, experiment, and discover the world around them.

“Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.”
– Kay Redfield Jamison

10/24/2025

Early Fall Forest Friends wrapped up this week. We’ve spent the last several weeks playing, exploring, creating, learning, making new friends, and embracing the changing season.

Late Fall sessions kick off this coming week, and there are still a few spots open to join the adventures:

Tuesdays 9am–12pm (1 spot available)
Oct 28–Dec 9 (no session Nov 11)
$180

Wednesdays 9am–2pm (3 spots available)
Oct 29–Dec 10
$350

Come see what this next season has in store.
Register online — link in comments.

10/21/2025

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School will be offering another Forest Day this Thursday, October 23 from 9–2. This program offers an opportunity for children ages 5–12 to enjoy a day of outdoor play and adventure. The registration fee is $40 per child, if the strike ends before Thursday, families will receive a full refund.

Forest Days are entirely outdoors, child-led, and play-based where children can explore, create, and connect with the natural world. Each day brings new adventures from building forts, or tracking animal prints, to making art from nature and exploring the creek. There is always something new to discover!

10/20/2025

Forest Friends is an entirely outdoor, child-led, play-based program for children 3–8 years old. Forest & Nature School fosters the holistic development of each participant with low ratios, uninterrupted free play time, supported risky play, and a focus on process over outcome.

As the season changes, Forest Friends continues to offer space for discovery, connection, and growth in all weather. Time spent outdoors helps children build confidence, strengthen social skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for nature as they explore, play, and learn together.

Late Fall 2025 Forest Friends

Tuesdays | October 28–December 9 | 9 AM–12 PM | $180

Wednesdays (Full Day) | October 29–December 10 | 9 AM–2 PM | $350

💬 What families are saying:
“Darren has become much more outgoing around other kids his age! We have really enjoyed this program for his development and social skills!”

Tag a friend who would love this program for their child!

Spots are limited.
Register today at www.throughthewoodsfns.ca

10/15/2025

They’re not just playing in nature.
They are:

Learning
Creating
Sensing
Believing
Relaxing
Exploring
Observing
Wondering
Connecting
Discovering
Appreciating
Understanding
Experimenting.

— Penny Whitehouse

10/14/2025

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School will be offering another Forest Day this Thursday, October 16 from 9–2. This program offers an opportunity for children ages 5–12 to enjoy a day of outdoor play and adventure. The registration fee is $40 per child, if the strike ends before Thursday, families will receive a full refund.

Forest Days are entirely outdoors, child-led, and play-based programs where children can explore, create, and connect with the natural world. Each day brings new adventures from building forts, or tracking animal prints, to making art from nature and exploring the creek. There is always something new to discover!

10/10/2025

“At Forest School, nature becomes a classroom with no walls, where children learn through self-directed play, using their whole bodies and all of their senses, in an environment that nurtures curiosity and builds self-esteem.”
— Linda McGurk

Scroll through for a glimpse from the last few weeks at Through the Woods Forest & Nature School. 🍂

10/04/2025

Through the Woods Forest & Nature School will be offering Forest School Days for children ages 5–12 as an opportunity for outdoor play and adventure during a possible teachers’ strike.

Forest School Days are entirely outdoors and rooted in child led, play based learning that celebrates exploration, creativity, and connection with the natural world.

Each day brings new opportunities to explore the forest, build friendships, and take on fun challenges.

Activities may include:
• Nature art
• Animal tracking
• Fort building
• Exploring the creek

The possibilities are endless!

If there is no strike, or the strike ends you will receive a full refund for any remaining days.

Edit!
✨ Spots are SOLD OUT for this week.

09/25/2025

Goodbye summer. Hello autumn. 🍂

Fall is such a wonderful time to be out in the forest. Down by the creek the leaves are beginning to change, the squirrels have been bustling about for weeks, and the mornings are growing crisp and fresh.

Over the last couple of weeks, Forest Friends have enjoyed all kinds of adventures. Fishing at the creek, taking risks, pausing for story breaks, mixing up jam for the squirrels, swinging higher and higher, exploring colours, learning to use tools, and working together as a team.

There is still room to join in this season’s Forest Friends on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
🍁Come enjoy the wonder of the changing forest this fall. Link to register in comments.

09/16/2025

When children lead their own play, something amazing happens!

They test ideas, take risks, work together, and grow in ways adults could never plan for them. Their play is full of learning, with problem solving, resilience, creativity, and connection built right into the rhythm of everyday adventures.

No two days look the same. Every day unfolds in its own way, and that’s where the real magic of child led play lives ✨

09/11/2025

The first week of fall Forest Friends was full of curiosity and exploration. Welcoming new friends and catching up with returning friends, fishing for minnows and water bugs, and watching the very active squirrels in the forest were just a few of the highlights.

There’s still time to join the next six weeks of Forest Friends. This outdoor program gives children ages 3–8 who are independent in the bathroom the time and space they need for child-led play and connection with nature.

•Tuesdays 9–12 (2 spots left)
$180/6 weeks
•Wednesdays 9–2 (2 spots left)
$300/6 weeks

Join the fun! Link to register is in the comments.

Address

Drayton Valley, AB

Telephone

+17805421910

Website

http://throughthewoodsfns.ca/

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