Forest Keepers

Ages 10-14 | Bi-weekly Fridays
Registration Opens March 1, 2025

Forest Keepers is a year-long program that provides youth ages 10-14 with an exciting, challenging and meaningful way to explore and engage in the natural world. We will play games, go on wild adventures, make crafts, and cultivate a deeper sense of our place in the natural world. 

  • Curriculum

    Take a more in-depth look at our forest school and wilderness awareness curriculum to see what skills and experiences your child can expect to learn.

    Learn more

  • Campus

    View our unique outdoor classroom. 50 acres of forest surrounded by park land. Seasonal creek, waterfall & yurt.

    Learn more

  • Mentors

    Get to know the team behind Thriving Roots Wilderness School and learn more about your child’s program mentors.

    Learn more

  • Forest Keepers parent, 2020-22

    “After spending a day in the rain our kiddo came home and said “I’m so grateful to have a warm home with a roof”. In a world where kids have so much “stuff” appreciating and being grateful for a warm dry home was eye opening.

    Our child has developed so many skills and such confidence through your program. His self awareness, problem solving and confidence have grown. His ability to be quiet in nature and observe. His knowledge of plants and the land and appreciation for nature. As a parent I have grown too. I have learnt through his stories and experiences, and appreciate the new range of conversations we have. Observing the mentors communication with my child and gentle way of engaging the kids rather than speak to the parents over the kids has reminded me of my child’s voice. After two years with TRWS I can honestly say my child is forever changed.

    A sincere thank you for your time and energy. For being part of our “village” and helping my son become the young person he is today.”

  • Forest Keepers/Wild Within parent, since 2020

    “The image that stands out when I think about Thriving Roots is my son, wandering down to the car barefoot, filthy and completely content.

    The mentors: patience, gentleness and so much knowledge -- this has been true of every mentor and I can see the patience and gentleness especially mirrored in how my own child engages with younger children.

    The Thriving Roots programs have been transformative -- I don't know where we would be without them.”

  • Thriving Roots parent

    My daughter’s confidence has really grown in the past few years in this program. It has really helped her socially, in part because of the multi-age environment. Her knowledge of the outdoors becomes deeper each year, and her ability to express it and teach others is so amazing!

  • Thriving Roots parent

    Thriving Roots has become a foundational program for our home learning family. Not only are its programs facilitated by wonderfully knowledgeable and loving mentors, but it truly manifests the values and teachings that reflect our inherent connection to the natural world, and that are so urgently needed for us and our children at this time.

  • Thriving Roots parent

    This program lets [my daughter] be her wild self, without school teachers or parents. I really value the style of mentoring and the guidance it gives while still maintaining each individual’s needs and ideas.

Yes! For years we’ve had students opt to take regular time off school to spend the day learning and adventuring with us in the woods. It almost always ends up as a win-win-win for the student, parents and teacher. Many parents have claimed that it helps their child be even more successful at school. Much research exists to support these findings. See this article from the Child Mind Institute to learn more about how spending time in nature is beneficial for your child’s education.

Can students in public school attend?

  • Dates: Bi-weekly. Alternating Fridays. 9:30am-3:30pm.

    Fall Semester: September 6 – December 13

    Spring Semester: January 24 – June 13

    No classes over Spring Break (March 15 – March 30)

  • Tuition: $1476 (includes $300 deposit & registration fee) + GST.

    Payment Options:

    • Credit Card: Deposit + 9 monthly instalments, or

    • Credit Card & Distributed Learning Funds: Deposit + DL Funds + Remaining balance

    Distributed Learning Funds: TRWS is registered with a number of funders e.g. Self Design, Heartwood Learning Community. We happily accept a combination of distributed learning funds and credit card. Email info@thrivingroots.org with any questions or to arrange details.

    Cancellation & Refund Policy: Please note that your registration commitment is for the full 9-month term. Please familiarise yourself with our Registration Policies before registering.

  • Conan & Cilla will be your Forest Keepers mentors. They may also be joined by an adult apprentice from our Tend the Fire Apprenticeship program.

    Read more about the Thriving Roots team here.

  • We are committed to offering needs-based Equity Fund Discounts to those who would not otherwise be able to attend our programs due to experiencing systemic barriers to wealth accumulation. Read more and apply here.

  • We have limited space available in our programs for students with high needs. (We define 'high needs' as any designation and/or behavioural or emotional need that would require extra support i.e. ADHD, Autism, physical disability, any need for 1:1 support.)

    To ensure our mentors have the relevant experience and capacity to provide the support your child needs, please fill out our Student Support – High Needs form before registering and make sure to familiarise yourself with our Registration Policies.

    • Download our recommended gear list here.

    • We will send out a program contact list to support with carpooling before the program start date.

Program Details