Through the Woods Forest & Nature School

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Through the Woods Forest & Nature School

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Discover. Connect. Grow.

09/25/2026

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 of our adventures the last couple weeks!🍂

09/21/2026

There’s something pretty amazing that happens when you give a group of children the time and freedom to “just play.”

When play isn’t rushed or directed by adults, ideas unfold naturally. Children find their own rhythm and follow their imaginations as they play, explore, try new things, take risks and follow whatever ideas come up along the way!

On Friday, those ideas moved from building bridges and fish traps to swinging in the hammocks, watching the squirrels and plenty of trips down the mud slide.

09/16/2026

Last week this group asked to make a campsite and sent me home with a list of supplies to bring. This week they made a plan and got busy setting up camp!

They worked together to pitch a tent, dug a fire pit and used flint & steel to spark a fire, caught several minnows, took turns swinging in the hammocks, set up the paints and read a story in the tent.

With the time and space to follow their ideas, they were able to bring their plan to life. Along the way, they were problem solving, working together, getting creative and building confidence. This is child led, play based learning in action!

09/13/2026

Welcoming new friends and catching up with returning friends, catching the season’s first creek minnows and lots of “cool creatures” at the pond, swinging in the hammocks, balancing on the log bridge and exploring the park were just a few of the highlights from the first week of fall Forest Friends.

Follow along as the season changes and new adventures unfold. 🍂🐿️

09/09/2026

They’re not just playing in nature, they are:
learning,
creating,
sensing,
believing,
relaxing,
exploring,
observing,
wondering,
connecting,
discovering,
appreciating,
understanding,
experimenting…

~Penny Whitehouse

There are still a few spots to play, explore and discover this fall.

Thursday Forest Friends | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Details and registration: www.throughthewoodsfns.ca

09/04/2026

“I caught a leech!”

Earlier this summer the children found a big leech in the creek! Before this we had only ever seen leeches at the pond and they were much smaller than this one. As the children gathered around the bowl and watched it swim there was a mix of reactions, from curiosity to uncertainty, and lots of questions.

“Why is it so big?”
“Will it stick on me?”
“Does it hurt when they bite?”
“Are there more in the creek?”

Over the summer the children found many more big leeches in the creek! They figured out where the leeches liked to hang out and where they were easiest to catch. They watched how the leeches moved through the water and how they used their suckers to crawl around the bowl. The children learned how to handle the leeches safely and that you often can’t feel when they bite because their saliva contains an anesthetic.

As the children spent more time getting to know the leeches the fear and uncertainty faded. Eventually the leeches were given names, little homes and protected spaces were created, many snacks were offered and I even heard someone say, “I’m not scared of leeches anymore!”

Thanks to Quinny, Winnie, Jimmy, Lenny and the rest of the creek leeches for sparking a season of curiosity, giving us the opportunity to watch and learn more about them, and helping us deepen our relationship with the creek and the creatures who share it with us.

08/31/2026

If your vibe is children free to play, take risks, explore in nature and get messy, then you’re in the right place!

And if you want to get in on this vibe, there are still a few spots left for fall programs:

Thursday Forest Friends
10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Ages 3–10

November 20 PD Day Camp
9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Ages 5–12

08/29/2026

That’s a wrap on Summer Programs at Through the Woods Forest & Nature School! ☀️

From muddy creek days and exploring around the pond to making friends, trying new things, learning to use tools, getting creative and swinging in the hammocks, it was such a fun summer!

Thank you to the children who filled the summer with so many adventures and to the programs who welcomed me to play and explore with them.

08/28/2026

Looking for more outdoor play and adventure this fall?

There are still a few spots left to join fall programs!

Forest School is a child-led, play-based approach that gives children regular time in nature to explore, follow their interests, take supported risks, build relationships, and become deeply engaged in their play.

Forest Friends
A weekly Forest School program for children ages 3–10.

Tuesday group FULL

Thursday group
10am-2pm
Session 1: September 10–October 15
Session 2: October 22–November 26
$240 + GST/session

PD Day Camps
A full day of outdoor play, exploration, and adventure for children ages 5–12.

9am-2pm
September 18 FULL
October 23 FULL
November 20 (2 spots available)
$40 + GST/day

*all programs take place at Lions West Valley Park (across from Ricochet Aquatic Center)

Register online at www.throughthewoodsfns.ca

06/03/2026

Rainy Day Adventures! 🌧️

The last couple of days were spent splashing in puddles, building an obstacle course for the beetles, making friends with the worms, enjoying snack under the tarp, mixing and creating with watercolours and noticing how different the creek looked after the rain!

Address

Drayton Valley, AB

Telephone

+17805421910

Website

http://throughthewoodsfns.ca/

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