Course Descriptions

All courses are conducted over Zoom with LIVE instructors and REAL-TIME interactions with a cohort of new friends from around the world.
Content follows the constructivist and emergent curriculum philosophy -- i.e. digging in the mud.
Our courses are customized to meet the needs of individual participants. Each participants receives one-on-one consults as part of the scheduled sessions.

We believe to create community,

you must first experience community.

Introduction to

Forest School

3 LIVE ZOOM sessions

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ET

For those who want to learn more about this global movement, the principles that define it, and the benefits it provides.

Upcoming Dates:

January 20-22, 2025
February 24-26
April 21-23
July 14-16
August 25-27
October 6-8
November 17-19
December 1-3
December 8-10

Session Content:

Session content will include live discussions, interactive presentations, and virtual forest school visits. Hosted by FSTI Founder Dr. Jean Lomino.

Session Topics:

Foundational Principles and Key Features of Forest School

Benefits towards the Social, Emotional, Cognitive, Spiritual, and Physical Development of the Child

Naturalist Studies: Engaging with Nature through a Child’s Eyes

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites are required for this introductory level course. It is open to anyone. It serves as a prerequisite to all other Forest School Teacher Institute courses.

Participant Receives:

Introduction to Forest School Certificate upon completion of 4.5 hours of online work and an additional 1.5 hours of work offline. (Six TOTAL Hours)

Fee: $95

Note: 10% discount for groups of 2 or more colleagues. Register for all three courses -- Intro, Teacher, Director -- at once and receive a $100 discount.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Click Here to Find Our Enrollment Form

Forest School

Teacher Training

10 LIVE ZOOM Weekday Sessions

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ET

For those who want to deepen their understanding of child development and hone their teaching skills in nature.

Upcoming Dates:

January 27-February 7, 2025
March 3-14
April 28-May 9
July 21-August 1
September 1-11
October 13-24

NOTE: Nightly online sessions happen on weeknights only. We do not have required meetings on Saturday or Sunday. The final session is a 30-minute, one-on-one consultation session scheduled with you at a time of your choosing at the end of the course. In-person events are held at specific sites and will take place over three consecutive days, including two evening sessions.

Session Content:

Session content will include live discussions, interactive presentations, and virtual forest school visits.

Session Topics:

Forest School Observation and Assessment Strategies

Flow Learning in Forest School

Developing Rhythms, Rituals, and Mindfulness

Integrating Cultural Themes and Activities

Naturalist Studies

Developing Emergent Learning Frameworks Preschool - 3rd Grade

Developing Emergent Learning Frameworks Grades 4 - 8

Lab: Nature Journaling

Seminar: Course Synthesis Presentations

Prerequisite:

Introduction to Forest School

Participant Receives:

Forest School Teacher Certification upon completion of 14.5 hours of online course work and consultations. Additional course work offline includes reading assignments and course projects. (30 TOTAL hours)

Fee: Only $595. Special rates apply for in-person trainings.

Note: 10% discount for groups of 2 or more colleagues. Register for all three courses -- Intro, Teacher, Director -- at once and receive a $100 discount!

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Click Here to Find Our Enrollment Form

Forest School

Director Training

10 LIVE ZOOM sessions

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ET

For those who serve or plan to serve as school leaders, heads of schools, school founders, and/or curriculum directors.

Upcoming Dates:

January 6-17, 2025
February 10-21
March 31-April 11
June 30-July 11
August 11-22
September 22-October 3
November 3-14

NOTE: Nightly sessions happen on weeknights only. We do not have required meetings on Saturday or Sunday. The final session is a 30-minute, one-on-one consultation session scheduled with you at a time of your choosing at the end of the course.

Session Content:

Session content will include live discussions, interactive presentations, and virtual forest school visits.

Session Topics:

Site Development and Assessment I

Site Development and Assessment II

Developing Forest School Culture and Identity

Staff Development and Budget

Marketing

Building Community Partnerships

Providing for Children with Special Learning Rights

Course Synthesis: Proposal Presentations

Seminar: Global Forest School Movement

Prerequisites:

Introduction to Forest School

Teaching in a Forest School

Participant Receives:

Forest School Director Certification upon completion of 14.5 hours of online course work and consultations. Additional course work offline includes reading assignments and course projects. (30 TOTAL hours)

Fee: Only $695. Special rates apply for in-person trainings.

Note: 10% discount for groups of 2 or more colleagues. Register for all three courses -- Intro, Teacher, Director -- at once and receive a $100 discount.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Click Here to Find Our Enrollment Form

Forest School Teacher Institute's Online Training Registration Form

Please understand the enrollment process is a 2-Step Process.

Clicking Submit at the bottom of this form is Step 1. Step 2 will be payment. You will receive confirmation after your application and payment is received.

Enrolling in Introduction to Forest School - $95

Enrolling in Forest School Teacher Training - $595

Enrolling in Forest School Director Training - $695

Enrolling in "Included" Course or Classes

Please check confirming your understanding: ***The Introduction to Forest School course is a required prerequisite for all other courses. It provides foundational language and understanding in the areas of child development, forest school philosophy, and forest school implementation. Content in all other courses builds upon the information shared in this introductory course.

I am part of a group of people from the same school.

Check here to indicate acceptance of FSTI terms and conditions.

Check here to indicate agreement to the payment requirements. Full tuition is required in advance. Enrollment is not confirmed until payment is received. Full refunds will be given to cancellations 14 days prior to start date. Partial refunds (50%) will be given up to 48 hours before start date. No refunds will be given after the 48-hour deadline.