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]

 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. 

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]

Upcoming Dates:   

• 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. 

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]

Introducing our First Leadership Journey: 

Farm and Forest School

"From Passion to Reality: Build Your Farm & Forest School Today!"

Starting a nature-based school might feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our Leadership Journey combines expert mentorship, actionable steps, and flexible support to help you create a program that thrives—whether it’s on a small farm, a backyard homestead, or in the heart of your city.

Facilitators: Talon and Travis Holleman, Co-Founders and Program Directors of ROOTS Farm & Forest School, a transformative educational program located on their 2.7-acre homestead in Sussex County, Delaware. Their journey from Baltimore, Maryland, where they have been together since the age of 14, to creating a life centered around family, nature, and education, reflects their deep commitment to fostering a meaningful and sustainable lifestyle.Their personal and educational philosophies align with the ethics of permaculture: "Care for the Earth, Care for People, Share the Abundance, and Education."

ROOTS cultivates lifelong learners and leaders through immersive, child-led, nature-based education on our vibrant homestead. Guided by the changing seasons and rooted in project-based learning, we nurture curiosity, exploration, and service. Our programs empower children to care for themselves, their community, and the environment, fostering resilience, compassion, and essential life skills to thrive in diverse settings and contribute meaningfully to the world.

ROOTS does this through farm and forest schooling in homeschool enrichment programs, summer camps, after-school programs, yoga & SEL classes, field trips, school & community collaborations, birthday parties, toddler nature exploration classes, and soon: a 4-day nature school. Our vibrant learning environment includes pollinator gardens, food forests, nature playscape, and children's gardens, alongside the care of animals like goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits.