lumen & willow
fOREST sCHOOL
At Lumen & Willow, we believe that learning begins with wonder. When children are free to explore, they discover both the world around them & who they are within it.
The forest is our teacher — alive, unpredictable, and endlessly generous. Every fallen branch, every patch of moss, every shift in weather offers a new invitation to observe, imagine, and create. In the forest, children learn to slow down, to listen deeply, and to trust their instincts.
Education should feel alive.
It should invite wonder, honor questions, and celebrate the slow magic of discovery.
At Lumen & Willow, children learn not just about the world — they learn with it.
We believe that when light (Lumen) and growth (Willow) meet, learning becomes something deeper — something rooted, radiant, and real.
Our approach is rooted in the Forest School philosophy: child-led, play-based, experiential learning that unfolds through time spent in nature. It’s a way of learning that honors curiosity, builds resilience, and fosters connection — to self, to others, and to the living world.
lumen & willow
At Lumen & Willow, we believe that learning begins with wonder. When children are free to explore, they discover the world around them & who they are within it.
The forest is our teacher — alive, unpredictable, and endlessly generous. Every fallen branch, every patch of moss, every shift in weather offers a new invitation to observe, imagine, and create. In the forest, children learn to slow down, to listen deeply, and to trust their instincts.
Education should feel alive & vibrant, like nature.
It should invite wonder, honor questions, and celebrate the slow magic of discovery.
At Lumen & Willow, children learn not just about the world — they learn with it.
We believe that when light (Lumen) and growth (Willow) meet, learning becomes something deeper — something rooted, radiant, and real.
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Every fallen log, changing sky & muddy puddle holds a lesson worth learning.
Child-Led Learning
Children learn best when they are trusted to follow their interests. When curiosity leads, learning becomes joyful and lasting. Whether they are tracking animal prints, weaving willow crowns, or experimenting with balance on a fallen log, children at Lumen & Willow learn through doing, observing, and wondering.
Child-Led Learning
Learning Through Play and Risk
Play is children’s natural language — it’s how they make sense of the world.We embrace unstructured, imaginative, and often messy play because it allows children to test boundaries, build resilience, and learn from experience.We also honor the role of healthy risk: climbing trees, using real tools, balancing on logs, exploring new terrain. Risk teaches responsibility, problem-solving, and body awareness. In a world where children’s freedom is often limited, the forest gives it back — safely and intentionally.
Play & Risk
Connection to Nature
We are part of nature, not apart from it.Daily immersion in the forest helps children form a lifelong relationship with the earth — one built on respect, gratitude, and care. They learn to notice small details: the scent of rain, the shape of a leaf, the change in bird calls before a storm.These moments of attention nurture empathy — both for the environment and for one another. Over time, this sense of connection shapes thoughtful, responsible humans who understand that their choices matter.
Connect to Nature
Growth Through Reflection
Reflection is woven into every day.In quiet moments — sitting on a log, sketching a leaf, or sharing a story around the fire — children process what they’ve seen, felt, and learned. Reflection builds self-awareness, emotional vocabulary, and gratitude.It’s in these moments that learning takes root — not just as knowledge, but as understanding.
Growth & Reflection
Community and Belonging
Forest learning is as much about who we are together as it is about what we do.Our days include shared stories, group reflections, and collaborative play. We build a culture of kindness, listening, and inclusion — where every voice has value and every child feels seen.By learning in mixed-age groups, children develop empathy, patience, and leadership. Older ones mentor younger ones; younger ones bring curiosity that reawakens wonder in us all.We grow as individuals, and we grow as a community.
Community
The Rhythm of the Seasons
Our learning follows the rhythm of the land.Spring brings curiosity and renewal; summer invites creativity and confidence; autumn deepens reflection and responsibility; winter teaches patience and endurance.By moving with the seasons, children experience the cycles of nature as part of their own growth — learning that everything changes, and that there’s beauty in each stage.
Seasonal Rhythm
Programs for Every Stage of Wonder
Our programs grow with your child—from muddy boots to mindful explorers.*
Each age group is designed to nurture curiosity, independence, and a deep connection to the land.
Saplings (3-5)
Gentle, play-based mornings exploring nature through songs, stories, and sensory discovery. A Typical Day: exploring trails, collecting treasures, sharing stories around the log circle.
Trailblazers (6-9)
Self-directed projects in building, crafting, storytelling, and exploration. Kids develop confidence, leadership, and teamwork through play.
wayfinders (10-12)
Leadership and environmental learning for older kids.
Emphasis on collaboration, stewardship, and self-reliance.
seasonal camps
Spring, summer, and winter camps full of adventure and creative discovery. Every season brings new friends and new lessons from the land.
Our approach is rooted in the Forest School philosophy: child-led, play-based, experiential learning that unfolds through time spent in nature.
It’s a way of learning that honors curiosity, builds resilience, and fosters connection — to self, to others, and to the living world.
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Lumen & Willow was born from a simple belief: that children thrive when they’re free to explore, create, and connect with the natural world.
Our name reflects our values—*Lumen* for light, learning, and discovery; *Willow* for growth, resilience, and rootedness.
What began as small nature walks has grown into a thriving community of families who value curiosity, courage, and connection.
Daily immersion in the forest helps children form a lifelong relationship with the earth — one built on respect, gratitude, and care.
*At Lumen & Willow, learning unfolds naturally — through rhythm, relationship, and the living landscape around us.
Our team includes certified forest school practitioners and early childhood educators who believe in guiding rather than instructing.
Together, we help children discover their own sense of wonder in the woods.
Our educators don’t simply teach lessons; they create space for discovery. The forest provides the curriculum, and the children provide the questions. We blend the Forest School approach with principles of Reggio Emilia, inquiry-based learning, and environmental education — creating an experience that is as nurturing as it is empowering. The Role of the Educator Our educators act as guides, not directors. They observe closely, listen deeply, and step in thoughtfully — offering language, tools, or gentle prompts to extend a child’s curiosity. Instead of asking, “What do I want to teach today?” we ask, “What are the children showing me they’re ready to learn?” This responsive approach ensures every child’s interests, pace, and emotional needs are respected. Educators also model curiosity and care — naming birdsongs, tending the fire, and showing reverence for small details. Children mirror that attention, learning through example to approach the world with both wonder and responsibility.
Our days follow a steady, predictable rhythm — not a rigid schedule, but a gentle flow that mirrors the natural world. This rhythm helps children feel safe, calm, and free to explore.
A typical day might include: Arrival and Gathering: Morning circle under the trees — greetings, songs, and mindful breathing. Exploration and Play: Open-ended time for forest play, building, observing wildlife, or following seasonal projects. Snack and Storytime: Sharing food together, storytelling, or reading outdoors. Inquiry Projects: Child-led experiments, nature art, or simple tool work guided by educators. Reflection Circle: Sharing discoveries, expressing gratitude, and closing the day with calm and connection. This balance of freedom and structure allows children to thrive — knowing what comes next while still feeling empowered to lead their own learning.
The forest itself is our classroom — open, changing, alive. We spend the majority of our time outdoors in all seasons, adapting to weather as part of the learning experience..
Connect with Us
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Lumen & Willow Forest School
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Tel. 613-456-7890
367 Deep Woods Rd.
We’re a community that welcomes every story, every background, and every voice. Diversity and inclusion aren’t just policies—they’re part of how we grow, learn, and thrive together.