Enrolling for 2025-2026, contact today!~
Enrolling for 2025-2026, contact today!~
Pinewood Trails Forest School
Outdoor play is crucial for childhood development and offers a multitude of benefits.
Did you know Michigan does not have a regulation, or state law, requiring recess for students? Many schools implement recess time into their schedules, but limit it to 20 minutes, or less. When added up, this would equal approximately 50 hours outdoors, each school year.
In less than a month, our learners have surpassed this number.
Flexible, child-initiated play is at an all-time low. Exposure to the outdoors is limited. Today’s children lack sunshine, risk-taking, socialization, and an appreciation for nature.
Pinewood Trails Forest School was founded by two educators, who wish to offer more to the children we serve. We are a licensed program, providing a place-based educational experience to the families in our community.
History of
Forest School
The roots of Forest School have been traced to Denmark, Sweden, and Germany starting in the mid-twentieth century. Each country’s founder had the same goal: to immerse children in nature, whatever the weather, to play, explore, and learn.
A common feature of Forest Schools is the use of natural materials for learning and play rather than manufactured toys. This approach fosters language, imagination, and creativity in ways that traditional classrooms cannot.
Our Story
Click Read More below to discover how a pair of colleagues became a strong sisterhood of women who put their dreams together and created Pinewood Trails Forest School.
Looking to the future, both public school educators saw the need for children to spend more time outdoors. The benefits of nature, learning about the world around us, and taking extra time to support children in their social and emotional growth are the foundations of Pinewood Trails Forest School.
Enrollment Process
If Forest School sounds like the best fit for your family and child(ren), here is a snapshot of what’s next:
-Application & $50 Application Fee*
- $200 Registration Fee* & tour of Camp Lael & Pinewood Trails Outdoor Spaces
-Home Visit & Child History Conference
Upon completion of the enrollment process, your child(ren) is ready for their first day!
*Forest School fees are non-refundable. Sibling Discounts available.
K-3 Homeschool Forest Program
Pinewood Trails Forest School is excited to help bring nature, stewardship, and science to homeschool children ages 6-10.
While attending our twice-a-week class, learners will take an in-person look at how the world evolves around them.
Our homeschool program is guided by a Michigan licensed K-5 educator, with a 1:6 ratio ensuring learner safety and inclusive peer and adult interactions.
Forest School
Are you interested in your child learning beyond walls?
Pinewood Trails Forest School is composed of one certified Forest School Teacher for every six explorers. Our small session size allows 1:6 peer and adult interaction while staying true to the 6 principles of Forest School.
We offer Forest Preschool and 2 Day Forest School for ages 3-5. All explorers must be fully potty-trained.