WILD CASCARA
NATURALIST SCHOOL
YOUTH and FAMILY programs at WCNS
Wild Cascara Naturalist School provides hands-on outdoor learning programs for youth in grades K-5, middle, and high school. Our programs follow shared principles of the Forest School model which emphasizes unstructured time in nature, full immersion in the natural environment as the classroom and teacher, place-based learning, and authentic play. In addition to learning practical skills for sustainable homesteading, students also have the opportunity to learn crafts and skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. Our programs cover a range of topics, including food sovereignty, watersheads and their diversity, plant medicine making and Indigenous wisdom in relation to tending the earth.
We offer classes throughout the school year and summer season. We seek to foster interdependence, creative problem-solving with peers, and deeper relationships with the earth. Our older students are encouraged to develop sustainable practices for their current and future lives. We promote the development of intuitive wisdom, imaginative creativity, and inner genius among all students, regardless of age.
ELEMENTARY & Young ADULT
programs
FOUNDATIONS (K- 2nd)
Elementary
Our K-2 program offers a guided approach to natural world learning. We use a place-based approach that supports risky play to develop physical and social skills. Our students are fully immersed in nature, rain or shine, and engage in relational learning in an outdoor classroom.
Our custom place-based curriculum follows the Earth's seasonal rhythms and naturally incorporates math, reading, and writing skills into students' exploration of the world. Mixed-age cohorts allow for peer mentorships and independent studies within each age group.
This program fosters the developmentally appropriate sense of wonder and imagination in young children.
CREATIVE ENERGIES & LAUNCH (Middle-High School)
Young Adult
Our Creative Energies and Launch program offers education for young adults to develop an authentic connection to themselves and their communities while participating in place-based and inquiry-based learning. Our mentors create apprenticeships for students to directly learn and apply skills, preparing them with practical life-long skills for the future.
FOUNDATIONS (3rd - 5th)
Elementary
Our grades 3-5 program follows a similar structure and curriculum as the younger grades, but is adapted to fit their developmental levels. At this stage, students are encouraged to take more ownership of their learning, with opportunities to explore topics in-depth and share their knowledge with the community. We support creative exploration and unstructured play to keep their maturing imaginations active and thriving.
Programs for EVERYONE
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Everyone
Wild Cascara seeks partnerships with organizations to provide support and connect our youth and young adult programs with the community. Our community services include clean-up days, gardening, and collaboration with local social justice organizations, putting into practice what we teach at Wild Cascara.
RENT THE SCHOOLHOUSE
Everyone
Are you an herbalist, healer, DIY enthusiast, or craftsperson looking for a space to share your knowledge? Look no further! Wild Cascara welcomes individuals from all walks of life to come and utilize our schoolhouse and the beautiful 20-acre forest on our property. Whether you're interested in teaching herbalism, healing modalities, homesteading projects, or crafts, we have the perfect space for you. Please fill out our Schoolhouse Rental Questionnaire or visit our contact page to inquire about dates and pricing.
FAMILY CLASSES
Everyone
Join any of our family classes to connect with like-minded families, exchange knowledge and ideas, and build stronger family dynamics. These classes offer community support in parenting and help families form authentic connections with one another. Classes will range from plant identification and herbal remedies to nonviolent communication and nature walks tailored to fit the needs of your unique family.
LAND SERVICE CLASSES
Everyone
Land Services classes are for people who want to learn about land restoration and the native habitat of the Pacific Northwest. By offering your time as service to the land, we will work on various projects around the property, schoolhouse, and other sister sites, including Echo Valley Native Nursery and neighboring properties. We will focus on tasks such as invasive plant removal, planting native species, riparian restoration, and learning about soil ecology, among other activities. These classes are a great way to get your hands in the dirt and connect with the land at a slower pace.