FREE FOREST SCHOOL
Building an inclusive nature play movement
WHO WE ARE
Free Forest School is a global network with regional chapters of children and caregivers strengthening bonds through joyful outdoor play. Our goal is to nurture curiosity, creativity and resilience in nature’s classroom through child-led exploration.
OUR VISION
A world where every child grows up playing outdoors.
OUR MISSION
Nurturing kids and empowering adults by connecting to nature, culture and each other through outdoor play.
THE CHANGE WE SEEK
Empowered caregivers who value unstructured outdoor play
Confident, curious, independent, and empathetic kids
Improved mental and physical health outcomes for kids and adults
Supportive, connected, and equitable communities that prioritize inclusivity, outdoors and online
Generations of environmental stewards
WHO WE SERVE
We serve adults in young kids’ lives.
Parents, grandparents, foster parents, babysitters, childcare providers, teachers, neighbors, family members, friends. Caregivers of any kind.
We think of young kids as spanning birth to age 8, but our principles work for older kids, too.
To participate, join Our Outdoors now!
OUR PRINCIPLES
Simple principles drive our work.
Caring adults can connect children to nature, no expertise required.
Nature is all around us.
Every culture has a unique connection to nature.
Nature play is good for us all—kids, families communities and the earth.
WHAT WE DO
Addressing common barriers, we empower caregivers to create access to nature play.
Our Outdoors
Our Outdoors is a virtual nature play hub for finding playmates near you and the support you need, no matter where you are on your nature play journey.
Pilot Projects
We work on the ground with partners in our home community of Minneapolis / St. Paul to create access to nature play for kids facing significant barriers.
Partners
We partner with national organizations, universities and non-profits to broaden the nature play movement through research, conferences, forums and alliances.
Our commitment.
We believe young people of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities deserve and benefit from unstructured play in nature.
We believe diversity brings invaluable richness and depth to our local groups and our organization.
We commit to examining the role this organization has played in perpetuating systemic racism.
We welcome participants and leaders of all walks of life, and seek to foster an environment where all people are included, valued, heard, respected, and empowered.
We commit to creating a more inclusive and equitable climate for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQ and other communities who have been and continue to be marginalized.