Photo: Kim Urbaniak

Forest and Nature School

History of Forest and Nature School

In October 2021, the magic started. 

A group of inspired parents and environmental educators enchanted the first group of young children and their carers. Together, they discovered and explored their forest backyards, week after week. Using a play-based, child-led, emergent curriculum, the explorers were offered time and space to build, play, and engage with one another. 

With regular and repeated access to nature across every season of the year, the children became the magic themselves, showing us over and over again what an amazing teacher nature is herself. Since then, we’ve grown to offer four once-per-week programs for kids aged twelve and under. 

We are happy to welcome the Kimberley Outdoor Learning Society’s Forest & Nature School programs as our own, effective September 2023. Our goal is to expand Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook’s year-round programming, while simultaneously helping the Forest & Nature School to streamline the behind-the-scenes work. But don’t worry, the programs will remain play-based, child-led, and guided by Forest and Nature School principles, as they always have been!

 

Our Programs

Deer and Fawn Parented Play (0-5 years)
Learn and explore in the outdoors together through games, storytelling, and crafts. Activities are inspired by the children’s interests.  We meet rain, shine, or snow to explore the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the natural world in all seasons.

For children aged 0 – 5 years old and their carers; ideally geared for those comfortable walking in weather-appropriate gear (eg. rain boots or snow boots). Younger children are welcome, but please note that many activities may be more difficult for children who aren’t yet walking. 

Deer and Fawn Parented Play (0-5 years)

Fall 2025: September 12 – December 12 
Timing: Fridays 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Location: This program takes place in Lois Creek Trails, specific location TBD
Investment: $165 per family (12 weeks, no program November 7 and 14)
Please note: Minimum 1 parent/guardian must be present with your dependents. Some activities may be more difficult for children who aren’t yet walking.

register here

 


Wolf Cubs Unparented Play (3-5 years)
Fun adventures in the forest! Wolf Cubs is an unparented program for children from 3 years (who are walking confidently and potty trained) up to school age. Explore, play, and make friends!

Wolf Cubs is about helping children build confidence and social skills through reassuring routines and child-led activities, exploring, and playing. 

We meet rain, shine, or snow to explore the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the natural world in all seasons. Activities may include splashing in streams, building, mud play, creative games, free play, stories, and crafts. Wolf Cubs also experiment with tool work and beneficial risk-taking.  

Wolf Cubs Unparented Play (3-5 years):

Fall 2025: September 16 – December 9
Timing: Tuesdays 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Location: This program takes place in Lois Creek Trails, specific location TBD
Investment: $214 per child (10 weeks, no program September 30, November 4 & 11)

register here

 


Snowshoe Hares Afterschool (5-13 years)
A wild after-school adventure for children in kindergarten through grade 7. Have fun exploring the forest come rain, shine, or snow! 

The Snowshoe Hares afterschool program is a place and time where children can experience and connect to the forest through repeated visits to the same locations. This less structured time will be child-led and supported by the instructors. Activities may include exploration, free play, STEAM challenges, tool use, games, and crafts.

Snowshoe Hares Afterschool (5-13 years)

Fall 2025: In Hibernation
Timing: Mondays 2:45 – 5:00 pm
Location: This program takes place in Lois Creek Trails, starting at Lindsay Park School and ending at the Trail Street Entrance
Investment: $173 per child for 9 weeks

Please note: This program is in hibernation until further notice. Please email kim@wildsight.ca to express interest or for more information.

 


Ravens Full Day (5-13 years)
As wise, creative birds, ravens travel their own unique paths through life. In this homeschool support group for kindergarten to grade 7, students will soar widely and deepen their horizons exploring and connecting with the forest across the seasons.
Ravens will spend the full day in the forest engaging in exploration, games, group activities, and STEAM challenges. Ravens have lots of time for free play, supported by some instructor-led activities and reflection time.

 


The garden is also shifting toward something even more ambitious: a food forest. The vision is a space that not only produces food but also tells a story about how diverse systems can thrive together.Read More 
Gloves on, bags in hand, and community spirit high, residents and businesses in Cranbrook and Kimberley rallied during Earth Week 2025.Read More 
We are currently seeking an outgoing and organized individual to be the driver behind our Food Sustainability work in Kimberley!Read More 
Read more news

Upcoming Kimberley Cranbrook events

Cattle Panel Garden Trellis Workshop

Tuesday, June 24

Want to grow more food in less space? Learn how to grow vertically using sturdy, efficient cattle panel trellises.

Camp Odyssey

July 7 - August 15

A nature-based day camp in Kimberley & Cranbrook, where kids spend their days exploring and playing outdoors in a safe, structured, and fun environment. We hike, garden, learn wilderness survival skills, craft, play games...

Apple Capture: Pick & Press Events

Tuesday, September 9

Cranbrook and Kimberley are home to many fruit trees — help us ensure that local fruit is diverted from going to the landfill or becoming wildlife attractants by volunteering at one of our Pick and Press events! 

Kimberley Farmers' Market 2025

June 19 - September 18

The Kimberley Farmers' Market will be serving up fresh produce from local farmers, crafts from local artisans, live music, and delicious food for you to enjoy each Thursday throughout the summer!

Forest and Nature School: Fall 2025 Programs

September 12 - December 12

Forest and Nature School offers regular and repeated access to nature across every season which allows children to become the magic themselves, showing us what an amazing teacher nature is herself.

View all events

Join The Team

Want to protect wildlife, clean water and wild spaces? Volunteer with us! Wildsight volunteers are a very special group of people who give generously of their time to stuff envelopes, attend rallies, help run events, put up posters, keep tabs on forestry practices in their communities and participate in citizen science initiatives.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Branch Information

Contact

97 Wallinger Ave
Kimberley, BC V1A 1Y6

Office Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm (by appointment only)
Phone: 250-427-2535

kimcran@wildsight.ca