The mission of Forest Floor is to connect people to Nature, Each Other, and Themselves
Announcements and Updates:
(To sign-up for our Newsletter, click here)
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2013 Summer Camps!
Summer is fast approaching! Be sure to make the most of it. We're excited to announce the start of both a
Teen Camp and Advanced Camp(for retuning campers) in addition to our popular Run Wild! "basic" camp.
Checkout the schedule and register here.
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Intro to Bird Language:
At Small Terrain in West Asheville
Must register on the Small Terrain website(click link, scroll down the class menu on the left and click class title).
Grey Fox Fire-making Video
In this short video of our most recent program day, watch as the
Grey Fox children meet the 5 Minute Fire Challenge
and celebrate their success.
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Spring 2013 Homeschool Programs
Due to high demand, we are excited to the announce the start of our new weekly Flying Squirrel home-school program in Swannanoa. This in addition to our returning Red-Tailed Hawk weekly home-school program. Both programs start this coming Spring 2013!
These are an opportunity to immerse your child in a long-term nature-connection mentoring experience,
and is the backbone of our current youth-oriented offerings.
Follow this link or see below for details.
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Forest Floor is seeking New Locations
In our pursuit of fostering powerful, living connections between children and our planet - Forest Floor Wilderness Programs is searching for additional locations to hold our home-school and after-school programs, and reach more Asheville area families.
We are rapidly growing beyond the holding capacity of our current wonderful location, so:
If you might have, or know of, land in the greater Asheville area where 10 to 20 children could meet to explore, connect and celebrate our amazing Earth, once or twice a week,
Please let us know!
(To sign-up for our Newsletter, click here)
-----------------------------------
2013 Summer Camps!
Summer is fast approaching! Be sure to make the most of it. We're excited to announce the start of both a
Teen Camp and Advanced Camp(for retuning campers) in addition to our popular Run Wild! "basic" camp.
Checkout the schedule and register here.
------------------------------------
Intro to Bird Language:
At Small Terrain in West Asheville
Bird Language is an incredibly powerful tool for revealing the secrets of the natural world. Join us as we delve into the amazing world of the birds.
In this class we will outline the 5 most common bird vocalizations, discussing their meanings and implications. In addition we will illustrate several bird behavioral patterns and how to interpret what they are telling you about the often hidden activities of the other animals in the landscape, including yourself. This understanding can how a dramatic impact on how you experience our avian friends, and offers insights that will carry over into your daily life.
When: May 22 , 2013
Where: Small Terrain; 278 Haywood Rd. in West Asheville (google map)
Time: 6:30-8pm
Cost: $10 - $20 sliding scale
Must register on the Small Terrain website(click link, scroll down the class menu on the left and click class title).
-----------------
Grey Fox Fire-making Video
In this short video of our most recent program day, watch as the
Grey Fox children meet the 5 Minute Fire Challenge
and celebrate their success.
------------------
Spring 2013 Homeschool Programs
Due to high demand, we are excited to the announce the start of our new weekly Flying Squirrel home-school program in Swannanoa. This in addition to our returning Red-Tailed Hawk weekly home-school program. Both programs start this coming Spring 2013!
These are an opportunity to immerse your child in a long-term nature-connection mentoring experience,
and is the backbone of our current youth-oriented offerings.
Follow this link or see below for details.
-------------------
Forest Floor is seeking New Locations
In our pursuit of fostering powerful, living connections between children and our planet - Forest Floor Wilderness Programs is searching for additional locations to hold our home-school and after-school programs, and reach more Asheville area families.
We are rapidly growing beyond the holding capacity of our current wonderful location, so:
If you might have, or know of, land in the greater Asheville area where 10 to 20 children could meet to explore, connect and celebrate our amazing Earth, once or twice a week,
Please let us know!
"When we are out in the yard, playing at the park' or walking around in
the woods, [our daughter] will point out plant species and tell me their names
and uses. Her confidence has increased, and she is learning the value
of just being quiet sometimes- which I welcome."
-Starr, parent
-Starr, parent
"The level of learning was amazing: survival skills, learning to hear
their inner voice, botanical identification and so much more. You guys
packed a lot into each day!"
-Julie Ann, parent
-Julie Ann, parent
"I am impressed with the degree of knowledge [the instructors] possess and bring
to the children's experience. Not only is your love of the outdoors
evident, but you bring a thorough level of expertise in outdoor
education."
-parent
-parent
"The instructors are AWESOME. They connect so well with the kids, and are always very upbeat, positive and supportive."
-parent
-parent
Red-tailed Hawk
Weekly Homeschool Program
Weekly Homeschool Program
Time: Mondays, 9 am - 2 pm
Dates: Feb. 18 - May 13, with a break on April 22 (12 total)
Price: Sliding Scale for the full season is $300-$400. Monthly payment plan available.
Location: Herb
Mountain Farm, only 20 min. NE of Asheville, part of over
100 acres of forested conservation land in the beautiful Reems Creek
Valley. A Google Map with the option to get directions can be
found here.
Registration: This program is FULL for the Spring season. If you are interested in registering for the Fall season, contact us to get on the early waiting list now.
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Registration: This program is FULL for the Spring season. If you are interested in registering for the Fall season, contact us to get on the early waiting list now.
___________________________
Flying Squirrel
Weekly Homeschool Program
Weekly Homeschool Program
Time: Thursdays, 9am - 3pm
Dates: Mar. 14 - May 23, with a break on April 25 (10 total)
Price: Sliding Scale for the full season is $250-$360
Monthly payment plan available.
Location: Swannanoa 4-H Center; only a 10 min. drive west of Black Mountain or 15 min. east of Asheville. A Google map with the option to get directions can be found here.
Registration: Registration is OPEN. Contact us if you are interested.
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Grey Fox
Monthly Saturday Program
Time: One Saturday a month, 9 am - 3 pm
Dates: (8 total) Sept. 29, Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15, Jan. 19, Feb. 16, Mar. 16, Apr. 20
Price: Sliding Scale for the entire year is $220-$300. Monthly payment plan available.
Location: Herb
Mountain Farm, only 20 min. NE of Asheville, part of over
100 acres of forested conservation land in the beautiful Reems Creek
Valley. A Google Map with the option for getting directions can be
found here.
Registration: Registration for this program is CLOSED for the season.
Registration: Registration for this program is CLOSED for the season.
_________________________
Our Methods:
Forest Floor utilizes a distinctive and highly effective educational approach called Nature-Connection Mentoring, which uses children's inherent enthusiasm for the natural world as a context to actively engage them in the learning process. Individuals, having been guided by the mentor towards the empowering experience of curiosity-driven discovery instead of simply being "given the answer", are subsequently led by their own innate curiosity(and the gentle nudging of the mentor) to discover the natural world for themselves.
Using the subtle Art of Questioning children are led to the edge of their knowledge and awareness, then enticed by a further mystery to grow beyond that edge. With the help of what we call Universal Child Passions, we create a learning environment that is motivated by the natural inclinations of the children themselves. Combining a modern understanding of brain patterning and habit creation with these other more ancient methods of mentoring, the children find themselves immersed in an “invisible school” with the forest as their ”classroom”. The goal of such mentoring is nothing short of helping each individual reach their full potential.
Using the subtle Art of Questioning children are led to the edge of their knowledge and awareness, then enticed by a further mystery to grow beyond that edge. With the help of what we call Universal Child Passions, we create a learning environment that is motivated by the natural inclinations of the children themselves. Combining a modern understanding of brain patterning and habit creation with these other more ancient methods of mentoring, the children find themselves immersed in an “invisible school” with the forest as their ”classroom”. The goal of such mentoring is nothing short of helping each individual reach their full potential.
Core Curriculum:
Our core curriculum is informed and shaped using the 8 Shields design model. Based on the cycles of the natural world, this model accounts for the innate rhythms of individuals and their environment, providing a seeming effortless but remarkably effective trajectory for learning.
Through games, stories and exploration children will learn:
- Outdoor Safety and Awareness
- Animal Tracking
- Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants
- Wilderness Survival Skills
- Bird Language
- Ancient Crafts
- Ecology, Community, Self-Discovery
- and much more
Follow these links to learn more about the 8 Shields Cultural Mentoring Model and the principles of Nature-Connection Mentoring.
Learn about the history of our school and the Nature Connection Movement here.
For more information about any of our programs
and to register your child please contact:
Clint Corley
321-536-5615
wildmentor@gmail.com
Photography by Megan Richardson www.greatsmokiesphotography.com
and to register your child please contact:
Clint Corley
321-536-5615
wildmentor@gmail.com
Photography by Megan Richardson www.greatsmokiesphotography.com
