Homeschool Programs Overview
Carefully crafted since 2011, our programs provide a progressive learning journey and comprehensive foundation in deeply relating to the natural world.
Through games, stories, and exploration children learn about: Outdoor safety and awareness, animal tracking, edible and medicinal wild plants, wilderness survival skills, bird language, ancient crafts, ecology, community, self-discovery, storytelling, singing, fire, and much, much more.
Fall Programs are starting in just a few months, and with limited space they usually fill fast. What’s new for Fall 2021? Teen Adventures & Blacksmithing are back, and we have four all-new programs.
2021 Fall Homeschool Programs are now open for registration! See below….
Why Choose Forest Floor?
We help children have fun, be healthy, and achieve their fullest potential with nature connection mentoring.
- Health benefits of nature connection
- Learn wilderness skills & traditional crafts
- Meet new friends and reunite with old ones
- Unforgettable adventures every day
- Skilled and caring mentors
- Exciting wilderness experiences
- Convenient in-town drop-off & pickup
- Boost long term cognitive & social development
Ages 5-7
TUESDAY
Ages 5-7
Little Artisans
September 7 – December 14, 2021.
Spots available: 5
Children harvest natural materials and learn to make useful and beautiful things, in a mix of crafting, games and connecting with nature in the forest.
WEDNESDAY
Ages 5-7
Heartwood: Acorns
September 8 – December 15, 2021.
Full with a waitlist
Our core nature-connection curriculum offers a progressive learning journey with games, stories, and exploration in the natural world.
THURSDAY
Ages 5-7
Faeries & Dragons
September 9 – December 16, 2021.
Spots available: 8
The kids make their home in the Enchanted Forest, hunting for the elusive Dragon Portal, on an exciting adventure filled with exploration and learning.
Ages 6-10
FRIDAY
Ages 6-10
Forest Fridays
September 10 – December 17, 2021.
Full with a waitlist, 2nd session being added
See the forest life sprouting and creeping forth after a long winter’s sleep. Experience the magic of spring as we explore, play, learn, and connect with nature & community.
Ages 8-12
TUESDAY
Ages 8-12
Wild Crafters
September 7 – December 14, 2021.
Spots available: 2
Children answer the ancient call to create learning natural crafts while connecting with the earth and engaging in nature games and activities in the forest.
WEDNESDAY
Ages 8-12
Heartwood: Saplings
September 8 – December 15, 2021.
Full with a waitlist
Our core nature-connection curriculum offers a progressive learning journey with games, stories, and exploration in the natural world.
THURSDAY
Ages 8-12
Wizards & Warriors
September 9 – December 16, 2021.
Spots available: 4
Nature connection meets role-playing, as our recruits develop their mental & physical skills to overcome mischievous Elves and troublesome Trolls.
Ages 10-14 & 12-16
TUESDAY
Ages 12-16
Blacksmithing
September 7 – December 14, 2021.
Spots available: 5
Create useful tools by heating metal in the forge and shaping it on the anvil. Students will come home with beautiful and useful handmade items created using many techniques.
WEDNESDAY
Ages 10-14, by invitation
Heartwood: Oaks
September 8 – December 15, 2021.
Spots available: 4
Our core nature-connection curriculum, Oaks provides an opportunity for long-time students to continue challenging themselves in a group of peers who share their ability & passion.
FRIDAY
Ages 12-16
Friday Teen Adventures
September 10 – December 17, 2021.
Spots available: 7
Answer the call of the wild with a new and epic adventure in a new location each week. Fish for trout wading in the river, hike to astounding views, and discover the world. With an optional overnight camping weekend.
In-town Location
We are no longer at the Asheville School in West Asheville.
Our new location since 2020 is Haw Creek Commons, in Asheville off Tunnel Road.
Haw Creek Commons is a community co-work and activity center where Forest Floor has a presence. See the location on Google Maps.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up
All programs may drop-off and pick-up at Haw Creek Commons for van transportation. Address: 315 Old Haw Creek Road.
Parents may also drop-off and pick-up at Shope Creek Wilderness — except for Blacksmithing and Teen Adventures which are based out of Haw Creek Commons. Address: 472 Shope Creek Road.
Scholarship Information
Overview
We offer limited partial scholarships to individuals who otherwise could not afford our programs. We prioritize scholarships for people of color and single parents with financial needs. We understand that people of color experience more financial and institutional barriers to participation, and wish to help counteract that by offering scholarships.
Donate
If you are a family with means, please consider donating to our scholarship fund. Donations of a 1/4, 1/2, or FULL scholarship can be made during the standard registration process. For more substantial donations please contact us to discuss details.
Apply
Limited partial scholarships are available. Scholarship funds are generated exclusively from generosity of donations toward the scholarship fund. Scholarships are limited to the sum of these funds and are awarded based on equitable distribution. Full scholarships will be considered for families in great need, but most scholarship applicants should expect to pay at least half of tuition.
To apply for a scholarship please follow the link below to fill out the application.
COVID Safety Policies
Fall Homeschool 2021
Our COVID-19 safety policy is based primarily on pre-screening and monitoring. It is our current position that the single largest preventative factor at our programs is the fact that we are open-air and outdoors.
Pre-Screening and Monitoring
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Any child arriving in the morning with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to attend programs that day. If during the program day a child displays signs or symptoms of illness they will be separated from other students and parents contacted to pick them up.
- All staff will be self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19. If they develop symptoms, they will notify their supervisor and stay home. Any staff person who develops symptoms of illness during the work day will be separated from students and other staff and sent home ASAP.
Masks:
- While in our shuttle vans all students and staff are required to wear masks for the duration of the trip.
- Children and staff will not be required to wear masks, but will be fully supported if they choose to do so.
We will do our best to fully support any child or staff who self-selects for more restrictive social distancing or mask wearing than the policies outlined above.