Back to the Wild Enroll

Margaretsville, NS

Childhood under spruce and open sky.

Outdoor, play-rich learning for children ages 3–12 in the Acadian Forest. Every season, nearly every weather, with small groups and caring leaders.

See programs Meet our team Parent handbook Coming soon
Children and an educator sitting on log benches around a morning campfire at the forest edge
Mornings at the fire circle
Climbing, building and exploring
Climbing, building and exploring
Nature journaling under the maples
Nature journaling under the maples
Shore days on the Bay of Fundy
Shore days on the Bay of Fundy
Snow days in the spruce
Snow days in the spruce

Our approach

The forest is the classroom, the children find the wonder.

We meet at the fire circle each morning, then it's off for an adventurous day of climbing, building, playing, asking and exploring. The beauty of our routine protects abundant time for free, risky play and student-led interests.

Our program offers a learning edge through nature journaling, music, stories, crafts, survival skills, plant and animal knowledge, and hands-on science and geography.

Whether home or traditionally schooled, a day in the forest a week can have a lasting impact.

Child-led play

Open-ended time to explore, build, and imagine with adults alongside rather than in front.

Supported risk

Tools, fire and trees are part of the day, introduced step by step with clear boundaries.

Rooted in place

We build strong ties with our homeland by learning its wildlife, plants and terrain.

Programs 2027

Register now

Children grow through three groups as they get older, each with more independence, tools and adventure. Fees are in Canadian dollars.

AGES 3–6

Chickadees

Our youngest explorers. Gentle days of play, songs, stories by the fire and first discoveries in the woods.

Days
To be announced
Hours
To be announced
Fee
To be announced
AGES 7–9

Otters

Curious builders and trackers. Shelters, knots, whittling, nature journaling and longer adventures.

Days
To be announced
Hours
To be announced
Fee
To be announced
AGES 10–12

Porcupines

Confident and capable. Survival skills, fire-craft, map and compass, projects the children plan and lead.

Days
To be announced
Hours
To be announced
Fee
To be announced

Tuition Assistance

We want every child to have a place in the forest. A limited number of assisted spaces are available each year.

Inquire about tuition assistance

Meet our team

The people in the woods with your child

Jennifer Stapleton

Jennifer Stapleton

Director / Facilitator

A few lines about Jennifer: her background, training, and what she loves most about a day in the forest.

Testimonials

"She comes home tired, muddy and full of stories about the beaver dam. She can't wait to go back."
Parent, Chickadees (sample testimonial, replace with your own)

Contact us

Come spend a morning in the woods with us

Visit days run on the first Saturday of each month. Tell us a little about your child and we'll be in touch within two working days.

Emailbacktothewildfs@gmail.com
Phone604-740-7601
Meeting placeFire circle, Margaretsville, NS