Policies and Guidance

Welcome!  We are excited to begin this Forest School Oahu journey with you.  At Forest School Oahu, safety is our number one priority for you and your keiki.  This handbook is your guide to knowing what that means before you arrive and while your keiki is in our care.  All of our programs, events, and camps are held 100% outdoors, making us unique! It does require special attention to gear, food, and other factors that may differ from indoor programs. Ultimately, we are here to educate and support you, so please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions about the information below.

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Mission and Vision

At Forest School Oahu we strengthen the keiki’s relationship with nature, helping families and keiki enjoy learning in nature together. Educational research has demonstrated that time spent in nature increases attention span and improves confidence, resilience, physical well-being and empathy. Keiki who spend more time outdoors and participate in cooperative group activities also tend to have healthier relationships with friends and family.

Our programs include:

• exploring outdoors

• Nature and sensory awareness

• storytelling

• Creative and artistic activities 

• plant identification and foraging

• mentorship

• empowerment 

• adventurous activities

• team building

• hands-on skills

• Oh, and lots of fun and play!

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Non-Discrimination Policy

At Forest School Oahu we are inclusive of all families and individuals in our programs. Forest School Oahu is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in providing service to keiki and their families without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, citizenship, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, genetic identity, citizenship, ancestry, disability, marital status, family structure, veteran status, military service, or any other category protected under applicable law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission into our programs as well as access and treatment during programs and activities.

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Arrival and Departure

Each session has a  limited time in nature and our leaders have other commitments after programs. Please be considerate of the time dedicated to Forest School Oahu programs, events and camps. 

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There is a 15-minute registration window at the start of each program so that you and your keiki have time to get ready for the session. Please also be considerate of our time and arrive promptly to pick up your keiki at the designated end of session time. If your child is picked up 15 minutes later than pickup time, you will be charged $10 per 10 minutes late and the charge will be sent as an invoice. 

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We understand that emergencies do arise. Please inform the team as soon as possible if you know that you will be late for pick up.

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Arrival Procedure

Please walk your child from your car to the designated program drop-off point. This is different for each location, and before the first day of the program, you will receive an email with site-specific information. Ben and Sara will be available to check your keiki in and to make sure that they have all the necessary gear for the day. 

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Departure Procedure

For camps and special events please walk to the designated drop-off/pick-up point to pick up your keiki. We will not allow keiki to walk from the departure location to their car without an adult.  Staff may also take a few minutes to discuss your child’s day. If you are more than 15 minutes past the departure time, we will note the time on the sign-out sheet and you will be billed with an invoice.

All persons who are authorized to pick up must be listed when booking on the website and must present an ID at the time of pickup.  Should an emergency arise where a non-listed person is to pick up your keiki, please contact staff immediately and give them the name and relationship to the keiki of the person who will pick up.  They will also be required to show an ID at the time of pickup.  

 

Curriculum and Philosophy 

At Forest School Oahu we believe that learning in nature is essential to developing key life skills for all keiki to succeed in and out of education. Our programs, events and camps are keiki-centered and, in part, keiki-led.  The curriculum is hands-on and experiential. By taking this approach to learning in nature we support keiki to 

• Be curious and ask questions

• learn about ecosystems

• use their senses to experience the outdoors

• develop empathy and respect for the natural world and their fellow humans

• Be kind, responsible, and generous members of the community

• be adventurous and resilient individuals with the capability to overcome challenges and realize their potential

• Work as a part of a team

• improve well-being and motor skills

• play, build, get dirty, and thoroughly enjoy the outdoors

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Core Routines

Core Routines are activities that are consistently used within our programs, events, and camps. They are based on Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature by Jon Young. The core routines support the development of good behavior for learning, mental and physical well-being, and the development of reflective learners.  Summaries of routines below are taken from Coyote’s Guide pp 35-76.

Some Core Routines are:

Sit Spot - A place where we learn to sit still and develop a connection to the natural world.

Story of the Day - Sharing our highlights from the day, or a story about a particular thing that happened, especially in a group setting, affirms that nature is accessible to everyone. “If Jay was able to catch a frog, then maybe next week I can, too!” For leaders, hearing the Story of the Day helps us to identify edges of comfort zones, where growth is possible, and celebrations, where excitement and growth have happened.

Expanding our Senses - Learning how to more fully use our senses. This is where blindfold games help us to hear better and visual games help us to develop a better sense of detail orientation. Overall we learn to pay attention to more sensory input, more of the time.

Questioning and Tracking - Everything we experience encourages us to think like detectives and each clue reveals a mystery to be solved. Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

Animal Forms - This involves physically, mentally, and emotionally imitating any and all animals in their movements, behaviors and personalities.

Wandering - We wander through the landscape without time, destination, agenda or future purpose. We are present in the moment and go wherever curiosity leads.

Mapping - We teach participants how to orient to the compass directions and perceive the land from a bird’s-eye view. We draw maps to locate features of the land or tell stories that map our explorations.

Journaling - At some point in the beginning of each program, we create journals with our participants. We use these Nature Journals to create a weekly record of our experiences. Each child can make their journal their own, but we encourage them to document each entry with date, location, time and weather. Some children like to draw pictures, some like to use words and some utilize a combination of each. Journaling on a regular basis helps to identify patterns, increase awareness of surroundings, and solidify information remembered.

Exploring Field Guides - Browsing and exploring field guides is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the treasure trove of knowledge that is available. All participants are introduced to explore the basics of field guides. As aptitude and desire to know more about them is expressed, leaders provide more learning opportunities.

Survival Living- Interacting with the natural world around you on a survival basis. This includes making forts (shelters), learning how to find water, food, what can be used for medicine, tools, and art.

Mind’s Eye Imagining  - We help children learn how to use and strengthen their imagination as much as possible, incorporating images in your mind gathered from the experience of all five senses.

Thanksgiving/Gratitude- We start each day with sharing gratitude and thanksgiving. This helps to bring our hearts and minds together.

Each of these Core Routines explores teachable skills through activities, games and “letting kids be kids”. They ask that we become curious about the world around us, learn how to see more of that world, and learn how to learn about things we do not know.

 

Wildcrafting

One of the ways we explore the outdoors is through developing a different relationship with plants. This can be learning to identify them, learning which ones are safe to eat and the medicinal uses of local plants. We have strict agreements and guidelines that we follow with the children to ensure that they do not pick or eat anything that can make them sick.

Our plant agreement is as follows:

• No Picking (do not pick any plants to show a leader if it is a plant we have learned about; bring the leader to the plant).

• No Licking (do not put anything in your mouth without permission from a responsible adult)

• Do not eat or pick anything we learned about at the program at any time without adult permission.

If your keiki introduces you to a plant outside of the program, you as the parent must properly identify the plant before harvesting or ingesting.

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Learners will first be introduced to the basics of botany and plant identification through easy to identify plants that are safe (non-toxic with no poisonous lookalikes). Safe ways to harvest or pick a plant so that we are not damaging native plant populations will be discussed. Learners are encouraged to show gratitude for what they harvest and appreciation for life whenever picking/harvesting/using a living plant. Due to the precious nature of Oahu’s unique ecosystem picking/harvesting and using a living plant is only allowed as a part of Forest School Oahu’s programs with express permission from the staff of both venue and school.

Recommended reading for learning about plants, botany and wildcrafting at home are:

Botany in a Day by Thomas Elpel

Forager’s Harvest by Samual Thayer

Edible and Medicinal Plants by Steve Brill

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Snack   

Please pack a snack for each session.  Please include a reusable cloth napkin a plastic bag for garbage as needed and appropriate utensils.

Snacks should be a fruit, vegetable, or protein that can be eaten relatively quickly, and without a lot of mess. 

Snack considerations:

-Yogurt or fruit cups can be messy especially if the child does not finish the item. We also cannot pour juice from a fruit cup out. Consider yoghurt in a sealable container (as opposed to a foil-top cup) and cut fruit in a sealed container.

-If you pack granola or snack bars, please make sure they do not contain chocolate or frosting.

Please do not send any desserts, cookies, chocolate, or other sugary items for snacks. If a leader notices these items in a child’s snack or lunch, they will be asked to put them away.

We do not allow food sharing, except between siblings, in order to limit allergic reactions. Please note that certain foods may not be allowed.

All students must bring an age-appropriate water bottle that is filled with enough water to get through the entire program. We can also refill water bottles as needed. Please do not pack any beverages other than water or electrolyte packets to supplement. It’s important for children to stay hydrated and drinking water is the best way to do so.

 

Birthday Celebrations

At Forest School Oahu we love to celebrate birthdays and can make your keiki’s special day one to remember. We celebrate with a special nature-themed birthday song and create a variety of fun nature-themed activities to help you and your family enjoy those precious moments together. If you're interested in finding out more about our Birthday parties please email us at info@forestschooloahu.com

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Toileting and Clothing Changes

It is the parent's responsibility support keiki in the process of regular changes, and we recommend bringing fold up changing mat. Additionally, parents will need to help keiki with infrequent accidents/changes; we recommend pull-up type training pants or shorts. We also recommend that if your keiki is still new to toilet-training they should be dressed in “user-friendly” clothing such as pants or dresses with elastic waists. Accidents are a part of life but because of health regulations, we cannot wash out soiled clothes. Soiled clothing must be tightly bagged (parents are to supply) and go home with the child for laundering. Gentle reminders will be given throughout the morning as well.

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Gear List

OVERVIEW

We operate in most types of weather, so your keiki need to be prepared. Gear is important for your Keiki’s experience, so please prepare thoroughly. It is helpful if you have clothes that are designated just for forest school. Please make sure that the clothes your children wear can get wet, dirty, and/or ripped. Program Leaders leaders are not responsible for stained or damaged items. Let us know if you have any questions.

Please bring reef-friendly sunscreen for regular application and keiki-friendly bug repellent. Staff members will not apply or supply either sunscreen or insect repellent to participants. 

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If a keiki comes ill-prepared for the weather, we will do our best with what we have to dress them appropriately. Safety is our number one priority, so if it is not possible, they will be sent home.

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WHAT NOT TO BRING FOR ALL PROGRAMS/EVENTS/CAMPS:

Toys - they can be distracting for your child and others.

Knives or other weapons (including toy weapons)

Drinks other than water

Candy

Umbrellas or Ponchos - Instead, bring a suitable raincoat and hat. Please consider what footwear will be best suited for the weather.

Electronics -Please do not send digital cameras, phones, or other electronics. Watches are ok, but no smartwatches.

Things you don’t want to get wet or dirty - Everything that is brought to Forest School has the potential to get wet, dirty, or otherwise damaged.

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Hygiene and Preventative Measures

Forest School Oahu practices the following health and hygiene practices on an ongoing, regular basis:

• Frequent hand-washing - both indoors with running water and at our hand-washing stations (Cleaning and sanitation of some materials used in the program

• Maintenance of safe facilities

• Keeping non-child supplies out of children’s reach (i.e. bug spray, sunscreen, cleaning supplies)

 

Illness & Injury Policy

If a keiki should become ill or severely injured during the program/camp/event, the parent/guardian(s) on file will be contacted in order to pick them up.  If that person is not reachable, the emergency contact(s) supplied when booking will be contacted.

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General Illness

If a keiki has one of the following symptoms then please do not attend. If a keiki should develop one of the below symptoms they will be required to return home.

• Fever (100.4° or higher)

• Persistent cough

• Shortness of breath

• Signs of a serious or contagious illness include:

  • Diarrhea

  • Vomiting

  • Unexplained rash

• Scabies

• Head lice

• Excessive mucus/nasal discharge that is constant and/or is discolored

• Extreme lethargy which prevents the child from participating in class

 

In order to return to the program, the keiki will need to be symptom-free without the use of medication for 24 hours. This will help prevent the spread of illness to others in the program, as well as give your keiki a chance to get better.  Through these efforts, we will be working together to help keep your child and the children in the program safe and healthy.

 

Injury

Due to the nature of our program and the activity level of the children, minor bumps, bruises, and scrapes are to be expected.  We will contact the parent/guardian on file for any severe injury that cannot be effectively treated on-site by administering first aid and that will require medical attention. These types of injuries include but are not limited to, broken bones, deep lacerations, and any injury that prohibits the keiki from carrying on normal activity.  These occurrences are rare but can happen. Our leaders are prepared to effectively and safely handle these types of situations.

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If your keiki misses a program or camp due to illness or injury, we are unable to offer a refund.

 

Absences and Cancellations

Absence Policy for Camps: If a keiki misses a day due to illness (including suspected or diagnosed COVID-19), travel, injury, or other circumstances, the parent is still responsible for full payment of tuition, as missed days are non-refundable. Last-minute absences or late arrivals should be relayed via text message directly to a program leader. Due to the nature of our programs, we wait for all participants to arrive before beginning our session/day. For this reason, it is necessary for leaders to be informed of absences and late arrivals.

 

Withdrawal for camps: Parents must give a 30-day notice via email to info@forestschooloahu.com of change in enrollment schedule or withdrawal from Forest School Ohau. The parent further agrees that the withdrawal or dismissal of the keiki after the execution of this agreement, whether as a result of accident, transfer, sickness or otherwise does not relieve the parent of the responsibility for payment of tuition for that session/camp/event/30-day period. 

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Epidemic/COVID-19 Cancellations:  If programs are cancelled due to epidemic-related events, Forest School Oahu is not liable for a refund.

 

Weather Events: Forest School Oahu programs and camps operate in most types of weather. Exceptions include extreme weather events such as hurricanes, high risk of tsunami, or flooding. If a parent chooses to withhold their child from a program due to weather on a day that Forest School Oahu is still operating, Forest School Oahu is not liable for a refund. It is at the full discretion of the leaders whether or not a program will be cancelled for the day. If programs are cancelled due to extreme weather events, Forest School Oahu is not liable for a refund.  

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Safety Protocols and Resources

The first and number one priority at Forest School Oahu is safety.  Program leaders carry current first aid and CPR certifications.

Safe practices are achieved through educating the participants in our program about the world around them, following safety protocols, and continually educating ourselves on best practices and preparedness.

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Daily and Routine Site Risk Assessments

Leaders will undertake a dynamic and documented risk assessment of the venue where our classes take place in order to help ensure a safe space.  This means they will take a walk in the places the class will venture to and ensure there are no new major safety hazards.  If any new hazards are discovered, this assessment will allow the leader to either remove the hazard (i.e. cut back a thorny vine on the path) or create an alternate plan (e.g. instead of taking path A, we will take path B because there is a newly fallen tree blocking path A).

 

Emergency Response Plan 

Forest School Oahu has a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan which can be viewed here and is reviewed at the end of the program, event, or camp.  The plan outlines the proper protocol for various emergencies.  Each Forest School Oahu site has a site-specific information sheet with the location address, contact information, and nearest hospitals.  

The site-specific information sheet complements the Forest School Oahu Emergency Response Plan.

 

Behavior and Guidance

Forest School Oahu operates a positive-first behavior management policy it encourages positive behavior through role modelling, stories, redirection, dialogue, and restorative approaches. This approach aims to teach participants to express emotions, resolve conflicts, and communicate peacefully and effectively. All participants are expected to act with respect, be ready to take part, and act in a safe way. This includes parents and caregivers. 

 

We support keiki to develop skills for navigating conflict and problem-solving. Age-appropriate conflict management skills are taught and used in all programs. This means that sometimes we don’t interfere when children appear to be in conflict. We give them space to navigate it by themselves before reflecting with the parties.

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All staff members monitor conflicts and are ready to step in when deemed necessary or when students ask for their support. If a leader steps in, it would be to help facilitate dialogue between students.

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The tools used by leaders are redirection, positive words, and role-modeling. These tools help children learn how to regulate their emotions and learn from the way they choose to act, while still protecting their self-esteem and overall feeling of security. Some examples of behaviors that do not meet the expectation of Ready, Respect, and Safe that may require guidance include but are not limited to, not following staff requests when they’re given (particularly for safety-related topics), using hurtful words towards others or self, and using hands to express feelings (hitting, pushing, etc).

 

Staff at Forest School Oahu are mindful of how they interact with keiki at all times.  Staff do not shout at keiki or otherwise act in a way that could be understood as emotionally or physically abusive. If a keiki is not meeting the expectations of behavior, staff will support them to shift their behavior through one one-on-one dialogue and/or space from the group until they feel they can participate again in an appropriate way. The exception to this rule is participants who are acting in a way that is out of our care and control or harmful to themselves or others. In this case, the parent will be called and the student offered a fresh start day if appropriate, or asked not to return to the program for an agreed-upon period of time. 

In the event of repeated behaviors without progress towards meeting the expectations of Ready, Respect and Safe,  a conversation with the parents will need to take place.  Repeated behaviors will be documented and observations, interactions, and any patterns noticed discussed in the follow-up conversation with the parent. This helps families and Forest School Oahu work as a team around the keiki to create a plan that guides the keiki in an effective way, in the best interest of the keiki and in line with our joint values. If behavioral challenges can not be resolved, the keiki may not be able to continue attending programs.

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Parent Involvement

Parents and caregivers of our keiki are encouraged to take part in all activities 

While you are with us, please:

Participate fully with our activities

Do not use cell phones unless absolutely necessary 

Come dressed appropriately for being outside (similar to how your Keiki is dressed) and with your own snack and water

 

Parent Teacher Conferences

Keiki participating in long-term programs or Forest School may choose to request an in-person conference with the relevant program leader. This will be an opportunity for parents and leaders to discuss the child’s progress. 

 

Conclusion

We appreciate you taking the time to read through the parent handbook. Please use it throughout the year as a reference for any questions that may arise. Should you have any questions or concerns not covered in the handbook, please contact us directly. 

 

We are looking forward to a great year with you and your families!