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FOREST PROGRAMS

Join us seasonally at Lions Camp and Lake Wilderness
Arboretum in Maple Valley
, WA!   We offer a variety of
forest programs for kids ages 5-12 in King County, WA.

“Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives.” ~Thomas Berry

If you

  • Thrive in an environment of movement and interaction

  • Regard nature as our greatest teacher

  • Value stewardship and community involvement 

  • Appreciate the unique gifts each child can contribute

  • Hope to build meaningful connections with peers

Join us at Ashlar's Forest Programs!

Our all-outdoor Forest Programs are perfect for children who thrive in settings where they can keep their bodies active and experience the fresh air as it moves through the trees.

 

For preschoolers, morning meetings take place in a stump circle, number and social skills are both honed as children gather sticks and pinecones to build a home for a fuzzy caterpillar friend, and literary concepts develop on our Story Walks through the Arboretum.

 

For homeschoolers, creative problem-solving skills flourish as children naturally move about, balancing on a log, dipping their toes into the river, racing across the ball field, or huddling together around a story or craft in the picnic pavilion at Lions Camp. Mentors provide interest-based activity invitations, which allow peer connections to form and give access to knowledge and skills pertaining to the natural wonders that surround us when we leave the walls of a traditional classroom behind. Part of this learning involves caring for the earth and all of its inhabitants, valuing the diversity that each plant, animal, and child brings to our program and our world.

Forest Programs Anchor
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Wilderness Whimsy

Fall and Spring Outdoor Preschool

for Ages 3-6

  • Mon, Tues 9am-11:30p

  • Runs from Sept, Oct, Apr, and May 2023

  • Lake Wilderness Arboretum in Maple Valley

  • 10 children and 2 Mentors

  • Monthly tuition: $280

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Friends of the Forest

Fall and Spring Outdoor

Homeschool Enrichment

for Ages 5-12

​​​​

  • Mon, Tues 12:30-4:30pm

  • Runs Fall (Sept-Oct) and Spring (Apr-May)

  • Lions Camp, Maple Valley, WA

  • 15 children and 3 Mentors 

  • Monthly tuition: $410

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Wilderness Winter

Winter Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment

DROP-IN for Ages 5-12

  • Mon, Tues 12:30-3:30pm

  • Runs from Nov-Mar 2023

  • Lake Wilderness Arboretum in Maple Valley

  • 15 children and 3 Mentors

  • Daily tuition: $40

Check out our other programs below:

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Farm Programs

Indoor/outdoor homeschool enrichment programs

for ages 5-12 

Weds, Thurs, Fri 12:30-4:30pm in Maple Valley, WA

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NoonTides

Garden-to-table lunch program

for ages 3-12

Extend your program one hour

Your choice of day 

12-1pm in Enumclaw, WA

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Nature-Based

Academic Programs

Homeschool academic enrichment programs

for ages 5-14 

Daily options 1-4pm in Enumclaw, WA

Not sure what will fit your schedule?
Explore classes by time and day below:

Monday
 

9:00-11:30am (3-6yo)

@LWA

Wilderness Whimsy

(Fall and Spring)

12:00-1:00pm (3-12yo)

@B&T

NoonTides farm to table lunch program

12:30-4:30p*

@LC/LWA

(5-12yo)

 

Friends of

the Forest*

1:00-4:00pm

@B&T

(5-14yo)

Academic

(Student Gov't)

Tuesday
 

9:00-11:30am (3-6yo)

@LWA

Wilderness Whimsy

(Fall and Spring)

12:00-1:00pm (3-12yo)

@B&T

NoonTides farm to table lunch program

12:30-4:30p*

@LC/LWA

(5-12yo)

 

Friends of

the Forest*

1:00-4:00pm

@B&T

(5-14yo)

Academic

(World Culture)

Wednesday
 

12:00-1:00pm (3-12yo)

@B&T

NoonTides farm to table lunch program

1:00-4:00pm

@B&T

(5-14yo)

Academic

(Drama/Literature)

Thursday
 

12:00-1:00pm (3-12yo)

@B&T

NoonTides farm to table lunch program

1:00-4:00pm

@B&T

(5-14yo)

Academic

(STEM)

Friday
 

12:00-1:00pm (3-12yo)

@B&T

NoonTides farm to table lunch program

1:00-4:00pm

@B&T

(3-12yo)

Farmers in Training

*Friends of the Forest is a Fall/Spring program at Lions Camp, which moves to Lake Wilderness Arboretum in the winter as Wilderness Winter Drop-In Program.

Still not sure which program is right for you?

Let us know and we'll be happy to help!

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