Our Program Offerings for the 2022-2023 School Year Include:
~Farm Programs and Nature-Based Academic Programs
at Bee & Thistle Farm in Enumclaw.
~Forest Programs
at Lions Camp & The Arboretum in Maple Valley.
Please scroll to see all program offerings.
Farm Programs
at Bee & Thistle
28016 SE 440th St
Enumclaw, WA
98022
Located in the heart of Enumclaw, our Farm Programs at Bee & Thistle serve families from Enumclaw, Bonney Lake, Buckley, Auburn, Maple Valley, Covington, Kent, and beyond.
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Children who attend these programs can expect to spend at least 50% of their time outdoors, on an enjoyable, 5-acre farm. All of our animals are petting-zoo-friendly, and adore our company perhaps as much as we do theirs! The other 50% of your child's time will be spent in our barn studio, complete with areas for project work, a large play room, a cozy cooking-class kitchen with woodstove, and 2 finished bathrooms. Ratios are typically 1:6, with 1 mentor specifically assigned to each cohort, and up to 3 cohorts operating side-by side, for a maximum of 18 children at the farm at one time. Farm Programs run the length of the school year.
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In the 2022-2023 school year, for Farm-Time Friendships:
Third Thursdays: a music specialist and art specialist will visit on the third Thursday of each month, except December and June when we have winter celebrations and graduation.
Fourth Fridays: field trips or guest speakers (alternating) will be scheduled on the fourth Friday of each month, except December and June when we have winter celebrations and graduation. In November, this will be moved to the third Friday.
Snacks are included, and will implement a garden-based curriculum that imparts farm-to-table wisdom and enjoyment.
Farm-Time Friendships
Wed, Thu, Fri Mornings
Ages 3-12
9:00am - 12:30pm
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Sept - June
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Monthly Tuition: $550
Felicity: A cohort lead by Ms. Haley, for ages 3-5​
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Flutter: A cohort lead by Ms. Bindi, for ages 6-8
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Frolic: A cohort lead by Ms. Erica, for ages 9-12
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These 3 cohorts will each spend some time separately engaging in age-specific conversations and activities, with their dedicated Mentors. They will also spend plenty of time merged together, as one large, multi-age group.
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This program focuses on a different farm animal each month, and Questers have the opportunity to learn to care for the plants and animals on the farm. There is time for unstructured play with peers. Garden-based snacks are provided. Programs are enriched with music and art specialists, as well as guest speakers or field trips once per month. Additional child-lead, experiential activities provide opportunities to explore interests and build skills across a variety of areas. Ratios are 1:6, with a maximum of 18 Farm-Time Friends enrolled.
Farmers in Training
Friday​
Afternoons
Ages 4-13
1:00-4:00pm
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Sept - June
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Monthly Tuition: $130
Earthworms: A cohort lead by Ms. Haley for ages 4-8
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Mantises: A cohort for ages 9-13
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This is a program specifically designed for Questers who want to focus one afternoon per week on learning the workings of a farm. There will be specialized instruction regarding plant and animal care, as well as other farm duties. Cohorts may split apart at times, or work together, depending on the specific activities involved. Children will have some time each week for unstructured interactions with their fellow Farmers in Training. Snacks will be served, and will incorporate garden to table experiences. Ratios are 1:6, with a maximum of 12 Farmers in Training enrolled.
Metz Meadows ~ Auburn
Forest Programs
at Lions Camp & Lake Wilderness Arboretum
Lions Camp
21230 SE 184th St, Maple Valley, WA 98038
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The Arboretum
22520 SE 248th St, Maple Valley, WA 98038
Our Forest Programs take place at Lions Camp along a serene stretch of the Cedar River, and at The Arboretum's magical play garden at Lake Wilderness Park, in the heart of Maple Valley.
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Children in these programs will spend 100% of their time outdoors, rain or shine, on open acres of forest and park, with ample opportunities for guided exploration in nature, along with deliberate breaks for unstructured (but still closely supervised) play, and options for sheltered activities throughout. Ratios are typically 1:4, with at least 2 mentors present in each group. Snacks are included each day, and will implement a garden-based curriculum that imparts farm-to-table wisdom and enjoyment.
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We have a variety of Forest Programs, which serve both homeschoolers and preschoolers.
Metz Meadows ~ Auburn
Wilderness Whimsy
An Early Childhood Adventure
(outdoor preschool)
Mon & Tue
Mornings
Ages 3-6
9-11:30am
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Lake Wilderness
Arboretum
Sept - June
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Monthly Tuition: $244
This 100% outdoor program provides two mornings per week of exploration, wonder, and friendship in the magical setting of The Arboretum's play garden in Lake Wilderness Park. The curriculum is play-based and child-lead. Questers will have the opportunity to learn about their unique selves, and how they can contribute to a community. Their passions will be honored and their curiosities will be encouraged.
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This program has a 1:4 ratio, with a maximum of 8 children enrolled.
A garden-based snack is provided.
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Metz Meadows ~ Auburn
Friends of the Forest
Sessions for Homeschoolers
Mon & Tue
Afternoons
Ages 4 - 12
12:30-4:30
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Fall Camp Session
Sept - Oct
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Winter at Lake Wilderness
Jan - Feb
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Spring Camp Session
April - June
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Monthly Tuition: $340
Sunrays: a cohort, lead by Ms. Amanda, for ages 4-6
Swallowtails: a cohort, lead by Ms. Erica, for ages 7-9
Starlings: a cohort, lead by Ms. Janet, for ages 10-12
Friends of the Forest consists of 3 seasonal afternoon sessions for homeschoolers: Fall Session at Lions Camp, Winter Session at The Arboretum at Lake Wilderness, and Spring Session at Lions Camp. Tuition is paid only for the 7 months in which program sessions occur (September, October, January, February, April, May and June).
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In addition to having ample time to connect with nature and explore the great outdoors with their peers, Questers will learn wilderness skills, plant and animal identification, environmental care, and more. Ratios are 1:4. Cohorts will sometimes split off to engage in more age-specific activities.
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Garden-based snacks are provided.
Metz Meadows ~ Auburn
Nature Based Academic Programs
at Bee & Thistle Farm in Enumclaw
28016 SE 440th St
Enumclaw, WA
98022
Our all new, Nature-Based Academic Enrichment Programs for homeschoolers will be hosted at Bee & Thistle Farm, in Enumclaw
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The Barn, with its cozy cooking-class style kitchen, offers indoor space that is perfect for learning activities that are not weather-tolerant. During each program, children enjoy structured outdoor time with peers on the charming farm, with opportunities to visit the friendly animals. Combined, this indoor/outdoor setting is simply a magical place to learn.
Metz Meadows ~ Auburn
Academic Blocks for Grades K-8
Select Afternoons
12:00-4:00
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Sept - June
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Monthly Tuition: $215
scholarships available
Register by the day. Each day includes enrichment opportunities in the following subjects, along with opportunities to enjoy unstructured outdoor time with peers, which includes time with Bee & Thistle's friendly farm animals. Garden-based lunch and a snack are provides.
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Mondays
Musical & Art Exploration
For the musical portion of this class, Questers will have the opportunity to learn a bit of music theory (or improve upon their existing knowledge), begin to play a musical instrument (or practice existing skills), and perform for their families at the end of the year.
The art enrichment will include aspects of art technique, as well as art history and art appreciation. Questers will be encouraged to explore their creativity, and express themselves uniquely, while an instructor offers guidance and invites them to participate in specific projects as they learn.
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Tuesdays
Hands on History & Foreign Language Lab
Questers will engage in fun learning projects while learning history! Much of the year will be devoted to US History & Geography, ending with a learning unit that dives into Washington state history.
The foreign language lab will be learning (or practicing) German. Those who are new to German, as well as those who have some experience speaking and/or hearing and/or reading it, are all welcome.
Wednesdays
Once Upon A Wednesday (Drama, Literature & Creative Writing)
Questers will spend part of these creative afternoons exploring and appreciating literary works, will have the opportunity to expand on their creative writing abilities, and will work on their theater skills. The final class project for the year will be a class play, performed by the children for their families.
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Thursdays
STEM Day
These afternoons will be spent exploring, discovering, and creating, all during exciting project-based learning invitations that involve Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Some days may incorporate all 4 aspects of STEM, and other days will focus more on one or two of them. Overall, Questers will journey together to a deeper understanding of our amazing world, while learning and creating new ways to engage with it.
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Scholarships
At Ashlar, we believe that all families should have access to our programs regardless of income. We are now able to offer financial assistance for our Nature-Based Academic programs, at a rate of $185/month for those families who need it. Please contact us to inquire about this rate. We also believe in the power of our community to support one another. If you would like to contribute an additional monthly amount to support our financial assistance program, there is an option to do so when you click the link below to register.
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