Homeschool Programs Overview
Carefully crafted since 2011, our programs provide a progressive learning journey and comprehensive foundation in deeply relating to the natural world.
Jump to programs for ages 6-8, 9-12, and 10-16. Fall 2023 programs are now open for registration – with the exception of Blacksmithing as we finalize our instructor lineup.
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.
What’s new for Fall 2023? We’re sticking with the shifted age brackets we implemented in Spring. And we’re rotating back in some of most popular programs – Nature’s Kitchen, Archer’s Arena, and Secrets of the Jedi.
We expect to run Blacksmithing several days a week, but do need to finalize our instructor lineup before opening registration.
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 6-8
MONDAY
Ages 6-8
Mountain Mondays
September 11 – December 11, 2023
Registration is now open.
Experience the slow fade of the summer heat and watch the forest change colors with our nature connection mentors. We’ll explore, play games, learn skills and connect.
TUESDAY
Ages 6-8
Secrets of the Jedi: Wild Younglings
September 5 – December 12, 2023
Only 3 Spots Remain
Deepen connection to nature and grow attuned to its life force, while honing the physical skills of survival.
WEDNESDAY
Ages 6-8
Heartwood: Acorns
September 6 – December 13
Full – Wait-List Now
Our core nature-connection curriculum offers a progressive learning journey with games, stories, and exploration in the natural world.
THURSDAY
Ages 6-8
Nature’s Kitchen: Fire Craft & Cooking
September 7 – December 14, 2023
Registration is now open.
Hunt down wild edibles and learn which are safe to eat. Also includes: fire building, teamwork, water purification, and crafting delicious meals.
FRIDAY
Ages 6-8
Forest Fridays
September 8 – December 15, 2023
Only 2 Spots Remain
Time to turn away from the screens and walk out into the magical forest for a day of guided nature connection with our experienced mentors.
Ages 9-12
MONDAY
Ages 9-12
Mountain Mondays
September 11 – December 11, 2023
Registration is now open.
Bathe in the colors of the turning leaves and soak up the sun before the days shorten. We explore our core curriculum in a flexible format.
TUESDAY
Ages 9-12
Secrets of the Jedi: Young Padowans
September 5 – December 12, 2023
Only 1 Spot Remains
Deepen connection to nature and grow attuned to its life force, while honing the physical skills of survival.
WEDNESDAY
Ages 9-12
Heartwood: Saplings
September 6 – December 13, 2023
Full – Wait-List Now
Our core nature-connection curriculum offers a progressive learning journey with games, stories, and exploration in the natural world.
THURSDAY
Ages 9-12
Archer’s Arena: Forest Protectors
September 7 – December 14, 2023
Only 3 Spots Remain
Play epicly fun games with foam-tipped arrows, learning about archery with some additional foraging, crafts, camouflage and more.
FRIDAY
Ages 9-12
Forest Fridays
September 8 – December 15, 2023
Only 1 Spot Remains
Time to turn away from the screens and walk out into the magical forest for a day of guided nature connection with our experienced mentors.
Ages 10-14 & 12-16
TUESDAY
Ages 12-16
Intermediate Blacksmithing
September 5 – December 12
Full – Wait-List Now
Students build on their foundational knowledge and take their Blacksmithing skills to the next level with more advanced smithing techniques. Prerequite applies.
WEDNESDAY
Ages 10-14, by invitation
Heartwood: Oaks
September 6 – December 13, 2023
Registration is now open.
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.
THURSDAY
Ages 12-16
Blacksmithing Fundamentals
September 7 – December 14, 2023
Only 2 Spots Remain
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.
THURSDAY
Ages 12-16
Blacksmithing Independent Study
September 7 – December 14, 2023
Only 2 Spots Remain
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.
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 onsite programming or van transportation to Shope Creek. Address: 315 Old Haw Creek Road.
Parents may also drop-off and pick-up at Shope Creek Wilderness for all programs except Blacksmithing and Oaks. 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 FIRST please register for the program/camp, choose the payment plan option, and only pay a $100 deposit at time of registration.
AFTER RESERVING A SPOT, please follow the link below to fill out the application.
If your scholarship request can't be approved or isn't the amount of discount that you need, we will provide a full refund of the deposit.
COVID Safety Policies
Homeschool 2023
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:
- As of Fall 2022, we will no longer require masks to be worn on our shuttle vans transporting students
- 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.