Forest School Training

Designed to develop leadership, facilitation, and practical skills to understand and implement the principles and ethos of Forest School.

July 20 - 29, 2026, Waldoboro, Maine.

Registration Extended - Open Through June 15, 2026

Presented by MaineECO in partnership with Under The Hazels.


Endorsed by the Forest School Association.

Course Work

Unit 1: Forest School programme delivery (pilot): plan, evaluate and reflect on six pilot sessions; weekly observation of three participants; summative evaluation.

Unit 2: Learning and development: learning theories; holistic development; play; building community; encouraging expected behaviour and reflections on your personal development.

Unit 3: Planning and preparation: the development of Forest School; research on the benefits of Forest School; ecological impact and three-year plan for sustainability; policies and procedures for best practice; benefit risk assessments; the role of the Forest School Leader and the first plan of your ‘introduction to Forest School programme’ (pilot).

Unit 4: Practical skills: knots; knives; drills; saws; shelters and dens; campfire building and campfire cooking; how to clean, store and maintain tools and ropes. These are skills for yourself and how to safely apply them in practice with participants.

Unit 5: Woodland management: comparison of broadleaved and coniferous woodlands; identify flora and fauna on your own Forest School site; sustainable woodland management techniques; research on the importance of nature connection; how to build nature connection.

Most of the evidence for Units 2-5 is completed during the 9-day in-person training and the 7.5 hour online session. Unit 1 (the 6 week pilot program) must be completed AFTER the in-person training.

Full support, practice and templates are provided during the training so you will be confident to complete this independently.

If you already work in a setting with children that has an outdoor space, the training can be finished in 2-3 months after the in-person training. Otherwise, it may take 9 months to a year as you will need to arrange your 6-week pilot program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Participant Testimonials

Forest School Training Featured in Lincoln County News. Read the Full Article.

“Life changing, I learned leadership skills to safely bring children into nature and sustain joy in myself.”

2025 Participant

“Transcendent - an experience you will hold near and dear for the rest of your life. A holistic approach to training that transcends.”

2025 Participant

“I loved this experience. It was exactly what I did not know I needed.”

2025 Participant