A NEW two-week option at the Batiquitos Lagoon for students ages 7 - 10, Forest Quest is a summer experience designed for curious, capable kids who are ready to dive deeper into the wild world around them.
This session balances hands-on exploration with structured academic skill-building woven seamlessly into real-world experiences. Students expand their thinking through long-form inquiry, collaborative problem-solving, and advanced project work in nature. Each week is filled with trail-based discovery, team-building challenges, wilderness skills, nature journaling, creative construction, and collaborative problem-solving games. Our wild explorers might build shelters, track wildlife signs, map territories, design nature-based inventions, or embark on group quests inspired by the ecosystems we explore.
Rather than a traditional classroom feel, this program emphasizes movement, imagination, resilience, and teamwork - giving children space to test ideas, stretch their limits, and build confidence in a supportive outdoor environment.
Forest Quest pairs beautifully with independent homeschooling rhythms, and we proudly accept charter school funding for qualifying families.
Please Note:
We are always open to adding more sessions. Even if the class is full please add yourself to the waitlist as we may add more classes to the session depending on interest!
Also check out our:
Seedling Classes for ages 2.5-4.
Wildling Classes for ages 5-7
Registration for this schedule starts on 02/02/2026 and ends on 07/02/2026
Participants must be 7 years to 10 years old when the program starts.
BL Saplings Daily Rhythm 8:00–8:30 | Arrival & Expedition Prep 8:30–9:45 | Quest Work & Skill-Building Missions 9:45–10:15 | Council Circle & Strategy Session 10:15–11:30 | Trail Expeditions & Field Challenges 11:30–11:50 | Lunch, Reflection & Storytelling
Saplings arrive and settle into the day through open exploration, cooperative games, and light skill challenges. Students check in with their team, organize materials, and prepare for the day’s adventure. This time supports independence, social connection, and responsibility as explorers gear up together.
Students engage in hands-on, challenge-based projects inspired by the land around them. Activities may include shelter design, mapping and navigation games, wildlife tracking, nature-based engineering builds, team problem-solving quests, creative storytelling, or wilderness-inspired skills. Educators guide from alongside - posing questions, introducing tools, and supporting collaboration - while allowing students increasing ownership over their ideas and projects.
We gather for snack and community circle, sharing discoveries, planning next steps in group quests, and reflecting on challenges. Students may map routes, analyze findings, brainstorm solutions, or prepare for upcoming field explorations. This time strengthens communication, perspective-taking, and leadership.
Saplings head out for extended walk-abouts and field-based investigations. Students may navigate new terrain, conduct ecosystem observations, complete scavenger-style inquiry missions, practice teamwork challenges, or document discoveries through journaling and sketching. These outdoor expeditions encourage resilience, curiosity, and deeper connection to place.
Students refuel and wind down with reflective journaling, map updates, sketching, or storytelling from the day’s adventures. Educators guide brief discussions focused on teamwork, growth moments, and discoveries.
The day concludes with a closing circle to celebrate progress, recognize leadership moments, and preview tomorrow’s adventure before reunification with caregivers.
Please contact The Native School if you have any questions.