Cedarwood Community And School

10/08/2026

Wow, listen to Dr. Gabor Maté tell the facts about healthy brain development.
Curiosity, creativity, connection and PLAY are certainly not lacking in our days at Cedarwood! It's what we are all about!

10/08/2026

Join us for some fresh air and forest fun!

🍁Friday, October 16th
🍄1–3pm.
🌞Free

Our Stay & Play is geared toward children ages 2–6, however it is open to families with children of all ages.

Please email to sign up.

10/02/2026

09/22/2026

If you've followed us for any amount of time, or even just browsed our website, you know we are fans of Peter Gray. Free to Learn was a major inspiration for Cedarwood. We can't wait to read Peter's new book. Perhaps our next book club pick😁

I encourage anyone to read this short interview promoting his book.

"I hope to reach everyone. A message presented most forcefully in the last chapter is that all adults should feel obliged to help create a society conducive to healthy child development. I describe especially the roles of educators, parents, city and town planners, recreation departments, librarians, and pediatricians, but I conclude by asking everyone to think about what they can do to help bring more play and freedom to children’s lives."

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-emotions/202609/a-manifesto-for-letting-kids-be-kids-to-enjoy-wild-free-play?fbclid=IwY2xjawUb1atwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMWxQRnY0UG90S21BaHhjTnpzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe6Kt3DC9wtMQ8u_wsVAV_L3V8Bhtbiw83WA_eZl80d2UWJXHdfJa6D0gOP9k_aem_o85kIsPtbEWLAkp6qVR1qQ

Evolutionary psychologist Peter Gray stresses the importance of play and asks if the answer to the youth mental health crisis isn’t less screen time but more freedom.

09/10/2026

This is learning ⬆️🌳
Children are learning all the time! Children want to make sense of the world. They want to play, explore, connect with others and ask lots of questions. They are born curious and if given the time and space, they will stay curious and motivated. Adults can support them in their learning, but they don't need to direct it 🍃

Not pictured here, of course, is problem solving, self-regulation, conflict resolution, negotiation, leadership, resourcefulness, compassion... all essential skills and qualities that are developed when children are free to play🌱

09/08/2026

Ever feel like your kids are happiest when they’re covered in dirt, climbing things, and making up their own rules?

There’s a reason for that. Messy, wild, unpredictable play is where some of the best childhood memories are made. Let’s give kids the freedom to explore, take chances, and let nature surprise them.

08/17/2026

🌿 And just like that, our summer session has come to an end!

What a joy it has been to have children spending their summer days in the forest and enjoying all that Cedarwood has to offer. ☀️🌲🐛

We’re looking ahead with much excitement to our Fall Session, which is completely FULL! 💚

If you’re interested in joining us, we’re keeping a waitlist.
Email [email protected] if you’d like to be added to the list. ✨

07/09/2026

One year ago! 🤯
We stopped talking about a dream and went for it. Quit our jobs, shuffled things around, and took a risk. We were/are learning as we go along. We had a lot of encouragement and support from family and friends ❤️ And a healthy dose of skepticism 😅... Only made us more determined and motivated. Some of these photos show the earliest days - it was a family affair! Many long days in the forest, the kids playing and eager to help. We are so grateful to the families who shared our vision and have trusted us, and their children, from the very beginning 🌲🌲🌲

Thank you to B.A. Built for designing and building us an off-grid cabin without any hesitation !

06/30/2026

“It does help to remember what you noticed as a child,” says forest therapy guide Janice Bina-Smith.

In this evocative passage excerpted from his new book, “Noticing,” author and Children & Nature Network co-founder Richard Louv explores the practice of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku).

Nature immersion boasts strong medical backing, with studies showing it lowers blood pressure and floods the body with stress-reducing organic compounds called phytoncides.

Louv illustrates how slowing down in the outdoors awakens a “storm of noticing,” offering a powerful, accessible pathway for healing and self-reflection.

Read more in our Round Up. https://www.childrenandnature.org/finding-nature-news -up

Hachette Book Group



🐞 Louv started it. We need your support to continue it. Join the movement for children and nature. Support us at bit.ly/forchildrenandnature. 🦋