Springwood Forest School

It’s so much more than taking school outdoors. The meaningful and dynamic education we offer Springwood Forest School students builds lasting relationships and a passion for learning.
Join our waitlist for year round forest school on beautiful Camano Island!
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https://www.springwoodforestschool.com/

Springwood students receive a vibrant, well-rounded education featuring guest teachers, special projects, field trips, and hands-on learning opportunities. Join our waitlist for year-round forest school on beautiful Camano Island. 🌊🦅🌲

Springwood Summer Camp is designed to be tactile, intimate, educational, and safe. We invite curious kids to make new friends while exploring some of Camano Island’s best kept secrets! Our first three weeks of camp are full, but a handful of spaces remain in the final week of camp!

Visit our website to register!
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https://www.springwoodforestschool.com/summer-camp-program

Springwood students had an exciting opportunity to observe an American bullfrog this week, after our teaching team rescued one from a dangerous road. Encounters with animals are thrilling for young children, and provide layers of learning. This creature taught us social emotional skills such as empathy, compassion, and ethical decision making. He also invited an important conversation about native and invasive species, and the moral complexities of ecological balance. Perhaps the greatest lesson of all, is the kindness we find in community. While this creature’s injuries turned out to be irreparable, our local wildlife rescue organization, were able to provide him with a peaceful end to his suffering. These moments aren’t easy, but they offer deep and lasting lessons that sow the seeds of a caring and connected generation.

Our students were resting peacefully under our beloved Douglas fir when this baby bird fell from its nest, nearly in our laps. We gathered around it quietly so as not to frighten it. After careful observation, we determined it was too vulnerable to leave unattended in the nature preserve. Our fast-acting and compassionate teacher, Delaney, transported this Savannah sparrow to Sarvey Wildlife Care Center. Thanks to the knowledgeable, hardworking rehabilitators at Sarvey this beautiful fledgling is now thriving under their care, and even became Patient of the Week! Head over to their feed at Sarvey Wildlife Care Center to read about it, and see the sweet video of it eagerly hand feeding. ❤️

"Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” ― Fred Rogers.

As the end of summer approaches, and temperatures begin to drop, we can’t help but reflect on this moment of transition.
 
Our first six months have left us in awe of our students. We’ve been fortunate to witness the growing resilience of every child and their sense of independence. Each day was an opportunity to reveal their strengths, share their talents, and discover new friends.
 
And they’ve been busy! We’ve encountered owls, slugs, deer, rabbits and birds. Our students have played in the snow, the rain, and the sun – sometimes all on the same day. They can identify dozens of trees, flowers, berries, and birds. While they often do so casually, sometimes they shout very proudly (and sometimes in Latin, bellowing out “Turdus migratorius!”).

Springwood’s staff realizes the great fortune we have, to witness the growth of these children incrementally. We delight when a new student invites a friendship (often demonstrated by holding hands on a hike), runs barefoot, sleeps quietly under the sky, or sheds their fear while climbing a tree.
 
With a Montessori approach to collaboration and contribution, students have developed self-reliance while helping others. Students proudly volunteer for community jobs, such as distributing water or lunch boxes, assisting peers with hand washing, and other supporting roles that allow them to feel empowered and nurturing.
 
So, before we started thinking about cider and scarves, we wanted to be sure we paused to look back. We’re grateful for the parents, caregivers, community leaders, advocates, and teachers that brought Springwood to life. Looking at the smiles on the faces of our students, it’s hard to call this summer anything but a huge success.

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Known as the salmonberry bird, the Swainsons thrush is usually heard but not seen. Last week we sat down as a group, in the middle of a hike, to try a call and response. The children closed their eyes, and quietly listened. They were soon rewarded by the pleasant sound of that very bird.

A beautiful moment, and a great reminder of what’s out there if we’re listening.

It’s beach week! Our summer camp is in full swing, and students are spending the week at Iverson Beach. This location is a favorite spot, offering both hiking trails and a beautiful beach covered in driftwood and sand.
 
And these early stewards are giving back, too. Look at the group celebrating today’s beach clean up!

Our current unofficial Pacific banana slug record (as witnessed at Springwood) is eight inches long, although this gorgeous species can grow to nearly 10 inches in length. The longest species of terrestrial slug can be a full foot long!

Living up to seven years old, many of these slugs could be older than some students!

We delight in the reactions of students who witness a new bird, plant, or animal during a day in the forest. It’s not uncommon to see a dozen species before lunch, and many students can quickly identify them. Species often include songbirds and plants, but also slugs, snakes, and raptors!

Following a hike, we like to meet at Basecamp and investigate further using books, photographs, and microscopes.

Our outdoor classroom is alive with fascinating species, like this northern alligator lizard we discovered last week. We’re eager for hands-on, experiential learning opportunities such as this one. With magnifying glasses, field guides, writing utensils, and our in-house reptile expert, Teacher Delaney, we’re ready to make the most of these close encounters.