The Native School - A San Diego Forest School

09/03/2026

The first days of school can hold so many different emotions - for children and for their grown-ups.
Excitement. Curiosity. Uncertainty. Confidence. A little hesitation.

At Forest School, we don’t expect every child to arrive ready to run into the woods on day one.
We give them time.

Time to learn their teachers.
Time to find their favorite places.
Time to make a friend.
Time to observe before participating.
Time to discover that this place can become theirs.

Because belonging isn’t created by telling a child, “You’re going to have fun!”
It’s created through repeated experiences of being known, supported, listened to, and welcomed.

And eventually, something shifts.
The child who once held your hand tightly is leading you down the trail to show you something they’ve discovered.
“Look!” That little moment can be the beginning of a very big journey.

🌿 Read our newest blog, “The First Days of Forest School: A Journey of Belonging & Discovery,” through the link in our bio.

08/27/2026

08/22/2026

Show up in Forest School style! September 8 will be here before we know it, and we’re getting ready for another year of creek adventures, climbing trees, curious questions, and learning beneath the canopy. 🍂

Whether you’re getting ready for your child’s first year at The Native School or returning for another season, now is the perfect time to grab some Native School gear for the year ahead.

Our Printful shop has shirts, sweatshirts, hats, totes, water bottles, and other nature-inspired favorites- including pieces featuring student artwork and designs inspired by the places and experiences that make our community special.
Because there’s nothing quite like spotting a Native School shirt on the trail and knowing there’s a little nature-school community nearby. 💚

🛍️ Shop now through the link in our bio and get your gear ordered before the school year begins!
🌱 See you beneath the trees on September 8.

08/21/2026

What happens when a community comes together around a shared belief? This! 💚🌳

Last week’s San Diego Nature School Festival was more than an afternoon of activities - it was a celebration of the people and organizations working every day to connect children with nature, foster environmental stewardship, and support families throughout our community.

We watched children discover new interests, families make meaningful connections, educators share ideas, and local organizations inspire the next generation of nature lovers.

To every family who attended and every community partner who shared their passion and expertise - thank you.
Your presence reminded us that none of us does this work alone. It takes a community to nurture curiosity, protect the places we love, and create opportunities for children to grow with confidence, wonder, and connection.

We hope you left with new friendships, helpful resources, and a renewed excitement for getting outside together. 💚

08/13/2026

The San Diego Nature School Summer Festival isn’t just about bringing organizations together. It’s about bringing together a shared vision. 🌿

Every community partner you’ll meet at this event believes, in their own way, that children thrive when they’re connected to the natural world.

Some are restoring local habitats and protecting wildlife.
Some are teaching environmental stewardship.
Some are helping children build confidence through outdoor play.
Some are supporting families with resources, education, and inclusive services.

Together, they represent something bigger than a single event - a community working toward the same goal: raising a generation of curious, capable children who care for both people and the planet.
We’re honored to share this space with organizations that inspire us, collaborate with us, and help make nature more accessible to families throughout San Diego.

🌿 Come meet the people behind the missions.
🌱 Discover local resources you may not have known existed.
💚 Leave with new connections, new ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the incredible work happening in our community.

📅 August 14 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 San Dieguito County Park
✨ Admission is free, but please RSVP! Your RSVP helps us prepare activities and resources for every family, and you’ll receive our San Dieguito Park Nature Explorer Guide before the festival.

🔗 Reserve your spot through the link in our bio - we can’t wait to welcome you beneath the trees.

08/12/2026

This isn’t just another festival. It’s the culmination of something we’ve dreamed about for years. 🌿

When The Native School first opened, nature-based education was almost unheard of in North County. There was no roadmap for forest schools. Our founder spent years navigating legal challenges, advocating for children, and building a program that paired innovative outdoor education with professional educators, proper licensing, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

Today, nature-based education is growing - and we couldn’t be more excited.
That’s why we’re launching the inaugural San Diego Nature School Festival.
This isn’t a vendor fair. It’s a celebration of a movement.
A place where families can meet the incredible organizations, educators, conservationists, therapists, scientists, and nature lovers working every day to help children thrive outdoors.

It’s about discovering new places to learn.
New trails to explore.
New communities to belong to.
It’s about bringing together everyone who believes childhood is richer with muddy boots, curious questions, and time spent beneath the trees.

Through our nonprofit, Nurture Their Nature, our mission has always extended beyond the children enrolled in our own classes. We want to help bring the benefits of nature-based education to more children, support the organizations doing this important work, and build a stronger, more connected community around outdoor childhood.

This festival is one more step toward that vision. Whether you’ve been with us for years or you’re simply curious about learning outdoors, we hope you’ll join us.

🌿 San Diego Nature School Festival
📅 Friday, August 14
🕚 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 San Dieguito County Park

Read the full story behind why we created the festival in our latest blog post San Diego Nature School Festival: More Than a Festival, A Movement (link in bio).

08/05/2026

🌿 The San Diego Nature School Festival is almost here, and we’re preparing for an incredible day of outdoor play, hands-on learning, live entertainment, and community connections.

✨ Explore interactive booths hosted by 10 + local organizations and university partners.
🌱 Let your children follow their curiosity through open-ended nature play.
🎨 Create, discover, and connect with families who value childhood outdoors.

Plus, everyone who RSVPs receives our San Dieguito Park Nature Explorer Field Guide before the event!

📅 Friday, August 14
🕚 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 San Dieguito County Park

🎟️ Admission is FREE, but please RSVP today so we can prepare enough materials, activities, and resources for every family.

Reserve your free spot & learn more at sandiegonatureschoolfestival.com!

07/30/2026

When you RSVP for the San Diego Nature School Summer Festival, you’ll receive our San Dieguito Park Nature Explorer Field Guide - a printable resource designed to help your family explore this amazing park, spark curiosity, and turn everyday outings into meaningful nature adventures.

Then, join us for a day filled with:
-Interactive community booths
-Open-ended nature play
-Live family entertainment
-University partners and hands-on learning
-Resources for nature-based education, homeschooling, and outdoor exploration

Whether you’re already part of our community or simply looking for a meaningful way to connect with nature and other local families, we’d love to welcome you.

📅 Friday, August 14
🕚 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 San Dieguito County Park

✨ RSVP through the link in our bio to reserve your free spot and receive your San Diego Park Nature Explorer Field Guide before the festival!

07/30/2026

Families grab your FREE tickets at link in profile and educators register for your booth at that same link! 🎟️ Let’s prepare together to make this the best school year ever 🏡😄📚🍎