The Treehouse: a Forest Garden School

Saving seeds is one of our favorite yearly traditions in the garden.

As the seasons change, we gather seeds from the plants we’ve cared for all year long. From beans and calendula to sunflowers, herbs, and even dandelions. Each tiny seed becomes a special treasure in a child’s hands.

Seed saving gives children opportunities to practice fine motor skills, observation, patience, responsibility, and early science while experiencing the beautiful cycle of life firsthand.

Even though we spend most of our time in our Outdoor Classroom, when we do come in it’s such sweet magic. Last week was not easy with the air quality being so bad here in Oregon, and we had to spend DAYS inside. What happens when you take a group of boisterous forest children inside? We have to walk gently, talk softly, and play quietly and through the genius work of our Teachers the children get deep into meditative imaginative play. We not only have a glorious Forest Garden Outdoor Classroom, but we have our cozy indoor schoolhouse for times like these. Beauty and magic, inside and out.

We’re hiring substitute teachers!
We’re looking for caring, dependable educators to join our team for on-call and pre-scheduled substitute shifts. Pay is $21–24/hour. We truly value our substitutes! Become part of our vibrant and supportive community in the heart of Gladstone. Just minutes from downtown Milwaukie and Oregon City!
As a substitute at The Treehouse, you’ll also have the opportunity to join our Substitute Teacher Collective, connecting you with other like-minded nature-based schools such as Wildflower Outdoor Learning Center, Moon Flower Preschool and more!
If you love working with children and are passionate about outdoor, play-based education, we’d love to meet you. Send us a message or apply through our Employment page to learn more! 🌱💚

There is only one childhood. Only one chance to build the foundation your child will carry for the rest of their life.

At Treehouse, we believe every day matters. Through meaningful work, imaginative play, time in nature, and a deeply caring community, we intentionally nurture children who grow to love themselves, care for others, and become thoughtful stewards of the Earth.

The moments they experience today become the people they become tomorrow.

🌿 Schedule a tour today and enroll within one week to receive up to $6,200 off your annual tuition for the 2026–2027 school year.

Come experience the magic of a Forest Garden School and see what makes Treehouse so special. 💚

There is something magical about childhood in the summertime. ☀️🌿

Our summer camps have been full of adventure! Our older campers (1st to 5th grade) have been exploring the forest at Gladstone Nature Park, learning all about the science and magic that Mother Earth provides.

Our younger children have been creating in our Fiber Arts camp and doing clay, sun prints, rock painting, gardening and much more!

It’s been a summer filled with the wonder and creativity that makes The Treehouse so very special.

We still have openings for this summer so stop by our enrollment page to apply. Come join the adventure! 🌲✨

Here’s a fun summer idea! Instead of tie dye, do relief prints! This was much more accessible for the children to be involved with and the results are stunning!

What a wonderful celebration of Mother Earth and community. Treehouse offers more than just a school; we offer connection. Many of our families build bonds here that continue not only throughout their years at Treehouse, but far beyond. May Faire is just one of the many events that helps nurture these relationships while creating beautiful memories for the children and a true sense of belonging for our families.

Forest Garden education involves teaching, children about beneficial insects and using nature as a solution instead of chemicals.

Praying mantis and ladybugs love to feast on aphids and boy do we have a glorious amount for them on our honeysuckle this year!