Forest School

Learned about this wonderful concept for a forest classroom recently. They are redefining education by bringing learning outdoors, immersing children in natural settings rather than confining them to classrooms. Born in Denmark in the 1950s (though one could argue the Gurukul concept from India well preceded that), the concept has since spread worldwide, with schools emphasizing curiosity, independence, and respect for the environment. From Cádiz to California, these schools create environments where children learn resilience, problem-solving, and creativity through hands-on exploration. The school experiments happening in India look promising too.

In Spain, Alma Forest School combines wide-open ranch land with international academic standards, while Berkley Forest School in California layers forest pedagogy with indigenous traditions and anti-bias education. Across the UK, Portugal, and Singapore, programs like Nest in the Woods, Escola Lá Fora, and Roots and Boots highlight independence, inclusiveness, and the freedom for children to set their own pace of discovery. Each adapts the forest school model to local culture, whether through holiday clubs, bilingual programs, or parent-child sessions for infants.

Scandinavia and Germany have their own rich traditions. Sweden’s I Ur och Skur Mulleborg (“Rain or Shine”) immerses children in year-round outdoor play, from canoeing in summer to skiing in winter, always tied to environmental stewardship. Germany’s Robin Hood Waldkindergarten fosters bilingual learning in an imaginative, toy-light environment that values creativity over consumption. These these seven schools show how contact with nature doesn’t just enrich childhood, it builds a foundation of resilience, empathy, and lifelong curiosity. The world could only use a lot more of that.