We believe nature is one of our greatest teachers.
About Camano Forest School
Who We Are.
Camano Forest School is an outdoor, nature-based school located on Camano Island in Washington State. We are an all-weather outdoor education program that utilizes nature immersion and place-based curriculum to develop cognitive, physical and social-emotional skills in children.
Our Teaching Philosophy.
We nurture the whole child through child-led play, exploration, and emergent learning. Our educators follow each child's curiosity while thoughtfully guiding their experiences and honoring their unique needs and interests. Rooted in the rhythms of place, our curriculum honors the Coast Salish lands we learn upon and seeks to foster a meaningful connection to nature, community, and Indigenous knowledge.
What We Do.
We offer outdoor education programming for preschool and school age children. Children enrolled in Camano Forest School are permitted a play-and-place-bonded experience where they can observe the dynamics of the seasons through time. In addition, our community-focused pedagogy elevates peer-to-peer relationships through stories, cooperative learning, and shared experiences.
Our Mission.
Our mission is to nurture the essential connection between nature and child. In doing so, we aim to raise children who are resilient, confident, creative and stewards of their community and the environment. We believe that providing children with a safe foundation to explore, discover and learn freely is essential to this development. Through our outdoor education programs, we strive to provide families in the Camano/Stanwood community with access to immersive play-and-place based learning.
Our Partners.
Our school is overseen and supported by Camano Outdoor Education Association (COEA), a non-profit dedicated to helping outdoor education thrive in the Camano/Stanwood community.
About Forest Schools.
Forest schools, or Outdoor Nature-Based (ONB) programs are nature-based educational programs that nurture student-led exploration while promoting the child’s physical, cognitive and social development. In 2021 Washington became the first state to license ONB programs. Learn more here.