Youth Education Programs
After school in the ACFL: Our school-year program
Join our exploration and discovery based after school programs throughout the school year! We will spend our time together making observations, asking and answering questions, and getting personal with the natural world around us. We will also engage in team building, social-emotional learning, and plenty of nature play.
Playing and discovering nature are integral parts of childhood development and these activities encourage our young community members to become leaders as environmental stewards and change makers in our world. Plus, we will make friends, have fun, and take learning outside of the classroom!
During each session (Fall 1&2, Winter, and Spring), we will meet on Wednesday afternoons from 3-5pm at different trailheads throughout the ACFL. New this year, we have separated our sessions by grade so we can offer programs specific to each group’s interests and abilities.
Please read the After School in the ACFL Handbook HERE to learn more about our schedule, things you’ll need to send with each child, and more information about the program.
After School Sessions:
2023 Fall Session 1 (Grades 1-2)
September-October
2023 Fall Session 2 (Grades 3-5)
November-December
2024 Winter Session (Grades K-2)
February-March 2024
2024 Spring Session (Grades K-5)
April-May 2024 - Registration open for all!
young explorers: A half-day camp for k-5 in february
2024 February Young Explorers Camp
(Anacortes School District Half-Day Conference Week)
Join us for our February Young Explorers Camp! Our young explorers will learn about the forest and themselves while completing hands-on activities and playing in the forest. This camp will focus on nature inquiry and using our critical thinking and teamwork skills to uncover some of our forest’s mysteries. Every day at camp your child will get the chance to be a scientist, artist, problem solver, and member of the forest community. Plus they’ll come home with stories to share and great ways to get the whole family outside!
Our three hour, half-day schedule is perfect for kids who are looking for some independence and to make new friends while exploring the forest. The camp runs February 12th-16th in correspondence with the Anacortes School District’s half-day conference week. Each day we will explore a specific theme through asking questions, making art, and getting to know the forest. We will also have time to play, share stories, and team build throughout the week.
Please read the Young Explorers Camp Handbook HERE for more information!
Science Sleuths: spring break camp
2024 Spring Break Camp Schedule:
Morning Session 9am-12pm | Afternoon session: 1pm-4pm
(Anacortes School District Spring Break April 1-5)
Friends of the ACFL is excited to host our new science and inquiry-based spring break camp for students grades K-5! Every day our science sleuths will do investigations and experiments to learn about the forest around them and build their connection with our wonderful community forest.
Our three hour, half-day schedule is perfect for kids who are looking for some independence and to make new friends while exploring the forest. Please note that children can only attend one session.The camp runs April 1-5 in correspondence with the Anacortes school district’s spring break. Each day we will explore a specific theme through asking questions, making art, and getting to know the forest. We will also have time to play, share stories, and team build throughout the week.
Please read the Science Sleuths Handbook HERE for more information!
Forest Discovery Day Camp: our summer program
Forest Discovery is for campers ages 6-8 and 8-11 with a maximum capacity of 15 participants per session. Sessions for the younger campers are half-days (3 hours long) and for the older campers, full days (9 am-4 pm). Each session runs Tuesday-Friday and is led by two adult educators. Because of high demand for this program, children can be registered for only one session per summer.
Click here for the 2024 Forest Discovery Parent Handbook
Registration for 2024 Forest Discovery is open!
2024 Sessions:
Session 1A (mornings, 9am-12pm) - July 9-12, ages 6-8
Session 1B (afternoons, 1pm-4pm) - July 9-12, ages 6-8
Session 2 (full day, 9am-4pm) - July 16-19, ages 8-11
Session 3 (full day, 9am-4pm) - July 23-26, ages 8-11
Session 4 (full day, 9am-4pm) - July 30-August 2, ages 8-11
For over three decades, Friends of the Forest has held Forest Discovery, our free environmental education summer day camp. Children who are enrolled in Forest Discovery Summer Day Camp will have the opportunity to explore and experience the ACFL’s rich ecosystems through activities relevant to the group's interests. Observational skills, critical thinking, social-emotional learning, and team-building will be practiced through art, science, writing, reading, and physical activities. Forest Discovery helps nurture a connection with the ACFL and deepens a sense of place in our young community members. Campers will gain a sense of camaraderie with each other and the natural world and, of course, have a blast!
*Friends of the Forest’s programming is entirely FREE, but we prioritize member registration before opening spots to the general public. If you would like to become a member and learn about these opportunities first, please head to our Support Us page prior to registration opening to ensure that you have first access to the registration information.
If you have any questions about our youth programs, please email our Youth Education Coordinator at hannah@friendsoftheacfl.org.
