I’ve always loved nature.
during a beautiful sunset, a walk on the beach or while climbing a tree? Whether hiking in the mountains, gazing at the stars, sitting at the base of a waterfall, or running through an open field- stories, moments, and memories like these conjure within us a deep sense of what it means to be a part of creation and to be fully human.
Anthony & Melissa Ulrich, the founders and lead teachers of Forest Lake Nature School, have savored experiences like these throughout their life. They have always felt a deep connection and love for the natural world. As a child, Anthony was outside as much as possible, climbing trees, splashing in creeks and building forts in the woods. Melissa’s favorite memories as a child are running around barefoot playing in the dirt in the sun all day. Nature has always been a place of refuge and inspiration for them.
After seeing their own children experience this same vitality and wonder outdoors, the Ulrichs began to question why we take children out of the richness of the natural world for early learning programs. As fully immersed homesteaders and adult onset naturalists, they started to research different approaches to early childhood education. They found that the forest school model and Waldorf education have been profoundly and positively impactful for children all over the world. Multiple sources of published research describe the key developmental growth that takes place when young children have the freedom to explore, play, and discover nature on a regular basis. These same experiences and skills acquired, cannot be replicated in an indoor setting. After learning this, the Ulrichs knew they had to start a nature-immersion school close to home in the Forest Lake Region.
Forest Lake Nature School is a bringing together of Ulrich’s greatest passions: nature, education, and the building of a more compassionate and just world. It is their hope that when children leave Forest Lake Nature School, the planted and cultivated seeds of forest school will flourish within them. These seeds will grow throughout each student’s life to produce a deep love for learning, immense creativity, an adventurous spirit, as well as a kind and compassionate relationship with all living beings.
We believe that we all play a part, big or small, young or old, in building “The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible” and this is our service.
