- Welcome to Forest Lake Nature School
- info@ForestLakeNatureSchool.com
- 18348 Loyola St NE Columbus, MN 55025
A skill-building mentorship, not a drop-in class
Rooted in repetition, rhythm, and earned competence
Designed for youth ready for focus, responsibility, and real tools
Guided by experienced mentors in a calm, relational container
This program culminates in witnessed Rites of Competency in April and May.
Tracking & Land Awareness
Wildlife tracking, story reading, substrate interpretation
Archery
Ethical use, safety culture, focus, form, and discipline
Bushcraft & Survival Skills
Fire making, shelter building, knife skills, knots, and cordage
Awareness, Skill, & Team Games
Sensory awareness, sneaking, cooperation, problem-solving
Always Present (Emergent)
Foraging awareness and bird language woven naturally into each day
Hour 1: Tracking or Archery + skill-based games
Hour 2: Bushcraft skill focus
Hour 3: Awareness, Skill, & Team Games
The structure stays the same each month so youth can relax into it and build confidence through repetition.
Tracking I–VI
Archery I–VI
Bushcraft skills layered seasonally
The year ends with earned competency, not just participation.
June 2026 – May 2027
June – Tracking I · Firemaking I · Awareness, Skill, & Team Games I
July – Archery I · Shelter Making I · Awareness, Skill, & Team Games I
August – Tracking II · Firemaking II · Awareness, Skill, & Team Games II
September – Archery II · Shelter Making II · Awareness, Skill, & Team Games II
October – Tracking III · Knife Skills I · Awareness, Skill, & Team Games III
November – Archery III · Knife Skills II · Awareness, Skill, & Team Games III
December – Tracking IV · Winter Fire I · Awareness, Skill, & Team Games IV
January – Archery IV (Indoor) · Winter Shelter I · Awareness, Skill, & Team Games IV
February – Tracking V · Winter Fire II · Awareness, Skill, & Team Games V
March – Archery V · Integrated Survival Challenge I · Awareness, Skill, & Team Games V
April
Tracking VI · Integrated Survival Challenge II
→ 1st Minnesota Youth Animal Tracking Practice Assessment
Parents invited to attend and witness
May
Archery VI · Bushcraft Skills Rite of Competency
→ End-of-Year Rite of Competency & Celebration
Parents invited to attend and celebrate
April: Youth Animal Tracking Practice Assessment
Hosted by Forest Lake Nature School in partnership with the Minnesota Wildlife Tracking Project
Parents invited to attend and witness
May: Archery & Bushcraft Rite of Competency and End-of-Year Celebration
Parents invited to attend and celebrate
Archery moves indoors when needed
Tracking follows available substrate
(snow, ice edges, mud, sand, freeze–thaw)
We adapt to the land rather than forcing a fixed curriculum.
Owl Moon Night Hike & Sauna / Polar Plunge
January or February
3:30–6:30 pm
A guided evening experience including night awareness, sauna, and optional cold exposure.
Parent note: Fully supervised, choice-based, and focused on confidence and regulation.
Youth Animal Tracking Practice Assessment (April)
This is a referral-based program.
Referred families may register directly
Non-referred families complete a short application and conversation
Readiness matters more than age
Spots are limited to protect group culture and depth
If this offering resonates, we invite aligned families to take the next step.
Real skills, taught slowly and well
Clear structure without rigidity
Calm leadership and strong boundaries
Earned confidence through responsibility
Deep alignment with Forest Lake Nature School values
We support find your edge, not forcing going beyond. Youth are encouraged to try new things, but participation is always guided, consent-based, and supported. Close observation and apprentice tracking is always present.
Yes, with clear preparation, strong safety culture, and close mentorship. Tools are introduced progressively, with responsibility matched to readiness.
Tracking and observation are part of the core program. Experiences involving trapping, hunting, or firearms are not part of Year 1 and are offered only in later years through shared agreement with families.
Yes, intentionally. Parents are invited to attend and witness:
April: Youth Animal Tracking Practice Assessment
May: Archery & Bushcraft Rite of Competency and End-of-Year Celebration
These are moments to honor growth and earned skill.
Consistent attendance is encouraged since skills build over time. That said, we understand families have full lives. We focus on relationship and reintegration rather than punishment.
Referred families may register directly.
Non-referred families begin with a short application and conversation.
Spots are intentionally limited.
This program is best suited for youth who enjoy focused learning, real responsibility, and small-group mentorship. It may not be the best fit for children seeking constant novelty or high-adrenaline activities.
If you are unsure, we are happy to talk it through.
This program is aligned with the values and philosophy of Forest Lake Nature School, but it is designed for older youth (ages 8–14) and goes deeper into skill mastery, responsibility, and mentorship. It is more focused and structured than early childhood or play-based programs.
1. Relational Trust and Clear Communication
We prioritize strong relationships with families, so if anything happens, you hear from us directly and promptly. Parents are immediately contacted if there is any injury or incident requiring attention beyond basic first aid.
2. Trained and Certified Staff
All guides are certified in First Aid and CPR, and some hold advanced certifications such as Wilderness First Responder. Each guide is familiar with our emergency action plan and practices scenario-based drills throughout the year.
3. Emergency Protocols and Equipment
We keep complete emergency contact information, first aid kits, and shelter plans on site at all times. Staff carry communication devices (cell phones or radios) to reach emergency services quickly if needed. In the event of severe weather, we move to designated indoor or sheltered spaces (such as the pole barn, garage, or nearby building) according to our safety plan.
We understand that life happens—schedules shift, and circumstances change. At the same time, we rely on each family’s financial commitment to sustain our guides’ income, land partnerships, insurance, and the many preparations that make our programs possible.
Our registration and supply fee is non-refundable and is collected at the time of registration. Because our class sizes are intentionally small, each spot is valuable. Please consider your family’s rhythm and level of commitment before reserving a space.
If you need to withdraw, tuition (minus processing fees) can be refunded up to 30 days before the first day of class. After that point, tuition is non-refundable.
We appreciate your understanding and partnership in keeping our school community sustainable and thriving.
Forest Lake Nature School is designed as a drop-off program so that children can fully settle into the rhythms of their group and build confidence and connection with their guides and peers.
We understand that separation can be a meaningful transition for both children and parents, and we support that process with warmth and care. Once the group has established its rhythm, we occasionally invite parents to volunteer, share a skill, or join special community days, but this is coordinated in advance with the instructor.
Our intention is to create a safe and loving space where children can develop independence while still feeling deeply supported by the larger village around them.
Yes. Our lead guides and anchor teachers are trained to recognize the signs of anaphylaxis and to administer epinephrine (EpiPens) when needed. Safety and preparedness are essential parts of our training and daily rhythm.
Because our program takes place outdoors and children may be spread across different learning areas, there may be moments when a guide is not immediately within eyesight—such as accompanying another child to the restroom or gathering supplies. For that reason, we ask that children who have prescribed medication carry it with them at all times, and that parents review its use with our staff before the program begins.
Our goal is to ensure that every child is supported, safe, and known by the adults around them.
Masks are not required at Forest Lake Nature School. Because our programs take place primarily outdoors in the fresh air, families are free to decide what feels best for them.
We respect each family’s choice and trust our community to make thoughtful decisions that support everyone’s comfort and well-being. Children and adults are always welcome to wear a mask if they prefer.
If your child is experiencing persistent coughing or cold symptoms, it may be best for them to stay home or wear a mask out of respect for others until they are feeling better.
No, Forest Lake Nature School is not affiliated with any specific church or religious organization. We welcome families from all walks of life and honor the diverse spiritual and cultural backgrounds that make our community rich and vibrant.
At the heart of our work is a shared reverence for the natural world and a belief that life is sacred, interconnected, and full of mystery and beauty. We recognize that many traditions—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Baháʼí, Indigenous, and others—speak to this same sense of wonder and gratitude for creation.
Our goal is not to teach doctrine, but to nurture in children a deep awe for the living world, a sense of belonging, and respect for the many ways people understand and celebrate the sacred.
Please list any food allergies or sensitivities on your registration form.
During snack time, children eat outdoors or in open-air shelters, and we maintain a no food-sharing policy to support everyone’s safety. If your child has significant allergies or requires additional precautions, please reach out so we can make a thoughtful plan together.
Forest Lake Nature School follows a common-sense, nature-based approach to health and safety. Because our programs take place primarily outdoors with abundant fresh air, natural spacing, and sunlight, the risk of transmission is very low.
We trust families to use discernment and open communication. If your child is unwell or showing symptoms of any contagious illness (COVID or otherwise), we ask that you keep them home until they are well enough to return to full participation in outdoor play and learning.
We do not require masks or testing, but we do encourage transparent conversations and respect for each family’s comfort level. If there is a confirmed case within our community, we notify affected families promptly so they can make informed decisions.
Our focus is always on supporting the whole child and community well-being—physically, emotionally, and relationally—so that children feel safe, connected, and cared for.
Yes, we have bathrooms available onsite for children and guides to use throughout the day.
9/14/2026 – 11/27/2026 (11 weeks)
$1,595/ 2 days per week OR $850/ 1 day per week ($145/week + $125 supply/registration fee)
* In observance of Labor Day, programming will begin on 9/14 (Mon)
*In observance of Thanksgiving, programming scheduled for 11/26 (Thur) will happen on 11/27 (Fri)
3/22/2027 – 6/4/2027 (11 weeks)
$1,595/ 2 days per week OR $850/ 1 day per week ($145/week + $125 supply/registration fee)
* In observance of Memorial Day, programming scheduled for 5/31 (Mon) will happen on 6/4 (Fri)
Testimonials
Join Our Newsletter
Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter! Learn about new programs, open enrollment, and other happenings.
Begin Enrollment
Secure your child’s place in our upcoming programs today.
