The collaborators you love, Emberwood and Edmonton Forest School present -
Forest Connect
For nature loving families, busy adults, and curious kids. Forest Connect is a seasonal program to grow you connection to self, your family, and nature.
OCTOBER 19 2025 - MARCH 8 2026 - MAY 24 2026
For you - an immersive experience of eco-therapy and positive solitude, right in Edmonton’s River Valley.
For your kids - imaginative play and nature exploration, at its best.
For you, Forest Connect is a short and sweet reset. We get it, because we are parents too. Weekends are packed, driving too and from extra-curriculars is a full time job, between homework and chores there seems to be no time left. We want to connect with our kids and have some time to reset after our own long work-week. Experience the benefits of eco-therapy, forest bathing, and solitude to reset your body and brain.
For the kids, Little Forest School, is a full afternoon of Forest School. Mucking about by the pond, tromping through the woods, building forts - it is imaginative, nature-based play at its best. And children will experience introductory eco-therapy skills too, like journalling and sit spotting .
For the family, it’s what we need most: time to rest, regulate and play. Tech-free time outside to slow down for the whole family. A meaningful and joyful way for the whole family to feel more grounded. 3 afternoons packed with curiosity, insight, and play.
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“The support, care, and thoughtfulness that went into designing a meaningful experience was obvious.”
Lodge Participant
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"It was like 6 months of therapy in one weekend. I came home and I was able to have some tough conservations that I had been putting off."
Christine
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"The experience was nothing short of magical."
Emberwood participant
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"Very open and welcoming atmosphere!"
Kaylyn
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"Emberwood is a community where you instantly feel safe, connected, and welcomed. I have adored the space created for personal growth, connection with nature, and organic healing."
Sarah
At Forest School, your kids will experience…
Meanwhile, YOU will experience…
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Nervous System Regulation
Through guided eco-therapy practices you’ll get a break from ‘fight or flight’ and truly get to rest your brain and body.
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Deeper Insight and Self-Reflection
Through facilitated and held solitude therapy practices, you’ll experience the creative, generative, and restorative benefits of positive time alone.
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Clarity and Connection
Through individual and group integration practices, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of self and more capacity for connection to you, your kids, and nature.
$175 base fee for 3 sessions
One adult + one child.
Add more kids or adults for $50 each, to a family maximum of 5 people. Additions after 5 people are free!
Come rest regulate and play with us!
Session fee is for 3 sessions on: October 19 2025, March 8th 2026, and May 24 2026 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. This fee includes the cost for adult and children’s programming. You may be eligble to submit your invoice to your Extended Health Coverage Provider.
Schedule
Saturday August 16 - Sunday August 17
Before
Feel Prepared
Join us for your “Warmth Workshop.” You’ll have time to explore our extensive Gear Library and borrow any clothing and gear you want.
Your children will be eased in to meeting their Forest School educators and they will play outside to get really comfortable together for the trip.
During
Your Immersive Experience
Little Lodge is a weekend - 2 days and 1 sleep. With an extensive introductory time and then guided portions, you will be all set once there is more free time for you to explore on your own.
Children will be in Forest School programming during the day, then we will all be together in the evenings.
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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Forest School is bringing a team of educators, so they will be able to divide the group up into age groupings.
Friends/cousins/siblings who want to be in the same group can stick together, of course.
Little ones (under 3) will be in a baby & toddler room and area specifically designed for their needs. Cindy will be in touch about naps, milk, specific needs etc.
If you are 10, 11, 12, you might wish to do the Forest School programming, playing in the woods with your group of 7-12 year olds. OR, you might wish to be a Junior Forest School Leader, assisting the Forest School Educator team. There will be an orientation to train you for this volunteer position.
Teens, you have the opportunity to be a Junior Forest School Leader, as above.
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We welcome polycules, grandparents with grandkids, aunties and uncles with their niblings, co-parents, people with young friends, Big Brothers Big Sisters with their littles, foster families, solo parents, the list goes on and on.
Yes, bring your child-free bestie to join you. Yes your kid can bring their best friend as part of your family.
If you know you’re family, we know it too!
(But not furry family this time, no pets on this trip.)
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We got you covered! These skills are built right into the programs, and there is ample time for you to borrow gear AND clothing from our gear library.
For children’s clothing, we will teach you what to look out for at second hand shops.
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Many people pay with a payment plan, just send us an email and we’ll set one up.
If you have Blue Cross, contact us, and we’ll let you know what to look for in your plan - you maybe able to knock off some cost.
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All meals provided, catered to your dietary needs. We can cook gluten free, vegan, low FODMAP and more. There is food out and available at all times. You are welcome to bring more of your own. We are happy to discuss bathroom hacks, be in touch! We are ED informed and have a no diet-talk norm.
For the kids, you’ll pack a lunch with them, choosing from lots of kid-friendly sandwich making materials and sides.
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These tiny cabins do the trick. You’ll get your own cabin. They sleep 4, so be in touch if you have more than 4 in your party - we have a plan for you!
There are 2 bunks, so 2 single beds down, 2 up = 4.
A pack ‘n’ play would fit in the room, or another mattress or two on the floor.
It’s August - if you want to tent or RV, that’s great too!
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We are experts with this sort of thing!
Your children will get to know the educators and have time playing with them long before the trip away. You will be close by should they need you.
We make a solid plan about how to transition from family time to Forest School time. You can practice this together at the Warmth Workshop so it is ready for Narrow Lake.
On site, educators are able to be in touch with parents if need be.
Leadership by expert eco-therapy guides
Heading up the Forest School team is EFS director Miriam
"Hello! I'm Miriam. I'm one of the directors of the Edmonton Forest School Society. As an educator, I love helping humans of all ages grow belonging, wonder, creativity, and empowerment through playful connection with their human and ecological communities. One of my favorite ways to be mindful outdoors is entering "small worlds" play: what if I could curl up under a leaf for bedtime? Or sit on a mushroom stool for lunch?"
And Emberwood’s team leads are Fergus and Jude:
"Hi, I’m Jude. As a therapist and outdoor guide, I really believe in nature as therapy. My experiences of ‘solos' is that they are the quickest, most reliable and most joyful way for me to remember who I am, find out what I want, and heal old patterns. This modality lets me be in touch with - and enjoy - my inner world, which is something I believe all people deserve. We don't have to be scared of who we are or what we want.
"Howdy, I’m Fergus, one of Emberwood’s founders and your guide. I'm an extrovert, but I'm all about solitude - it's the only way I can really hear my truth without all the confusion of others' needs and life's complexities clamouring for my attention and getting in my way. I am looking forward to passing on how the benefits of positive solitude therapy can work for you too! It's the only way I make major life decisions now, solitude gives me such clarity and insight."