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 your connection to self, your family, and nature.
APRIL 19 - MAY 31 - June 14; August 22-23
For you - an immersive experience of eco-therapy and positive solitude
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-basedplay 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, followed by a weekend camp!
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.
$ 375.00 - 550.00
This is a family program (ages 3+) that offers children a spot in Edmonton Forest School programming while parents/caregivers attend Emberwood programming. Cost includes:
1 Night at Family Camp (meals, accommodation, and transportation included approx 2 hrs from Edmonton) on August 22-23, 2026.
3 pre-camp sessions in Edmonton, AB. Snacks included. April 19, May 31, and June 14th, 2026
All children’s programming and childcare costs, all adult programming costs.
Please choose the cost that is best suited to your family and finances. We have put recommendations based on participation, but know times are tough.
Ideally, 4 per cabin, be in touch if you are keen to add 5th are we can figure it out!
Come rest, regulate and play with us!
This is a family program (ages 3+) that offers children a spot in Edmonton Forest School programming while parents/caregivers attend Emberwood programming. Cost includes:
1 Night at Family Camp (meals, accommodation, and transportation included approx 2 hrs from Edmonton)
3 pre-camp sessions in Edmonton, AB. Snacks included.
All children’s programming and childcare costs, all adult programming costs.
Please choose the cost that is best suited to your family and finances. We have put recommendations based on participation, but know times are tough. Max 4 per cabin, be in touch if you are keen to add 5th are we can figure it out!
Fee is for 3 sessions and a weekend camp. Dates: April 19, May 31, June 14th, August 22-23, 2026. This fee includes the cost for adult and children’s programming, camp accommodation, meals for the camp, and transportation to and from camp.
✺ 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 appropriate groupings. We’ll have enough educators to make sure kids can explore fully and still be safe!
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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.
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This year we are able to offer spots on a sliding scale. If this still is stretch, please be in touch about a playment plan.
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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You’re in the right place! Most people feel nervous at their first Emberwood program. We teach practical skills to support you with all your feelings and everything is invitational. You can opt in and out as you need.
A good comparison is attending a yoga class. You’ll arrive to some quiet hellos or gentle chit chat, we’ll be shared silence as we are guided through practices, then folks can leave as quickly or as slowly as they want at the end.
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We’ll be based out of the Emberwood Offices at 10740 19 Avenue, Edmonton AB for the pre-trip sessions.
Your kiddos will walk to a green space to play about 10 minutes from the building with supervision from the Forest School Team.
Our weekend camp with be at Narrow Lake Alberta, yes transportation is provided.
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We are experts with this sort of thing! We suggest you come a little early to the first session, then your kids can meet the team and ask any questions they have.
The Forest School team will be able to radio for us at any time, so they can be in touch if you kiddo needs something.
Expert Leadership, from people you know.
"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?"
"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."