Connection is at the core of our mission
Social emotional development is key to living a connected life and through our emergent and flow style program, your child will begin to understand how they want to ‘be’ in this world. We believe that spending uninterrupted time outside brings a deep connection to nature, self, and community. Early childhood education is vital to fostering confident, independent learners, and allows for opportunities to cultivate empathy, positive communication skills, and become lifelong stewards of the environment. At Fern & Feather we bring education & nature together, allowing for powerful experiences to unfold on a daily basis.
Recent studies have found that there are many benefits for children who spend extended periods of time outdoors in unstructured play, including: stronger immune systems, higher grades, longer attention spans, superior problem solving skills and critical thinking skills, increased physical strength and better mental health. Today, as children struggle with persistence, patience, fine motor skills and collaborative skills, children at Fern & Feather Forest School embrace the fabric of our wonderful world through it’s natural beauty, as well as through mud, sticks, wet, cold, liquid sunshine and sunbathing. All this while garnering the ability to endure discomfort, delay gratification, take controlled risks, persist and engage.
Through local partnerships we aim to allow our children uninterrupted time in nature through flow style learning and inquiry-based teaching.
With access to open fields, trails, woods and the Mary’s River, Fern & Feather children will experience weather and their natural environment throughout the seasons.
Children will have the opportunity to climb trees, construct bridges, experience the wet grass between their toes, play camouflage (hide-n-seek) in the tall meadow grass, co-create their play space with tree tents and mud kitchens, create music through discovering different sounds on natural materials, let their imaginations run wild, collaborate on shared ideas, and move through conflict with their peers towards shared understanding.
And don’t forget… children can’t bounce off the walls if there aren’t any!!!
Facilitators
Brian Crosby
Director
Emily McDaniel
Facilitator
Pamela Kolbas
Facilitator
Erika Cook
Facilitator
“This school has been an amazing gift and we are extremely grateful for the experience! Our directors Kyla and Brian deserve special acknowledgement for their courage and insight in bringing this much needed program to our community.”
— FOREST PRESCHOOL PARENT
In the Press
Reach out!
Please reach out to us with any questions! We look forward to romping through the woods with you!
Community Partners
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Philomath Frolic & Rodeo
The Philomath Frolic & Rodeo is a family-oriented entertainment organization focused on our Western heritage and logging industry traditions. We plan and support events that reflect our community's contemporary interests while promoting volunteerism, public involvement, and regional learning. Our commitment extends to fostering genuine community connections and preserving local cultural heritage for future generations.
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Regenerative Roots Community
Regenerative Roots builds communities of connection through experiential, nature-based programs and gathering forums that honor reciprocity and cultivate mentoring. We believe that creating connections with self, others, and nature prepares the soil for all life to grow and thrive. Our work focuses on regenerative practices that restore and revitalize both individuals and communities through intentional, earth-centered approaches.
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Coyle Outside
Coyle Outside is a family-oriented entertainment organization focused on Western heritage and logging industry traditions that built our community. We plan, carry out and support events reflecting contemporary community interests while promoting volunteerism, public involvement, and regional learning. Our Forest Preschool program operates on the southern end of our property, combining outdoor education with community values and environmental stewardship.
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Hand Print Press
Hand Print Press works to restore traditional arts of living to their rightful public role as a medium for growing human culture. We explore how technology and community can strengthen neighborhoods while preserving essential human crafts. Through books, bread, gardening, and teaching, we cultivate common ground where all may flourish, emphasizing craft economy principles and sustainable practices that connect heritage with neighbors.
