Rooted Wisdom - Forest School for Seniors

Our Forest School for Seniors honors the deep wisdom that comes with life experience while nurturing continued growth, curiosity, and connection to the natural world. In partnership with your senior living community, we offer a unique opportunity for adults to engage in meaningful outdoor learning that celebrates both individual stories and collective knowledge. For many participants this is an opportunity to move from being a senior citizen to a valued and revered elder in a Nature Based Community.

What Makes This Special

Intergenerational Teaching: Seniors become both learners and teachers, sharing traditional ecological knowledge and life skills
Gentle Adventure: Nature exploration adapted to varied mobility levels and interests
Seasonal Rhythms: Programs that honor natural cycles and seasonal wisdom
Community Building: Fostering deep connections through shared outdoor experiences
Holistic Wellbeing: Supporting physical, emotional, and spiritual health through nature immersion

Program Elements

Nature Sit Spots: Personal reflection spaces for observation and contemplation
Bird Language: Learning to read the landscape through bird behavior and calls - understanding the "news of the forest" and what our feathered neighbors tell us about the world around us
Storytelling Circles: Sharing life experiences and traditional knowledge around the fire
Gentle Foraging: Learning about edible and medicinal plants with safety adaptations
Weather Awareness: Embracing all seasons with appropriate clothing and shelter
Carving: Traditional woodworking skills using hand tools, creating functional items and art pieces while connecting with ancestral crafts and the meditative rhythm of working with natural materials
Nature Walks: Slow, mindful explorations that honor different mobility levels while discovering the stories written in tracks, plants, and seasonal changes
Craft & Skills: Traditional making activities using natural materials
Wildlife Observation: Patient watching and learning from our non-human neighbors

The Forest School Approach for Seniors

We believe that learning never stops and that nature is our greatest teacher at every stage of life. Our program recognizes that seniors bring invaluable knowledge while remaining curious, capable, and deserving of new experiences. Through risk-benefit assessment appropriate for older adults, we create opportunities for meaningful challenge and growth.

Benefits

Enhanced physical activity in natural settings
Reduced isolation through community connection
Cognitive stimulation through hands-on learning
Stress reduction and improved mental health
Opportunities to share wisdom and feel valued
Connection to seasonal rhythms and natural cycles