Children must come to school prepared for whatever the day may bring. In warmer months, cool and light-colored clothing and a sun hat are key. On rainy days, rain gear which includes waterproof rain pants/rain jacket, waterproof rain boots, a rain hat, and rain gloves will make for a successful day. In winter months, two layers (wool or synthetic base layer and a fleece layer) underneath a waterproof snowsuit or snow pants/snow jacket combo as well as a hat and waterproof snow gloves will keep your child comfortable.

Here’s a list of our favorite gear for all seasons in New England.

We love Outdoor School Shop as a one-stop shopping option that offers specific gear lists by region. Some of our favorite brands include Reima, Kuling, Polarn O. Pyret, and Bogs. Many of these can be found secondhand through past families or Facebook Marketplace. We also love Sierra Trading Post for deals on base layers, fleece layers, socks, and boots. Enrolled families will receive specific recommendations for the school year.

We come prepared and we PLAY! Children typically engage in vigorous outdoor play so they usually sweat underneath all their layers and are much warmer than the teachers! We have found that as long as students are dressed properly, the wintertime is one of our favorite seasons for exploration. When the temperatures are very cold, we will likely spend some time indoors (in either our Yurt or Longhouse) for snack, lunch, or play. When temperatures are downright frigid and below 17 degrees (a New England rarity these days), we may decide to close for the day in order to keep everyone safe.

We come prepared and we PLAY! The rain provides an exciting opportunity to collect rainwater, make mud pies and pizzas, splash in puddles, and get very dirty. This is good old-fashioned childhood and we’re here for it. In the proper gear, rainy days can be incredible! We have several covered areas for children to gather for meals and often bring tarps we can hang quickly into the woods with us for cover. We always have the Yurt and Longhouse if we need it, but in warm temperatures, we don’t need it. Thunder and lightning are the only reasons we close for the day in order to keep everyone safe.

Humans have learned through play since we took our first steps as Homo Sapiens. Children are curious by nature and experiment on a moment-by-moment basis. As they play and experiment, they learn everything from social skills to cause and effect. As academic learning continues to be pushed down on early childhood education, it is even more important to commit to play-based learning and allow children to do what they do best. Play is always exciting and joyful and is led by the children themselves.

A child in the mud kitchen pouring rainwater between containers is learning about differences in size and volume, seeing how one container holds all the water while another spills over.

A child at a table with blocks and dolls building a home for them is learning concepts about physics and geometry while creating a story. They are experimenting with plot and character development.

A group of children moving gutters and wood planks into position to maneuver a golf ball through the maze are working on physics and engineering, all while learning how to cooperate, negotiate, and communicate with friends.

A child in the forest searching for animal tracks or signs of animals is learning how to observe and practice patience, how to move quietly and connect the dots of a mystery. They are learning how to wonder and how to ask questions.

Teachers practicing Emergent Curriculum use keen observation skills to glean what they can about the childrens’ interests. They could take any of the learning experiences listed above and create a more focused learning journey. In our forest school setting, topics are often based in ecology or the natural sciences, but the children take us on a wild ride. Past topics include the moon and its phases, drought, storytelling and fantasy, birds and their nests, trees, music, and friendship/love. Teachers provide materials, books, stories, art experiences, and activities, weaving in learning from all aspects of literacy, math, and science when applicable.

Risky or adventurous play includes running, climbing, jumping, spinning, balancing, and much more. Each of these gross motor skills is essential in child development, play a valuable role in later academic learning, help regulate children, and teach incredible social-emotional skills. In practicing these skills on a daily basis in the forest, children grow strong, resilient, confident, and capable.

Mission Statement: "Combined with organic, intellectual learning and the cultivation of a moral compass that includes learning how to become allies in the worldwide struggle for equality and justice, children will emerge from this experience with a strong character, a curious and creative mind, and a generous heart."

We believe that learning about accepting differences in people at an early age can affect how a child perceives these differences later on in life. Some examples of what that may look like in practice: Preschoolers will be exposed to published literature that covers such topics as gay marriage, Trans people, and how every skin color is beautiful. Kindergarteners will hear age-appropriate retellings of the true story of Christopher Columbus and learn about modern racial justice movements through the eyes of Ruby Bridges, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Heartwood is a safe place for people of all backgrounds, skin colors, sexual preferences, religious beliefs, and ethnic heritages. We see color and difference—and we celebrate it in all of its forms.

Forest school takes place outdoors with all of the creatures who reside there—the winged ones, the four-legged, the swimming ones, and yes, us too! We get to see the adventures of Farrah the Fox as she grows her fox family each year and eagerly await our migrating birds when they return in the spring, particularly Bluey, our Great Blue Heron friend. We consider ourselves very lucky to see deer and geese most mornings and the scat and signs of coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, and otters. We understand that this proximity to nature makes some uncomfortable, but we have never been harmed or threatened by any animal at Maple Crest. Teachers are all practiced outdoors people and keep a watchful eye when we are in the forest.

Ticks and mosquitoes are a nuisance we cannot completely avoid. We recommend light-colored pants tucked into socks, tucked-in shirts, and long hair kept back and under a hat. Bug spray is essential. We do not use DEET but recommend using Picaridin-based bug sprays on skin and treating clothes with Permethrin. Both will help keep ticks and mosquitoes at bay. We do daily baths and tick checks to avoid tick bites. For more information, visit our Instagram Story Highlights.