Heartwood: Oaks

Fall 2022 Homeschool •  Heartwood: Oaks  •  Ages 11-15  •  Wednesdays, September 7 - December 14, with breaks on the weeks of October 3-9(for Earthskills Rendezvous) & November 21-27(for Thanksgiving) [13 program days total plus campout]

Overnight Campout dates TBD

New Location - Mobile - For Fall 2022

• Oaks will now drop-off & pick-up ONLY at Haw Creek Commons(younger siblings of the Oaks can ride in our shuttle vans to Shope Creek).
• Each day the Oaks will load up into one of our shuttle vans, head out from there, and return to HCC at the end of the day.
• The program will be limited to a maximum of 13 students so that everyone can fit in the van.
• Some days may still take place at Shope Creek, and some days we may stay at Haw Creek Commons for special projects.
• Trips to surrounding natural areas will be no more than 1 hour drive-time one-way – but it’ll be worth it!

Wednesday Heartwood

Heartwood is the core of our nature-connection curriculum, the trunk from which our other programs branch out.   Heartwood has been carefully crafted since 2011 to provide a progressive learning journey and comprehensive foundation in deeply relating to the natural world.  Through games, stories and exploration children learn:

• Outdoor Safety and Awareness
• Animal Tracking
• Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants
• Wilderness Survival Skills
• Bird Language
• Ancient Crafts
• Ecology, Community, Self-Discovery, and much more

Heartwood: Oaks

Ages 11-15*

Heartwood is divided into three distinct groups:  the Acorns, Saplings, and Oaks.  The Oaks group is designed to provide an opportunity for long-time students to continue challenging themselves in a group of peers who share their level of ability and passion for learning.

* The Oaks is an INVITATION ONLY group designed specifically for long-time students ready for a greater level of challenge.  For more information on the Oaks group, see below.

Qualifications for Invitation

In our efforts to best meet the needs of the ever-maturing youth we work with, we now offer an Oaks option at some of our programs.  The intention of the Oaks group is to provide an opportunity for long-time students to continue challenging themselves in a group of peers who share their level of ability and passion for learning

Admission into the Oaks

There are two main factors in determining whether a child can join the Oaks group.  These are: 

    1.  Age and Experience

    2.  Invitation from a Mentor

            NOTE:  Any child who has previously attended Oaks automatically qualifies for re-admission.

Age and Experience:  For a child to be considered for the Oaks group they must be age 10 - 14, have completed one of our programs at least twice before, and have been involved with Forest Floor for at least one full year.

Invitation from a Mentor:  In place of the qualifying challenges, application processes, or interviews with a mentor as has been done in past seasons we've decided to keep things very simple.  Forest Floor mentors are always monitoring our students and assessing their development and abilities in both our curriculum and the more subtle cultural elements of the programs.  It often becomes very apparent to the mentors when a child is ready to progress to the Oaks group.  They display a core competency in the fundamental skills we teach(fire-making, crafting, wild plant ID, animal tracking and ID, etc.), an enthusiasm for going deeper in those skills, and a base-level understanding of and respect for the cultural values that create the context for the group experience(e.g. listening in a group circle, sharing gratitude, working as a team, being respectful, participating in activities, etc.).

We recognize that all children are on their own trajectory in terms of development in these areas, and it cannot simply be judged by age or time with the programs.  We ask parents to please trust that Forest Floor staff are carefully monitoring your child, and when/if they are ready we will contact you with an invitation to join the Oaks.

What makes an Oak an Oak?

This is a great question, and one we take very seriously.  One of the primary distinctions between Oaks and other groups is the children's ability to be self-directed in their learning. 

There is an expectation that Oaks both stay engaged in the group process while  simultaneously having the freedom to pursue their individual interests. Oaks have a baseline level of proficiency in the outdoor skills we teach(fire-making, shelter building, moving silently, etc.), a solid foundation of the naturalist knowledge we impart(wild edible & medicinal plant ID, animal track & sign, bird language, etc.) and an enthusiasm for the cultural elements we embody(singing, story-telling, listening intently, etc.).  In addition to possessing these baseline proficiencies,  Oaks are both capable and excited to teach younger students some of these fundamental skills.

Underlining all these qualities is an eagerness and curiosity that compels them into greater learning.  By restricting access to Oaks for only those students exhibiting these qualities, we foster a unique learning environment in which those children committed to their nature-connection journey are granted the opportunity to truly excel.