Forest School

Teen Forest Homeschool Program (Ages 12–18)

Teen Forest School

Once-a-Month Nature Mentoring & Wilderness Skills

About Teen Forest School

Teen Forest School is a once-a-month nature immersion program designed to give young people ages 12–18 deeper skills, bigger adventures, and meaningful time outdoors — away from screens and everyday pressures.

Each month, teens step into a new wild space, guided by experienced mentors who help them grow practical wilderness abilities, confidence, and a genuine sense of belonging in the natural world.

This isn’t just outdoor recreation. It’s a mentoring journey built on rhythm, community, and real challenge — the kind that shapes character and resilience.

Why Families Choose Teen Forest School

In these once-a-month gatherings, teens get to:

  • Build advanced wilderness skills and survival knowledge

  • Deepen ecological literacy through plant ID, tracking, and awareness games

  • Gain leadership, teamwork, and self-reliance in a supportive group

  • Take healthy risks and learn to solve problems creatively

  • Experience nature as a place of calm, confidence, and self-discovery

Our teen program mixes bigger adventures with reflective time… building grit and emotional resilience alongside practical skills.

Teen Forest School

Our Locations and Schedule

Teen Forest School meets once a month from October to May, from 9:30–11:30 AM.

Each month is held at a different inspiring location around Greater Houston.

2nd Friday of the Month — The Woodlands

Rob Fleming Recreation Area
6464 Creekside Forest Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77389
A beautiful wooded area with trails, a shallow creek, old growth trees, native plants, bathrooms, and a treehouse-style indoor classroom. Perfect for deeper forest skills and quiet reflection.

Enroll in The Woodlands Teen Forest School

3rd Friday of the Month — Stephen F. Austin State Park

Park Rd 38, San Felipe, TX 77473, Sealy, TX 77474
A diverse state park with nature trails, camping options, a nature center, and abundant wildlife to track and study. An ideal setting for advanced skills and exploration.

Enroll in SFA State Park Teen Forest School

4th Friday of the Month — Spring / Humble

Jesse H. Jones Nature Park
20634 Kenswick Dr, Humble, TX 77338
A stunning preserve with trails, multiple pavilions, a shallow creek beach, rich wildlife, an indigenous village model, and a nature center — perfect for tracking, foraging, and leadership games.

Enroll in Spring Teen Forest School

Schedule & Holidays

Program Dates:

  • Start Week: September 8, 2025

  • End Week: May 18, 2026

Holiday Breaks:

  • Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

  • Thanksgiving Break: November 24–28, 2025

  • Winter Break: December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026

  • MLK Jr. Day: Monday, January 19, 2026

  • Spring Break: March 9–20, 2026

  • Good Friday: April 3, 2026

the woodlands

Our Curriculum

How We Teach and Why it Works

At The Wild School, learning is guided by curiosity, seasons, and the local landscape. For teens, this means real skills, real tools, and real exploration.

We build our curriculum around four core approaches:

Emergent Curriculum

We pay close attention to what captures teens’ interest — maybe building a survival shelter, navigating by the sun, or learning advanced fire techniques — then shape projects and challenges around those sparks.

Coyote Mentoring

Our mentors guide more by asking than telling. Through stories, thought-provoking questions, and gentle coaching, they help teens develop their own insights, observations, and connections. This nurtures critical thinking and true self-driven learning.

Flow Learning

Our time together matches the natural energy arc of teens. We start by sparking curiosity, move into focused challenges and exploration, then wind down with calm reflection — helping them stay engaged, balanced, and regulated.

Place-Based and Seasonal Education

We learn directly from each unique landscape. Teens get to know local plants, wildlife, weather, and ecological cycles through repeated visits and hands-on experiences — making learning deeply personal and memorable.

The Daily Rhythm:

What a Typical Teen Forest School Day Looks Like:

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  • Opening Circle: Gathering, setting goals, sharing stories, and revisiting our agreements for safety, respect, and group cohesion.

  • Activation Game: High-energy awareness games or physical challenges that build trust, strength, and sharp senses.

  • Focus Project: Hands-on work tied to the monthly theme or location — from advanced tracking to fire building, carving, or shelter construction.

  • Snack & Reflection: A pause to eat, journal, tell stories, or simply enjoy a solo sit spot in nature.

  • Free Exploration: Space for teens to follow personal interests — studying plants, wildlife, testing skills, or building something new.

  • Closing Circle: Coming back together to share discoveries, express gratitude, and check in on the goals set at the start.

How to Enroll

Click your preferred location below. This will take you to that site’s specific registration page, where you can see exactly which days are offered each week and the tuition for your chosen schedule.

Steps to register:

  1. Choose Your Preferred Class From Above
  2. Click Register

  3. Choose Your Payment Option
    1. Pay in Full (10% Automatic Discount)
    2. Payment Plan

  4. Complete your registration.
    After you submit your registration and payment, you’ll receive a welcome email with all the next steps.

If you have any questions at any point, please reach out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We’re happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Teen Forest School different from other outdoor programs?

This isn’t just casual recreation or drop-off childcare. It’s a mentoring-based program where teens build real wilderness skills, deepen ecological knowledge, and develop resilience and leadership — all in a supportive peer group.

Is this a full academic program?

No. Teen Forest School is designed to complement homeschool or traditional schooling. It’s where your teen steps out of the classroom to gain practical knowledge, emotional growth, and critical life skills that can’t be learned behind a desk.

My teen is new to wilderness skills — will they be behind?

Not at all. Each day is designed to meet teens where they are. Whether they’ve never used a knife or already love building fires, our mentors guide them at the right pace.

Is this a good fit for neurodiverse teens?

Yes. The program is multi-sensory, flexible, and designed to support different learning styles. Many teens who thrive with movement, hands-on learning, and time to regulate do especially well here. We also keep clear rhythms and expectations. If you’d like to discuss your teen’s needs, we’re glad to help.

What should my teen bring each month?

  • Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, boots, rain gear)
  • Backpack with:
    • Water bottle
    • Snack
    • Journal & pencil (provided on the first day)
  • Extra clothes (especially in muddy seasons)

Is it safe for teens to use knives and build fires?

Yes — because we teach these skills with great care and close supervision. Teens are introduced to tools and fire only when they show readiness and responsibility. We teach respect for tools, not fear.

What happens if there’s bad weather?

Teen Forest School runs in almost all weather — rain, cold, and mud are part of the experience. We only cancel for lightning, flooding, high winds, or severe temperatures. You’ll get as much notice as possible and offered a seasonal make-up day.

Can we try it before signing up for multiple months?

We recommend starting with one monthly session to see if it’s the right fit. Visit the links under each location to check availability and register.

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Simple, Flexible Pricing

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At The Wild School, we believe that immersing children in nature from an early age is not just beneficial but essential for developing a lifelong love of learning and a robust foundation for personal success.

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