Grand River Outdoor Wilderness Education

It makes me feel free and all my troubles go away, really. It is a great opportunity for kids to get outside and spend time. I learn something new everyday from nature and feel that my teachers are there to support me. I have made many best friends at Forest School. It’s the best school ever!

I love GROWE Outdoor School because it is so amazing and makes me so happy. It teaches me things I did not learn before. GROWE so fun. It is my favorite place to go where I feel like me.

Our girls have been part of the Growe Outdoor School Program since its inception in the fall of 2019. We can’t recommend it more highly. Our kids have enjoyed learning about many of the creatures and plants in the forest. They especially love the themed wildlife games, epic hikes and exploring the waterways.
This program gives kids space to be kids. It teaches them to push themselves to try new things and be accountable for their actions. We have noticed a significant increase in their overall resilience since they have been part of GROWE. They love spending time outside in all conditions and have a new found awareness of their place in the ecosystem.
All the instructors have a clear love of nature and a passion for sharing it. Tara puts her whole heart into making GROWE a program that honors each child and celebrates their strengths. We are looking forward to many more years of outdoor learning with Growe!

GROWE has been an incredible experience for our kiddo. She has learned so many new skills and been pushed out of her comfort zone. I love the inclusive and friendly environment GROWE provides for kids.

My two sons have gone to “Forest School” at Growe, various times over the last three years. Oliver absolutely loves going here.
Sending Oliver and Sawyer to school/day camp at GROWE was something that I didn’t have to think twice about. Tara and the other teachers made my work days so much easier to get through, knowing that the boys were so well cared for and were in a learning environment, that was so exciting. My oldest son Oliver, struggled in public school and was homeschooled for a year, while attending GROWE once a week. This was not only my time to plan homeschooling, but also time to work. Oliver and Sawyer THRIVED at GROWE. They love to learn outdoors and are very high energy. They never had anything but high praise for their days at forest school. They could talk the whole drive home, about finding various animals, animal tracks, building forts, playing with friends, snowshoeing, building and learning to cook over fires, the list goes on. Tara and the other staff at GROWE, were incredibly supportive, caring and determined to support not only the boys during their attendance, but find ways to support me, a single parent. It was easy to trust Tara and the other staff and see how much they loved their GROWE kids. I am very thankful for the boys having the opportunity to “learn outside the box” and would recommend it to anyone!

It was fun playing with my friends. I liked going fishing and making a fishing rod. I like the evergreens and being in the forest. Forest school is fun and you meet new people and friends. I like that we get to make choices about what we do every day and have some freedom. I wish GROWE could last longer!

My teachers are so nice. I love going outside and being able to adventure, while at forest school. In the winter, you can sometimes even toboggan! I feel safe here, because everyone makes sure everyone is trying to be kind to each other. I love to build forts in the woods and learn about the different animal tracks that we find. I wish I could go to forest school everyday!

I like GROWE because I really like to go on hikes and learn about animals. I love being outside and around other kids like me!

The teachers are so nice. I like going for a walk through the field.