Fall starts in mid-September and goes until December. Winter starts a couple weeks into January and goes through end of March. Spring Session begins in April and goes through the beginning of June. Summer programs start when school is out (mid-June) and are subject to weather and staff availability.

HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS

Students discover the challenge and inspiration of learning from life through awareness, investigation and play. Longer programs allow for deeper exploration, discovery and opportunity for projects and focused skills. We accept Charter Funds!

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

A chance to engage with friends in natural settings, balance screen and classroom time with sensory, physical and metal wellness time: sitting by a creek, walking through the trees, noticing the wind, sun and water soothes the soul.

FOREST PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

Children growing into some independence will enjoy this opportunity to explore, play and connect in natural settings. Our programs focus on whole body natural learning rhythms that allow children to discover themselves, each other and the planet.

BILINGUAL PROGRAMS

We invite children to explore, learn and play outside with us in Spanish! Every week we explore wild places around our communities and gain awareness, knowledge, self reliance and social skills. Our bilingual instructors are skilled naturalists, educators and mentors.

INTERMEDIATE SKILLS

Is your child ready to practice more intermediate nature-based skills? This program is best suited for children who have experience in nature and are capable of more focused skills and adventurous hiking.

SUMMER CAMPS

Week-long day camps, each day visiting different wild places to explore and learn about our local ecosystems. Usually involving beaches or swimming holes, and always a fun opportunity to be with friends and deepen the programs we offer during the rest of the year.

RITE OF PASSAGE

This is an opportunity for your child to step into the transition from childhood to adolescence feeling empowered and supported, exploring friendships, family, self and the world together.

SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS

We partner with schools to offer environmental education programs for their students. Programs include school field trips and extended learning opportunities that are in line with classroom goals. Contact us for more info.

NATURE THERAPY

Ventura Wild and Children’s Therapy Network (CTN) are in partnership to provide a program focused on group therapy in nature. Led by a Ventura Wild educator and licensed CTN therapist, children participating gain sensory, communication, motor and cognitive development.

FAMILY EVENTS & HIKES

Our education team provides family events, workshops and guided hikes through Ventura Land Trust’s public events. Come join us for tide pooling, birding, night hikes and so much more! View our upcoming events here.

Experiential Learning: Forest Preschool is centered around hands-on experiential learning. Students embrace their curiosities, forming questions that then guide them to their discoveries. Instructors are there to encourage this process, to support students building interpersonal skills to problem-solve such as communication and cooperation.

Emotional and Social Development: Students are encouraged to recognize and communicate their emotions. This awareness supports their self care routines and their relationships with each other.

Risk-Taking: Students are also encouraged to assess and take calculated risks, building spatial and motor skills. For example, students are taught the risks around tree climbing. With this awareness, they are then able to discover their ability and grow their comfort level within these parameters. With a 4:1 ratio, instructors are there every step of the way. Introducing risk-taking at this young age builds their resilience and improves their judgement that they will carry throughout their lives.

Deepening a Relationship with Nature: Because our program is held in nature, students build a deep and lasting relationship with their environment. Witnessing the same animals and plants each day, we gain an understanding and therefore friendship with them. An early relationship with nature grows respect that lasts a lifetime.

Registration is open about a month before programs begin, except summer programs. Summer registration opens about in March. Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay up to date with our registration announcements.

Your child needs to be potty trained prior to beginning program with us. Minor assistance and occasional accidents are OK. We practice environmentally conscious nature pees/poos and there is also a public restroom on location, where we provide toilet seat covers and toddler seats.

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Visit the scholarship page here.

Review our cancellation policy here.

Review our locations here.

Review the item list here.

Behavior policy pdf click here. Generally children are excited and happy to participate in our programs, and we don’t really have behavior issues. We keep kids involved, and inspired, and their needs both physically and emotionally are met by caring attentive staff. We set clear agreements at the beginning of each week as a group, and review how we are doing through the week. We address issues that come up immediately and are able to discuss solutions and practice good communication skills.

We typically enjoy whatever weather comes our way, but sometimes conditions are not safe for one reason or another and we need to cancel. We will let you know by noon on the day of the program. If that is too late for your logistical needs, please let us know, or contact Lead Staff for updates about potential cancellation.

During our programs we teach the kids nature awareness and make agreements to respect and give space to wild creatures of all kinds. We do tick checks regularly, and we learn to keep our eyes open and our feet and hands in view. Usually large groups of kids send wildlife scampering for hiding.

What happens in a day of Ventura Wild?

9:00 Drop-off

9:10 Introductory Activity/Game (usually a form of movement)

9:30 Opening Circle – Sharing and Snack time

9:45 Bathroom Break

10:00 Exploratory Activities (integrating learning with nature – science, counting, colors, senses..)

11:30 Lunch + StoryTime

11:45 Bathroom Break

12:00 Open Nature Exploration and Play

12:45 Reflect on the Day

1:00 Pick-Up

Generally, we start with games and group activities to get out the wiggles. Then we gather for a circle share. After that, we cycle through explorations, skills, group and alone time, and we end with a circle share of our day. Days are child-centered and place-based. We focus on the moment, not the goal, and we direct the group to find inspiration and curiosity in ways that are fun and meaningful to each person. We do lots of asking questions, wondering, wandering, collecting treasures, digging holes, splashing in the water, and playing with sticks and stones. Strangely the children learn so much! Depending on the age we might pose questions and model concern, problem solving, and investigation. We all are challenged and engaged.

Though we maintain core routines to create familiarity, we allow great flexibility within our ‘schedule’ to allow space for creativity and following spontaneous moments in nature.

Email: venturawild@venturalandtrust.org

Phone: 805-643-8044 ext. 4

Ventura Land Trust main office: 805-643-8044

Ventura Wild Forest Preschool Program is not a licensed or accredited preschool, since preschool licensing is based on a building / structure. Our Forest Preschool is thus a “Program”, not a “School”. “Forest Preschools” are now accredited in Washington State, but California is lagging behind. That being said, Ventura Wild has highly qualified instructors and clearly defined best practice standards in the field of nature based early childhood and social emotional development. We are constantly seeking and applying the latest research and international practices in the profession, and all staff strive for excellence that is reflected in the children’s daily experiences with us.