We host several ongoing Forest School groups where kids have the opportunity to build deep connections with place and one another in a safe yet challenging environment facilitated by our mentors. We give kids a taste of the wild, play games, learn the complexities of ecological systems, and get in touch with our animal senses. We believe that kids need wild places, and that wild places need caring kids!
Kids get to explore the beautiful woods, waters, meadows – and even caves! – of Coyote Holler, our magical Forest School home. We play games that activate all of our senses, meet plants and share their stories, craft with our hands using wild materials, cook with fire, look for animal signs and learn the basics of bird language, and reconnect with our wild roots!
Our single day adventures for different age ranges offer a taste of what we explore in our ongoing Forest School, where the same group of kids and mentors meet every other week over an extended period to build skills, stories, and relationships.
Coyote Holler is about 200 acres of beautiful and diverse land located approximately 25 minutes from Berea, KY (by vehicle), about 10 minutes from the I-75 Mt Vernon exit. We'll send you detailed directions upon registration!
Forest School
Our ongoing Forest School meets every other week, and is a place for kids to really discover themselves and their relationships with the living world. Our approach is inspired by Jon Young (founder of the Wilderness Awareness School) and the Coyote Mentoring methods of nature immersion, the art of questioning, and integrating experiences through story. From morning until late afternoon a small group of kids and mentors gather in Coyote Holler to explore, play games, build primitive shelters, cook over a fire, craft with our hands, share stories, listen to bird language, get to know our plant neighbors, inhabit our bodies and all of our senses, and build confidence and a sense of belonging within a larger ecology and community of place.
We currently offer sessions for 8 - 12 year olds and 4 - 7 year olds. Please contact us to let us know if your kids would like to join us, and we’ll do our best to make it happen!
Late Winter - Early Spring Term:
Bobcats (ages 8-12):
Alternate Sundays, 9 - 5
January 12
January 26
(note: no Forest School on February 9)
February 23
March 8
March 22
Coyote Pups (ages 4-7):
Alternate Mondays, 10 - 5
January 13
January 27
(note: no Forest School on February 10th)
February 24
March 9
March 23
We ask for a commitment to each term in advance...see below for registration forms, cost, and scholarship opportunities.
These are full-day experiences, running from 9-5 for the older group, 10-5 for the younger. We provide lunch and snacks made from all-local and organically grown ingredients (another way we can connect with the land and deepen our sense of place!)--be sure to fill out the registration forms as soon as possible to let us know if there are any dietary restrictions we should be aware of.
Forms:
Please complete the following forms (you can download and fill them out on your computer in Adobe Acrobat, or print them if you prefer) and return them to us digitally at riseandrootrewilding@gmail.com or by mail at:
Kentucky Heartwood
RE: Rise & Root Rewilding Project
P.O. Box 1486
Berea, KY 40403
Registration forms and waiver
Forms and payment/scholarship applications must be received no later than the Wednesday prior to the first session in order to participate. And remember, we have limited space, so register early to ensure a spot!
Cost:
For our Forest School program, we ask that people pay at a level that takes into consideration their income and ability and the benefits to their kids, so that these program offerings can be sustainable. Thank you for helping to build a culture where equity matters!
It takes a lot to keep our Forest School going, and we appreciate that our members invest in these experiences. We ask for a sliding scale donation (tax deductible) of $30 - $100 for each day in the term: for the Late Winter - Early Spring Term, this is $150 - $500 for the 5 sessions. This is for full 7 - 8 hour days of immersive wilderness adventure and education, guided by mentors, and includes all-local and organic meals and snacks. Your registration fee also include a free membership to Kentucky Heartwood (please let us know if you'd like to opt out). Please use the 'donate' button below, and thank you so much for being part of Rise & Root!
Late Winter - Early Spring Term:
Bobcats (ages 8-12):
Alternate Sundays, 9 - 5
January 12
January 26
(note: no Forest School on February 9)
February 23
March 8
March 22
Coyote Pups (ages 4-7):
Alternate Mondays, 10 - 5
January 13
January 27
(note: no Forest School on February 10th)
February 24
March 9
March 23
We ask for a commitment to each term in advance...see below for registration forms, cost, and scholarship opportunities.
These are full-day experiences, running from 9-5 for the older group, 10-5 for the younger. We provide lunch and snacks made from all-local and organically grown ingredients (another way we can connect with the land and deepen our sense of place!)--be sure to fill out the registration forms as soon as possible to let us know if there are any dietary restrictions we should be aware of.
Forms:
Please complete the following forms (you can download and fill them out on your computer in Adobe Acrobat, or print them if you prefer) and return them to us digitally at riseandrootrewilding@gmail.com or by mail at:
Kentucky Heartwood
RE: Rise & Root Rewilding Project
P.O. Box 1486
Berea, KY 40403
Registration forms and waiver
Forms and payment/scholarship applications must be received no later than the Wednesday prior to the first session in order to participate. And remember, we have limited space, so register early to ensure a spot!
Cost:
For our Forest School program, we ask that people pay at a level that takes into consideration their income and ability and the benefits to their kids, so that these program offerings can be sustainable. Thank you for helping to build a culture where equity matters!
It takes a lot to keep our Forest School going, and we appreciate that our members invest in these experiences. We ask for a sliding scale donation (tax deductible) of $30 - $100 for each day in the term: for the Late Winter - Early Spring Term, this is $150 - $500 for the 5 sessions. This is for full 7 - 8 hour days of immersive wilderness adventure and education, guided by mentors, and includes all-local and organic meals and snacks. Your registration fee also include a free membership to Kentucky Heartwood (please let us know if you'd like to opt out). Please use the 'donate' button below, and thank you so much for being part of Rise & Root!
Scholarships
Thanks to the Kentucky Foundation for Women and their Art Meets Activism grant, and donations from individuals who believe in the importance of nature connection, we’re able to offer a limited number of scholarships for Forest School participants. It matters so much to us that any kid who’s passionate about participating has the opportunity! (If you'd like to donate to our scholarship fund, please use the button above and specify 'scholarship fund' with your donation.)
We have full and partial scholarships available to make our programs accessible to any kid with a passion to be part of Rise & Root; we never want money to be an impediment to participation!
Please use the form below to tell us a bit about your child, or have them tell us a bit about themselves, and why being part of the Rise & Root Rewilding Project’s Forest School is important.
We have full and partial scholarships available to make our programs accessible to any kid with a passion to be part of Rise & Root; we never want money to be an impediment to participation!
Please use the form below to tell us a bit about your child, or have them tell us a bit about themselves, and why being part of the Rise & Root Rewilding Project’s Forest School is important.
Single-day Adventures
When we schedule more single day adventures, we'll share them here. If you'd like to be kept up to date by email, email riseandrootrewilding@gmail.com with 'newsletter' in the subject line. You can also follow us on facebook for news and events--and please check out our Forest School offerings below!
Please complete the following forms (you can download and fill them out on your computer in Adobe Acrobat, or print them if you prefer) and return them to us at digitally at riseandrootrewilding@gmail.com or by mail at:
Kentucky Heartwood
RE: Rise & Root Rewilding Project
P.O. Box 1486
Berea, KY 40403
Registration forms and waiver
Forms must be received no later than the Wednesday prior to events in order to participate – and please, the earlier the better.
Please complete the following forms (you can download and fill them out on your computer in Adobe Acrobat, or print them if you prefer) and return them to us at digitally at riseandrootrewilding@gmail.com or by mail at:
Kentucky Heartwood
RE: Rise & Root Rewilding Project
P.O. Box 1486
Berea, KY 40403
Registration forms and waiver
Forms must be received no later than the Wednesday prior to events in order to participate – and please, the earlier the better.
Adult Workshops
We also offer occasional classes for adults who would like to deepen their connection to the wild world and develop ancestral skills such as foraging, cordage-making, basketry, etc.
Sunday, April 7th, 10:00 - 4:00
Wild Plant Fibers and Natural Cordage Making
Cost: $20
In this class oriented toward adults, we'll explore a variety of natural materials traditionally used for functional and decorative cordage, learn the basic reverse wrap ply cordage making process, demonstrate several methods of preparation for different plant materials, and engage each participant in making their own cordage.
We'll spend part of our time meeting the plants we'll be working with and harvesting materials while walking through the holler and enjoying the beautiful meadows, forests, springs, and rock shelters. Wear comfortable hiking shoes, bring a water bottle, and be prepared to sweat a little bit on the hike back out of the holler at the end!
To register, please complete the following forms (you can download and fill them out on your computer in Adobe Acrobat, or print them if you prefer) and return them to us digitally at riseandrootrewilding@gmail.com or by mail at:
Kentucky Heartwood
RE: Rise & Root Rewilding Project
P.O. Box 1486
Berea, KY 40403
Registration forms and waiver
Forms must be received no later than the Wednesday prior to the event in order to participate. We can only accept a small number of participants, so please register early to ensure a spot!
Email Xyara at riseandrootrewilding@gmail.com with any questions.
Please use the button below to make a donation to cover your registration cost. Thank you!
Sunday, April 7th, 10:00 - 4:00
Wild Plant Fibers and Natural Cordage Making
Cost: $20
In this class oriented toward adults, we'll explore a variety of natural materials traditionally used for functional and decorative cordage, learn the basic reverse wrap ply cordage making process, demonstrate several methods of preparation for different plant materials, and engage each participant in making their own cordage.
We'll spend part of our time meeting the plants we'll be working with and harvesting materials while walking through the holler and enjoying the beautiful meadows, forests, springs, and rock shelters. Wear comfortable hiking shoes, bring a water bottle, and be prepared to sweat a little bit on the hike back out of the holler at the end!
To register, please complete the following forms (you can download and fill them out on your computer in Adobe Acrobat, or print them if you prefer) and return them to us digitally at riseandrootrewilding@gmail.com or by mail at:
Kentucky Heartwood
RE: Rise & Root Rewilding Project
P.O. Box 1486
Berea, KY 40403
Registration forms and waiver
Forms must be received no later than the Wednesday prior to the event in order to participate. We can only accept a small number of participants, so please register early to ensure a spot!
Email Xyara at riseandrootrewilding@gmail.com with any questions.
Please use the button below to make a donation to cover your registration cost. Thank you!