TOLEDO COLLABORATIVE FOREST SCHOOL
Forest School Sessions
Our co-op gathers once a week, year-round, for three-hour sessions on a weekday morning in the same woodland just outside Toledo, Ohio.
The exact day and start time are chosen each school year by current families and are not made public. The location is kept private for family safety, but we are accessible from Holland, Perrysburg, Waterville, Whitehouse, Swanton, Wauseon, and surrounding areas.
Each three-hour morning includes arrival, open exploration, and a gentle close.
What a Session Feels Like
Each morning follows a simple, flexible rhythm. Short opening and closing routines bookend the day, while the majority of the time is open for children to explore, create, and follow their own curiosities in the woods. Adult invitations are offered but never required.
Open exploration might include:
Building complex structures
Observing animals
Using real tools
Creating imaginative worlds
Focused investigations
Quiet observation of the land
Our mixed-age group means children naturally learn from one another — younger ones through observation, older ones through leadership, collaboration, and care.
Children are encouraged to take age-appropriate risks — using real tools, climbing, exploring near water, and testing their physical limits in the woods.
Because we keep the group intentionally small, the adult-to-child ratio stays high and every child is known and seen throughout the morning.
We are fellow parents learning alongside our children. We take a facilitative role — modeling curiosity, offering optional invitations, and supporting children as they explore. Children are never required to join an activity.
Parents remain present and engaged throughout the session;
this is a true co-op, not a drop-off program.
Coming Prepared
We are a true all-weather program and meet in rain, snow, cold, and heat. Families come ready with layered clothing, waterproof outer layers, and sturdy boots so everyone can stay comfortable and fully engaged.
The woods offer different invitations with each season:
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fires and active games in the cold
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tool use and fine-motor challenges in warmer weather
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mud play and shelter-building on rainy days
Families bring their own snacks and drinks. Children eat whenever they feel hungry or ready for a break — there is no set snack time.