FOREST SCHOOL 2024
Welcome to The Forest School at All You Need, where children discover the wonders of nature through immersive, hands-on experiences. Our curriculum is rooted in play-based learning and exploration, allowing kids to develop sensory awareness and forge meaningful connections with the natural world and each other.
JOIN Us for an OPEN HOUSE Sept 7th 9am – 3pm where you can learn more about our program, meet our educators, and tour our facilities for free!
The Forest School at All You Need now offers 3 programs:
Spores: Ages 2-4 // Drop-in // Parents stay w/ children // $5 // Mondays & Saturdays 10am – 11:30am
Songs, crafts, sensory activities to engage your toddler with the natural world around them.
Sprouts: Ages 5-9 // Play-based learning // Mondays & Saturdays 10am – 1pm
Games, hands-on activities, storytelling, and creative problem solving.
Instars: Ages 10-14 // Skill-based Learning // Saturdays 10am – 3pm
Practical, hands-on skill building and experiments in the natural and applied sciences
We prioritize both structured activities and unstructured play time, fostering creativity, self-expression, and problem-solving skills. Our program builds confidence, resilience, and independence while emphasizing collaboration, good decision making, and effective communication. Children learn practical outdoor and survival skills alongside natural sciences and practical engineering concepts.
Through each season, students connect with the rhythms of the seasons and develop a deep appreciation for the environment. We encourage storytelling, arts and crafts, and local cultural history exploration to nurture creativity and self-expression. Our child-led learning approach empowers kids to follow their curiosity and take responsibility for their discoveries.
We also focus on emotional and cognitive development, helping children build strong relational skills and a practice of gratitude. By learning to steward natural resources, our students become responsible caretakers of the environment. Our forest school creates lasting memories, new friendships, and instills a lifelong love for nature, preparing children to be confident, capable, and environmentally conscious individuals.
Kids are asked to bring their own lunch with them which we will eat together during our adventure. Parents are welcome to stay on site during the school program, we have wifi available, trails to explore, and hammocks area to relax in while the children learn.
When?
>Spores (ages 2-4) & Sprouts (ages 4-9) Monthly on Mondays & Saturdays 10am – 1pm
Saturdays: Sept 21, Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec 7, Jan 11
Mondays: Sept 30, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16, Jan 27
>Instars (Ages 10-14) on Alternate Saturdays 10am – 3pm
Saturdays: Sept. 28, Oct 26, Nov 23, Dec 14, Jan 25
Cost?
SPROUTS 1x/month (Saturdays OR Mondays): $144 before Aug 30th, $159 after
SPROUTS 2x/month (Saturdays & Mondays): $270 before Aug 30th, $302 after
Drop-in rate: $35/session/student
INSTARS 1x/month; Saturdays 10am- 3pm : $243 before Aug 30th, $269 after
Drop-in rate: $55/session/student
SPORES is a new program for kiddos ages 2-4 and we ask for $5 drop-in–no registration required, but we ask that parents stay with. the kids for the activities.
For Sprouts, we will maintain a drop-in rate of $35/session and for Instars the cost is $55/session for those unable to sign-up for the entirety of the program, and we encourage families to sign up early to save on costs. Use the code EARLYBIRD at check out until Aug 30th to get 10% off.
Our Educator
Jordan Bantuelle co-founded the All You Need Institute (AYNI), where he teaches people how to provide for basic needs in ways that restore ecosystems and build community. He is a native New Orleanian who graduated with a degree in biology from LSU, where he entered the world of environmental organizing. For 5 years prior to AYNI, Jordan co-operated Southbound Gardens, selling produce and edible starter plants, and leading adult urban farming workshops and school garden programs.
Jordan manages the 111 acres at AYNI, restoring the uplands to a pine savannah, primarily through prescribed burning and thinning out trees which he mills into lumber. He is also the primary builder, always exploring more natural and alternative methods. Jordan oversees the homestead and farming operations personally and by managing volunteers and residents of the AYNI intentional community. He teaches the skills he practices on site and as a guest speaker, including foraging wild foods, growing veggies and mushrooms, keeping bees and chickens, composting, building, prescribed fire, permaculture design, water management systems, survival and outdoor skills, and much more. Jordan is also the lead teacher of the AYNI Forest School, a play based, sensory experience to get kids in touch with nature in a collaborative way.
Want to stay overnight?
For students coming from a distance, we encourage overnight stays before and/or after sessions! You can book any of our 5 campsites or two lodging options here.
Ready to register? Fill out the form below. Your spot is secured once payment has been received.
Know a family who might be interested? Please help us spread the word by sharing our flyer.
If you have any questions at all, please email info@allyouneedinstitute.com