Wild Child!
Parent-Child Nature Program
For ages 3-7
with their parents
Wild Child offers a unique opportunity for children aged 3-7 years and their parents to share nourishing experiences of nature connection in a supportive community environment. Play, explore, laugh, and learn together!
Children and parents attend Wild Child together to learn and enjoy:
- Outdoor Adventures
- Games
- Songs, Music, and Storytelling
- Experiential Activities and Survival Skills
- Naturalist Skills
- Edible Wild Plants and Teas
- Firemaking and Campfires
- Bird Language
- Nature Crafts
- Healthy snacks
- Building Community
The saying originates from cultures where it is understood that the villagers are already intimately connected to the natural world. Parents in contemporary society not only find themselves increasingly disconnected from “the village” but the connection to nature is often reduced at its best to a few moments of recreation here and there.
WILD CHILD is a program designed to engage BOTH parent and child in nature, sometimes together, and sometimes close by, at their own levels. Parents may learn new skills alongside their children, and sometimes children just play with other children and are engaged by our mentors while their parents participate in crafting, firemaking, learning about plants, or other actitivties.
Parents will be introduced to the concept of the “Coyote Mentoring” model of natural education inspired by traditional earth-based cultures around the world and implemented in the WOLF Kids program, and offered valuable learning about compassionate ways to deeply support their child’s full development.
Nature. Nurture. Community. Fun!
“Playing with Jean Claude and Ingrid in the forest has shown me that
this is not only fun, but it is also how we will survive as a species.”
~ Melanie Furman
“Working with the mentors through the Wild Child program has been so much fun.
But more profoundly, it has shifted the dynamic of our family toward a place of greater meaning.
The mentors complement each other as a mentoring team, bringing their different and individual gifts together. The Wild Child program has gently guided us all to connect more deeply to our community, each other and the natural world.”
~ Mike de Roos
“Wild Child was the beginning of a deep nature connection journey for my daughter, my partner, our family. We had freshly moved and the connection that happens at Wild Child was just what we needed in our transition.
Gratitude, song, nature awareness games, exploration and story weave the fabric of the day and nurture both child and adult alike. Gratitude to Ingrid, Jean-Claude and the wonderful mentors for sharing their dedication to deep connection with nature, people and community.”
~ Leanna Boyer
Friday Mornings: Fridays 9:30am-12:30pm (most weeks correspond with the SD64 calendar, ie: no Wild Child on instructional Fridays. Dates below).
Wild Child runs a Fall season and a Spring season.
Fridays usually correspond with 64 calendar with occasional exceptions :
FALL 2024 (9 sessions):
Sept 27; Oct 4, 11, 25; Nov 1, 8, 22 and 29; Dec 6
SPRING 2025 (12 sessions):
Feb 7, 14, 28; March 7, 14; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 9, 16, 30
Sign up for just one series or sign up for both now to assure your space and save 10%!
Families may join during the year IF space allows, however this is not a drop-in program; we ask a commitment till the end of the session.
The Spring session may fill in the Fall already.
Where: Various beautiful natural locations (including our home base camp), primarily in the south end of Salt Spring Island.
You will receive an email on Thursday afternoons with location details for Friday (as location is often weather dependent).
Cost (same as last 2 years):
One child plus parent/caregiver:
FALL SESSION: Starts September 27, 2024: $435 plus GST
SPRING SESSION: Starts February 7, 2025: $575 plus GST
Two children (ages 3+) plus parent/caregiver:
FALL SESSION: Starts September 27, 2024: $525 plus GST
FALL SESSION: Starts February 7, 2025: $695 plus GST
Installment payment plans available.
Younger Siblings 2 and under are free.
Cost includes a light healthy organic snack.
Please read our Cancellation Policy on the registration portal.
Contact us in Advance if you are considering bringing a younger child to explore whether it feels like a fit for your family.
SPACE IS LIMITED.
Register Now to avoid disappointment as this program often fills.
