EverWild Forest School is NOLA’s flagship program serving children ages 18 months through 14 years in Idaho’s Treasure Valley through seasonal camps, school-year programs, and homeschool enrichment offerings.
About
Launched in 2019, EverWild Forest School has become one of the largest and most established forest schools in the country. It serves as NOLA’s “boots on the ground”—a place to field-test outdoor learning approaches, policies, and practices while providing high-quality educational experiences to over 300 children each year.
Students spend their days outdoors, learning through exploration, play, and guided experiences that support both academic growth and essential life skills.
Impact
At a time when many children spend increasing hours indoors and on screens, EverWild Forest School offers a meaningful alternative. Through place-based education and hands-on outdoor learning, students build leadership skills, environmental literacy, and strong social-emotional foundations.
EverWild is designed to support the development of capable, resilient learners who feel connected to their communities and the natural world.
To date, EverWild has:
Served over 2,000 children across Southwestern Idaho
Provided more than $50,000 in tuition assistance to increase access for under-resourced families
Reduced barriers to participation by providing high-quality outdoor clothing to students who need it
Given enrolled students the opportunity to spend up to 2,500 hours outdoors annually
EverWild students report increased confidence and self-esteem as a result of participation
In addition to its direct impact on students, EverWild serves as a working model for how high-quality outdoor learning can be implemented and expanded to reach more communities.
Looking to Build a Program Like This?
EverWild Forest School and our partner programs serve as real-world models for how outdoor learning can be designed and implemented across a range of settings.
If you’re outside of the Treasure Valley and exploring how to build something similar in your own community, we offer opportunities to learn from our experience.