Outdoor Learning Program Strategy Sessions
A focused space to ask real questions and gain practical insight from someone actively building and operating outdoor learning programs.
For educators, founders, and organizations building nature-based programs
Who This Is For
These sessions are for individuals and organizations actively working to build an outdoor or nature-based program, whether you’re in the early stages of an idea or already in the process of launching.
You might be:
An educator or founder starting a forest school, microschool, or hybrid program
A school or organization expanding into outdoor learning
A community leader developing programming for youth
If you’re looking for a real-world understanding of how these programs actually operate beyond theory or inspiration, this is a space to ask thoughtful questions and get honest, experience-based insight from someone actively doing the work.
What’s Included
Each Session includes a one-on-one conversation with the founder and executive director of the National Outdoor Learning Alliance, who brings over 20 years of experience designing, leading, and growing outdoor learning programs across a range of settings, including public schools, microschools and homeschool programs, and forest schools.
Together, we’ll explore your questions, talk through real-world considerations, and draw from practical experience to help you think more clearly about your next steps.
In a Session, We Can Cover
Key decisions around program design, staffing, and operations
Approaches to working with families, schools, and community partners
Lessons learned and common pitfalls
How to think about your program within your specific context
While these sessions are conversation-based and do not include take-home materials, we may point you toward relevant resources during our time together. If you’re looking for curriculum, templates, or tools, those are available separately in our Program Builder Toolkit.
What to Expect
60-minute recorded Zoom session, booked individually as needed
Focused, practical conversation
Honest, experience-based guidance
These sessions are designed to give you clarity and direction so you can move forward with confidence.
Many people choose to book additional sessions as their work evolves, but each session stands on its own.
FAQs
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Unlike courses or generalized training, these sessions are grounded in real-world experience running outdoor learning programs.
The insights shared come from actively operating a variety of outdoor learning approaches from programs like EverWild Forest School, Afterschool Adventurers Club, and Wild Lab.
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$150 per 60-minute session
Sessions are offered at a flat rate and can be booked individually as needed.
All sessions are booked online and confirmed upon payment. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your Zoom link after booking.
Sessions are nonrefundable. If you need to reschedule, please do so at least 24 hours in advance using your confirmation email. Missed sessions or late cancellations will need to be rebooked at the full rate.
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Sessions are designed to be booked individually, and many people choose to schedule follow-ups as their program evolves. You’re welcome to book additional sessions over time as needed.
Sessions are offered at a flat rate, and we do not currently offer discounts for multiple bookings.
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Yes! These sessions are valuable at any stage, not just for those starting from scratch.
Many established programs use sessions to think through specific challenges, refine their structure, or get an outside perspective on decisions they’re navigating. This might include questions around growth, staffing, partnerships, program design, or strengthening the overall experience for students and families.
Whether you’re building something new or evolving an existing program, these sessions offer a space to step back, talk things through, and gain grounded, experience-based insight.
Meet Your Mentor
Erica Hermsen is the founder and executive director of the National Outdoor Learning Alliance and the founder of EverWild Forest School, the first and largest forest school in Idaho’s Treasure Valley.
With over 20 years of experience in environmental education and outdoor programming, Erica has designed and led programs across a wide range of settings—including public schools, microschools and homeschool programs, and fully outdoor forest school environments. Her work focuses on helping children build essential life skills, strengthen academic foundations, and develop a deep connection to the natural world.
Erica holds a Master of Science in Conservation Biology and has worked as an outdoor educator, naturalist, and wildlife educator, including time with a nonprofit cheetah conservation organization in Kenya. Through her leadership at NOLA, she now supports the development and expansion of outdoor learning programs, drawing from real-world experience building and operating programs in her own community.