Forest Schools in Practice: Foundations, Neuroscience, and Program Adaptation – Spring 2026

Forest Schools in Practice

Foundations, Neuroscience, and Program Adaptation

This 4 x 1 hour session professional learning series designed for educators seeking to build, strengthen, or adapt outdoor learning programs.

Participants will explore the core principles of forest school practice, examine the neuroscience behind nature-based learning, and address common challenges faced in outdoor classrooms.

The series also focuses on adapting forest school approaches to conventional educational settings, equipping educators with practical, evidence-informed strategies that can be applied across a wide range of programs and contexts.

Please email accessibility@outdoorlearning.com to let us know if there are any accessibility barriers you face to being included or participating in this course, and we will do our best to accommodate them.

This course includes: 

• 4 x 60 Minute Sessions at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern time on June 3, 10, 17, 24
• These will all be recorded, with the recordings made available to registrants the day after the live session for those who can’t attend live.
• All registrants will receive a Certificate of Completion

Presenter: Erica Hermsen

Erica Hermsen is the Founder and Executive Director of the National Outdoor Learning Alliance (NOLA), a U.S.-based nonprofit advancing academic success and student wellbeing through place-based outdoor learning. She began her work by founding EverWild Forest School in 2019, which has since grown into one of the largest forest schools in the United States and now operates as NOLA’s flagship program.

Erica holds a BA in Environmental Education and an MS in Conservation Biology and brings over a decade of experience in nature-based education, program design, and organizational leadership. Through NOLA, she partners with public schools and community organizations, develops educator training and curriculum, and supports educators nationwide in integrating outdoor learning into mainstream education.

Erica is an experienced presenter and facilitator, having led sessions for national and regional organizations including the National Start Alliance and the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children. Her work has been featured in education-focused podcasts and publications, and she is passionate about supporting educators in building sustainable, inclusive outdoor learning programs.

Session #1: Foundations of Forest School Practice

• What is Forest Schooling – Analyzing different forest school approaches & philosophies (Cedarsong Way, child-led learning, Place-Based Learning, environmental education, etc.); Forest vs Nature Schools; Nature Co-Ops; Nature Play Groups
• Outdoor Educators – Effective practices for outdoor educators; Certification or no certification?; Resources for professional development (book recommendations, curriculum, classes, etc.)
• Effective Outdoor Learning Activities for all ages
• Building community

Session #2: Nature and Neuroscience: Brain Development Through Outdoor Learning

• Why nature play is important
• How outdoor learning improves academics
• Emotional Regulation in the outdoors
• Creating an evidence-based, effective outdoor classroom
• Curriculum development
• Building resiliency

Session #3: Addressing Common Challenges in Outdoor Learning Environments

• Creating a more equitable program – Gear lending library; Scholarships; Developmental/physical accommodations
• Trauma-informed practices
• Risk Management
• Hazardous weather protocols

Session #4: Adapting Forest School Principles for Conventional Educational Settings

• Getting large groups of kids outside
• Schoolyard nature learning
• Bringing nature-based learning inside (activities & approaches)
• Creating an evidence-based, nature-rich classroom

Your contribution:

• Early Bird Registration: $120 ($30/session) until Mar 31 – please select this option if you are able to
• 50% Discounted Registration: $60 ($15/session) – please select this option if price is a barrier
• 25% Additional Discount: For groups of 5 or more using this code at checkout: N945QEAF
• For groups of 10 or more, we can offer larger group discounts. Please check out the group rates here, and email programs@outdoorlearning.com for more info and to register.

Your course fee goes towards supporting our charity in covering the course costs, including ensuring that we compensate the course instructors adequately, and that we can continue to offer learning opportunities like these.

Optional Supplementary Resources for this course: