CATAWBA, VA FOREST SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Classes offered at our Catawba location:

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0-3 years old- Forest Sprouts- a parent and child 8 week class.

3-4 years old- Forest Seedlings- a weekly drop off class that runs for the duration of the school year.

5-7 years old- Forest Saplings- a weekly drop off class that runs for the duration of the school year. 

8-12 years old- Forest Oaks- a weekly drop off class that runs for the duration of the school year. 

13-17 years old- Summit Adventure Course- a bi-monthly advanced course that runs for the duration of the school year.

The Catawba, VA location is nestled in the Appalachian mountains just minutes from the stunning peaks of the Appalachian Trail including McAfee Knob and Dragon's Tooth. Located on 74 acres, the key features of this private property are mountaintop views, open forest for exploration, shelter building, and fire building, a large field for games, a mud kitchen and picnic area, and a healthy mountain spring. Dozens of forest acres haven't been touched in decades which are teeming with wildlife including wild turkey, black bear, whitetail deer, skunks, raccoons, turtles, and so much more. Not only is the forest filled with natural habitat for animals, but is an oasis for native plants that are abundant for harvesting with the students season after season. VFS Catawba was the first VFS location that opened in 2019.  

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The Forest School Programs of Valley Forest School are focused on nature-based skills including foraging, wild crafting, whittling, fire building, shelter building, and survival skills. Students are immersed in nature on a weekly basis through hikes, nature walks, campfire baking, and foraging for wild edibles. These students experience hands-on primitive skills through knot tying, fire building, local fauna and wildlife identification, and wild crafting.