Forest Friends (ages 3 - 5)
2023 Registration is now open!
$260.00 per semester
*Class size limited to 15 students
Course Overview for Forest Friends:
Cost: $260 per semester
GROW is a small, mostly volunteer operated, nonprofit organization that is committed to keeping costs for education as low as possible while upholding our standards for quality programming. Tuition fees help cover basic operating expenses related to the program such as staffing and supplies used by students (including the costs associated with developing the project site.) A portion of all tuition payments also goes back into Metro Parks department to help sustain our public parks lands for future generations. Funding for other aspects of our organization’s work in the community come from sources such as charitable donations, corporate sponsorship, fundraising efforts, and grants.
GROW seeks to offer environmental enrichment opportunities to all learners, regardless of household income. Please contact us if you are in need of financial assistance.
Age range: Ages 3 to 5 years old.
Time: Wednesdays from 9:00am - 11:00am
Parents please note that this course has a shorter time-frame than the other age group programs.
Date:
Semester 1: April 3rd - June 26th
Semester 2: August 7th - October 30th
Location: Two Rivers Park, Donelson
Content: environmental nomenclature, gross and fine motor skills development, fostering a love of nature, social emotional development
Activity level: HIGH!
Parents, guardians, or primary caregivers must attend with their child
Covid Policy:
The health and safety of our community is our first priority- it's why we started this organization in the first place! We continue to monitor CDC and local guidance related to COVID-19. Currently, we do not require masks for any youth or adults volunteering with us or participating in our programming. As a youth-focused organization, this is consistent with the updated Metro Nashville Public Schools policy ending its universal mask requirements on March 11, 2022. Furthermore, all of our programs are held outdoors, where research has shown the risk of COVID-19 transmission is minimal. That said, out of respect for your fellow community members, we ask that if either you or your child are sick, please stay home until you are feeling better. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
GROW children enjoying the sand pit on site!
In an effort to better achieve our program goals, we have created an environmental program tailored to the specific needs of our youngest learners. This multi-age program will be closely modeled after the forest nature learning programs in Europe. Students will explore the natural areas of the park and forests, take discovery hikes, and self direct their own activities to a large degree. We have intentionally kept our 5 year old learners with this grouping so that they have the opportunity to share their knowledge with younger students entering GROW’s program. Our hope is that this will help them acquire early leadership skills while strengthening their sense of place in the GROW community. As younger students look up to them, they will be the “big kids” who know where to build the best forts, where to find the best fruits, and which trees are best for climbing!