Inspired by the Forest Schools found in Europe, Eastern Ridge’s “Forest Days” are one of the most distinctive parts of our program.
Once a week, each class visits either Wolf Trap National Park or “Far Away Hill” for a day of adventure in the woods. These outings are organized and led by Vanessa, our Forest Guide, and accompanied by the group’s regular teachers.
Though best known for its performing arts center, Wolf Trap boasts several low-elevation hiking trails that take our intrepid hikers through acres of towering woods, over a creek, and past a large pond. Students often encounter a variety of birds and insects as well as turtles and deer. Don’t be surprised if your child comes home talking of “Hans’s House,” a special place beloved by Eastern Ridge students where imaginations run wild.
Our Acorn class spends half a day at Wolf Trap, returning to school before lunch and nap. (Caretakers are responsible for transferring their children.) Early Childhood students spend the full day at the park, eating lunch and napping in the open air of the Children’s Theatre.
On alternating weeks, students hike to Far Away Hill, which abuts the school’s property. There, they may climb the “spider web,” balance on logs, swing in hammocks, muse over the source of mysterious animal tracks, build shelters, practice mindfulness, cook over a campfire, and engage in the deep flow of imaginative play.
Note that during the coldest months of the year, we assess conditions carefully, and sometimes modify our Forest Days schedule in favor of Far Away Hill so that children can eat lunch and nap indoors.
Example of an email sent to parents following a visit to Far Away Hill, October 2025:
The group had a very busy day at Far Away Hill! On the way out, we spread some milkweed seeds that Louisa gifted to us, splitting the pods open and blowing the seeds in Bird Lane. After gathering for a snack, everyone hurried to play with the hammocks. These are always a huge hit! There was a lot of cooperative turn taking and negotiating involved in swinging and pushing together. Some friends said that they felt like seeds in a pod, which led to an impromptu song about what it feels like to wait for spring — how fitting!!
While most of the group hung out in the hammocks, some were hard at work imitating the landscapers next door by “cutting down trees” with various sticks that were being used as drills and other tools. Slowly, the tree cutting crew grew larger and the imaginative play expanded. This led to the discovery of a HUGE leaf pile that was made yesterday when the neighbors did some yard work.
Our time in the leaf pile was so special! Rarely do we get the opportunity to play in a pile so huge that the entire class can fit in and more. The sensory experience of smelling the damp leaves and fresh pine needles, hearing the rustling as the group moved about, and feeling their bodies sink in as if they were laying on memory foam was so grounding!
The leaf pile naturally invited rough and tumble play, which provided opportunities for a different kind of learning. This play is so beneficial for physical and social-emotional development, and it takes a lot of practice to do it in a way that is safe for everyone. Here is a great article on the benefits of rough and tumble play.
Just as the play was increasing in intensity and needed to be brought down a level, something magical happened… we noticed a tiny moth had landed on someone’s hand! Big movement and fast beating hearts slowed down to observe this tiny creature as it crawled from friend to friend. It was mesmerizing to see how this tiny, delicate creature was able to immediately regulate a large group of rambunctious preschoolers. Nature is truly magical!
The moth eventually flew off and was a perfect signal from nature that it was time for us to clean up and head back for lunch.