The Woods
-a place of Ecological Belonging
An Experiential Nature Connection and Mentoring Program designed for homeschool kids 6yrs – 17yrs, and their families!
***REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN – PLEASE SEE DETAILS BELOW!***
The Woods is an evolving and dynamic expression of relationality and gratitude that honors a strong lineage of nature connection and indigenous wisdom. We offer our thanks to indigenous cultures worldwide that are deeply rooted in and continue to cultivate mentoring models for being in right relationship with more than human kin and the concentric circles of support holding them. Our program is most directly informed and inspired by these knowings, as well as with a weaving of our own framework, The FireTender’s Journey, and with shared teachings such as the Art of Nature Awareness Mentoring, or “Coyote Teaching.” We offer our gratitude to all of the contemplative experiences, influences, and characters, as well as to all who have welcomed and invited others along their journey in meaningful ways, seen and unseen. As we integrate forward, we recognize and value the concentric spheres of influence that connect us to our ancestors as well as to our future generations.
In The Woods, we engage heart and mind by optimizing the conditions that foster deep nature connection and an expansive sense of interconnectedness. Fire Tending serves as an over-arching metaphor that connects mentoring with hands-on skills, igniting curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
Inviting a spark, tending it, and encouraging its growth, is what fire tenders do. And when we apply those same practices to our relationships – as friends, as mentors, as stewards of the land – we create opportunities of awareness, to see and be seen, to dance within reciprocity. Pausing to reflect and connect invites us to feel the wild within us. The more we look, the more we see. And when we truly see one another, we open our hearts to compassion.
We view nature connection as an emotional-neurological experience that is created by weaving nature education (e.g. ecology, biology), skills-based activities (e.g. fire making, shelter building), and relational awareness (e.g. mentoring, tracking) into a story of the day. Thus, nature connection is a way of Being that enhances emotional intelligence, stimulates neurological pathways, and paves pathways to discover our individual and collective gifts and vision.
Specifically, The Woods cultivates regenerative practices and skills across 8 core focus areas:
Nature Connection
(through Deep Listening, tap into intuitive ways of being, becoming, and belonging)
Holistic Tracking
(elevate tracking of both internal and external landscapes)
Subsistence Skills
(explore naturalist and nature craft)
Mentoring
(hone the art of questioning, activate all ways of knowing)
Peacemaking
(engage your empathy, compassion, love)
Storytelling
(catch stories, weave threads of discovery)
Mindful Presence
(expand sensory awareness, invite quiet mind)
Gratitude
(bring hearts and minds together)
***Program Details***
The Woods is a 2-day a week program held Tuesday & Thursday from 10am – 3pm, and as guests on a 97 acre property, we promote an ethic of stewardship.
Upcoming Session: Just Added! 2026 Fall SESSION (14 weeks, including 27 classes – NO CLASS on 11/26)
PLEASE EMAIL US TO REGISTER! – [email protected]
***TUESDAY, September 8th through THURSDAY, December 10th***
Location: Monmouth, OR
Program Fees: $945 (Option for installment payments & Scholarships!)
- Family discounts offered:
- siblings 6yr+ @ 25% discount ($709)
- siblings 5yr accompanied by an adult @ 50% discount ($473)
- siblings 4yr accompanied by an adult @ 75% discount ($236)
- In addition, each session, a limited number of partial scholarships may be available at the following level of support:
- 20% | 33% | 50%
- 66% (a time-limited option to support special circumstances)
- Please contact us if you wish to submit a scholarship assistance application
Looking to Plan Ahead?
- 2027 Winter Session – January 12th – March 11th! (9 weeks, including 18 classes)
- 2027 ROOTED – TBD – ROOTED is a full community Relational Quest with an invitation for all 13 yrs and older to participate in a overnight Fire Quest.
Regenerative Roots is committed to co-creating safe, trusting, and supportive environments for all who are involved in our programs and community forums. We invite you to learn more about our Commitment to Community Solidarity, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Whole Community
In addition to co-creating an environment that nurtures teaching-learning across varying ages of kids, we warmly welcome and encourage parents to participate with desire to foster a vibrant village and whole community dynamic.
