Homeschool Enrichment
nature exploration and community-building for children and their families
2025-2026 HOMESCHOOL ENRICHMENT
Explorers (6-7yo) and Adventurers (8-12yo)
Monday group is mixed-age, 6-12
one-day option: Mondays OR Wednesdays
two-day option: Mondays AND Wednesdays
10am-1pm
drop-off
nature study, forest play, community-building, arts and mindfulness
WHAT TO EXPECT
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At 10am, come rain or shine, our Explorers and Adventurers gather, then venture into the forest for a morning of experiential nature study and forest play. Both groups' nature-based 'curriculum' reflects the natural world and the children's particular interests, and includes time for mindfulness and community-building, as well as a significant amount of free forest play. The Adventurers plan may include more advanced outdoor skills and more in-depth nature arts experiences. (At times, Explorers and Adventurers may meet at other, nearby wilderness locations.) Explorers and Adventurers are picked up at 1pm.
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Friday meet-ups: Multiple Friday mornings each month, all registered Forest Pals are invited to gather for a play meet-up or parent child hike on one of Bernheim's or other local trails. Following playtime or hikes, many families stay and have lunch together. On these Fridays, parents are solely responsible for their children.
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Bernheim partnership: All Forest Pals families are required to maintain a current Bernheim household membership. ​​
The Forest Pals Explorers and Adventurers programs are appropriate for children who are able to follow all instructions.
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​GEAR AND CLOTHING
Forest Pals is completely nature-based in various types of weather. Proper gear and clothing are essential for children and adults alike. ​After applying to the program, participants are given a full list of required gear.
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​SCHEDULE & FEES
Forest Pals meets September through May. Fall semester runs September through December, and Spring semester meets February through May. An optional and abbreviated special winter family session is available on Wednesdays only in January.
Once each semester, and for the month of February, Explorers and Adventurers are invited with their caregivers to attend pre-arranged arts- and nature-themed, off-site Discovery Days. Our year also includes two community potlucks, a magical winter evening lantern walk and a spring family camping trip at Bernheim.
2025-2026 Explorers and Adventurers fees
One-day: $816 annual tuition ($408 per semester) + 6% sales tax
Two-day option: $1,440 annual ($720 per semester) + 6% sales tax
Please enquire about reduced fees for siblings
$25 per child annual materials fee
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There is a one-time $25 application fee per family.
All fees are due prior to attendance each semester and are non-refundable.
5% fee reduction for payment of annual fees.
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Forest Pals strives to make our program affordable for families while offering a living wage for staff. We rely on parent volunteers to make the magic happen. Some areas of need are field trip planning, free play support, nature craft facilitation, social media promotion and Forest Pals community event planning.
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Forest Pals operates in and around Clermont, Kentucky.
We serve families from Louisville, Shepherdsville, Bardstown, Cox's Creek, Elizabethtown, Mt. Washington and surrounding areas.