Parent Child Groups
nature exploration and community-building for children and their families
2025-2026 PARENT & CHILD PROGRAMS
Acorns (Monday) or Piñatas (Wednesday)
10am-12pm
children ages 18 mo. - 5yo with parent/caregiver
younger siblings welcome
circle time, free forest play, story, seasonal nature crafts
WHAT TO EXPECT
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At 10am, come rain or shine, our parent child groups meet at Bernheim to enjoy a Waldorf-inspired morning of circle time, free play and story led by certified Waldorf teacher, Amy Pascucci. Our daily rhythm and curriculum is designed to deepen connections with nature and each other. The sweet pawpaw forest where we meet is host to a dry creek bed that fills in the spring for wonderful water play.
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Friday meet-ups: Multiple Friday mornings each month, registered Forest Pals are invited to gather for a play meet-up or parent child hike. Following playtime or hikes, many families stay and have lunch together.
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Bernheim partnership: All Forest Pals families are asked to maintain a current Bernheim household membership. ​​​
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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 session is available on Wednesdays only in January.
Once each semester, and for the month of February, Acorns and Piñatas are invited with their caregiver 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.
Acorns and Piñatas
2025-2026 fees
$504 annual fee per family + 6% sales tax
($252 per semester; $50 fee for Winter Wednesdays)
+ $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.