Environmental Education

How it all began…

In 2014, I became a founding member of Langley Forest School, the Fraser Valley’s first all-outdoor preschool. The seed for this school was planted when I first learned of the Environmental School Project in Maple Ridge, at a time that coincided with the threatened closure of my son’s parent-participation preschool in Fort Langley, B.C. Eager to maintain the wonderful play-based community that we had quickly become connected to, I, along with two remaining parents, put forth the idea of transforming the preschool into an outdoor one. The positive response to the outdoor preschool concept was overwhelming, and by September of that year our enrollment had reached capacity, accompanied by a growing wait-list. 

Today, with the support of the Township of Langley, Langley Forest School houses a yurt, a school garden and a beautiful outdoor space in Williams Park. Though not without its share of challenges, literally building Langley Forest School from the ground up was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I learned that there is a growing need for alternative learning opportunities, and that parents are eager to help their children develop a deeper connection to the outdoors and our planet. My involvement with Langley Forest School significantly increased my interest in seeing education depart from a standardized model, while allowing children to learn in a range of ways that can suit their individual needs.

Lesson Plans