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Our Offerings
We believe all children should have access to exploring nature and its beauty. Currently, we are offering sliding scale tuition with hopes to create an even more accessible program in the future. Find out more about each offering below and if you are interested in joining our school we would love to hear from you.
Oakland Saplings Forest School
Our mixed age classes of children 2-5.5 years old meet daily in the forest for connection and exploration. Starting in our 2026/27 school year and moving forward, all children will meet in the forest Monday-Thursday (9:15AM-2:15PM). On Fridays, our oldest students, 4-5.5 year olds explore a different Oakland location in our City Saplings program (occasionally traveling by bus, and exploring places-museums, gardens, public transportation, etc.). If you are interested in learning more, please read more about our school on our Forest School tab or or email us directly.
Our classes are currently full for the 2025/26 school year.
We are undergoing some restructuring for the 2026/27 school year and will update when able.
Through our Dewdrops program, we invite and gently guide our youngest explorers and their caregivers to connect with the natural wonders of our world each week in Joaquin Miller Park. Each session will begin with a morning meeting, singing songs, sitting in stillness (this will be a learned skill!), reading books, and exploration led by our wonderful educator, Whitney Ellis. Age-appropriate risk taking, fine and gross motor skill development, problem solving, storytelling, plant/creature identification skills, connectedness, and play will encompass our time together. Caregivers will be given the opportunity to ask parenting questions and advice in a safe and collaborative space under the guidance of our educators. These magical mornings are a wonderful way for children to create positive connections with each other and for adults to connect with other like-minded parents and caregivers.
Each year we offer two 10-week sessions for our Dewdrops program: one from September through November, and another from March through May. Between these sessions, we may host occasional “pop-up” gatherings when the weather allows and teachers are available.
To stay informed about these pop-ups, you can join our mailing list or follow us on Instagram.
Who: Caregivers and children walkers-30 months
Dates: Thursdays - click find out more for specific dates
Time: 9:30-11:00 AM
Location: Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland (specific location will be emailed out before class begins)
Suggested Sliding Scale Cost Per Family: $240-450 depending on the session. Prorated prices available for late starts
We will be offering a limited number of summer camps for the 2026 season.
Program weeks and themes will be shared by early February. Current forest school families will receive early access to registration before any remaining spaces are offered to the public.
