Camp Adventure Forest Academy
Explore Camp Adventure Forest School Academy
About Us
About Us
Camp Adventure serves as an environmental learning facility, offering diverse programs year-round to communities, schools, and organizations. From field trips and team-building experiences to enriching leadership growth and educational opportunities, our mission is to inspire growth, connection, and a love of learning through nature.
Building on this foundation, we are excited to expand our offerings to include a full-day school program. Starting with PreK/Kindergarten classes, our vision is to grow into a comprehensive K-5 program that combines outdoor education with Montessori principles, fostering curiosity and academic resilience in every child.
Discover the Forest School Philosophy
At Camp Adventure Forest School, we believe children thrive when they are immersed in nature. Our forest school embraces child-led exploration, hands-on learning, and the freedom to develop at their own pace. Outdoor classrooms inspire creativity, build resilience, and foster a deep connection to the natural world.
How Montessori Guides Our Approach
The Montessori method is the foundation of our forest school. Using Maria Montessori's principles, we integrate practical life skills, sensorial exploration, and individualized learning into outdoor activities. Children develop independence and confidence while engaging with nature’s endless learning opportunities.
This blend of forest school and Montessori education creates a holistic environment where children grow socially, emotionally, and academically—all while cultivating a lifelong love for learning and the environment.
PreK/K Program
Daily Rhythm
In our PreK/K program, we follow a thoughtfully structured daily rhythm that balances focused learning with spontaneous outdoor play. Each day is filled with discovery through guided activities and opportunities for independent exploration.
Students will travel daily between their base school and Camp Adventure, ensuring a strong connection to their home school while experiencing nature-based learning. Parents can also opt for pickup and drop-off directly at Camp Adventure if preferred.
The day begins with a welcoming circle where children set intentions and share observations of the natural world. The rhythm includes outdoor exploration, Montessori-based learning stations, and quiet reflection time. This structure fosters security, excitement, and a love of learning, helping children grow holistically.
Key Elements of the Daily Rhythm:
- Morning Circle: Children come together to introduce the day’s activities, discuss the weather, and observe the natural world around them.
- Outdoor Exploration: Time spent outdoors includes nature walks, gardening, mud kitchen free play and observation, providing a hands-on experience with the world around them.
- Montessori Learning Stations: Self-directed activities that focus on practical life skills, sensorial exploration, and foundational academic concepts.
- Storytime & Reflection: Children share stories inspired by their day’s experiences, followed by quiet time or reflection to process and relax.
Montessori in Nature
At Camp Adventure, Montessori principles form the foundation of our PreK/K program. We extend these principles beyond the traditional classroom by bringing them into the natural world. Our outdoor classroom provides children with limitless opportunities to learn using the environment around them. Nature becomes both the inspiration and the material for much of our academic work.
Montessori in Nature Includes:
- Practical Life Skills: Children practice real-world skills like sorting leaves, pouring water, and using tools to care for the natural environment.
- Sensorial Exploration: Nature invites children to refine their senses—feeling the rough texture of tree bark, listening to birdsong, and smelling flowers.
- Academic Learning Outdoors: Math concepts are explored with sticks, leaves, or stones, while storytelling and reading come to life using the natural environment as inspiration.
Benefits for Young Learners
Text:
The PreK/K program at Camp Adventure nurtures the whole child—socially, emotionally, academically, and physically. By integrating Montessori principles into outdoor learning, children develop a sense of independence, creativity, and critical thinking. Our nature-based approach fosters curiosity and helps children build a lifelong love for learning.
Key Benefits Include:
- Social-Emotional Development: Small group learning and collaborative outdoor play foster strong communication skills, emotional regulation, and self-confidence.
- Cognitive Growth: Nature-based learning encourages problem-solving, curiosity, and critical thinking, all while supporting early childhood state standards.
- Physical Development: Outdoor play enhances motor skills, balance, and coordination as children explore, climb, and dig.
- A Love for Learning: Children develop a deep sense of curiosity for the world around them, which builds a foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Typical Day
Typical Day
For parents considering the PreK/K program at Camp Adventure, this section provides an overview of the structured, yet flexible, daily routine your child will experience. The day is carefully designed to blend both Montessori-inspired education and outdoor learning, creating a balanced environment that fosters cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM: Arrival & Transition
Students arrive either by bus or drop-off and are greeted by camp staff. They transition into the day with a warm welcome before joining the morning circle. This transition time sets the tone for the day, providing children an opportunity to engage in the community and prepare for the activities ahead.
8:40 AM - 9:00 AM: Morning Circle
The day begins with a group gathering, where children actively participate in setting intentions for the day. Discussions may include the weather, nature observations, or topics related to the daily focus. This circle time helps children develop social skills and emotional regulation, establishing a foundation of community and connection.
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Outdoor Exploration
Outdoor exploration is a key element of the program, allowing children to engage directly with the natural environment. They embark on nature walks, collect natural materials, and observe the world around them. This time encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on discovery. Activities may include tracking animal footprints, collecting leaves, or observing insects, enhancing cognitive skills through sensory engagement.
9:30 AM - 10:40 AM: Montessori Learning Stations
During this period, children rotate through Montessori-inspired learning stations, which are tailored to the developmental needs of each child. Activities focus on practical life skills, sensorial exploration, and foundational academic skills. Children may engage in activities such as sorting natural materials, practicing fine motor skills, or exploring math and language concepts using natural objects.
10:40 AM - 10:50 AM: Snack & Social Time
A healthy snack is provided or brought by the children, followed by a period of free socialization. This time fosters independence, responsibility, and the development of communication skills. Students are encouraged to clean up after themselves, reinforcing life skills that are a core part of the Montessori philosophy.
10:50 AM - 11:30 AM: Outdoor Learning
This time focuses on collaborative, peer-to-peer learning. Children work in pairs or small groups on nature-themed projects, such as building a fort, creating a nature-based art project, or working together to solve a simple scientific problem. This encourages teamwork, negotiation, and empathy, while reinforcing cognitive and creative skills in an interactive, real-world context.
11:30 AM - 12:10 PM: Lunch & Recess
During lunch, children enjoy a meal either outdoors or in a designated area. Following lunch, they have free play during recess, engaging in physical activities such as running, climbing, or exploring. This time contributes to the development of motor skills and overall physical coordination, promoting healthy habits and self-regulation.
12:10 PM - 12:50 PM: Montessori Learning Stations (Continued)
In the afternoon, students continue their engagement with Montessori learning stations. These activities are designed to reinforce early academic concepts, such as math, literacy, and science, through hands-on exploration. Students might trace letters or numbers in sand, count objects in nature, or practice building patterns with sticks or stones, deepening their understanding through tactile, sensory experiences.
12:50 PM - 1:30 PM: Creative Arts & Specials
Students participate in creative arts activities such as music, art, or physical education. They may engage in nature-inspired crafts, create songs, or participate in outdoor movement games. This block encourages self-expression, creativity, and coordination, while also supporting the development of teamwork and communication skills.
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM: Storytime & Reflection
Children gather to listen to stories, often inspired by their outdoor explorations or related to the day’s theme. Following the story, there is a group reflection where children share their experiences, thoughts, and discoveries. This period fosters emotional expression, verbal skills, and helps children synthesize their learning.
1:50 PM - 2:00 PM: Closing Circle
To end the day, children gather for a final group meeting where they reflect on their activities, share their thoughts, and anticipate the following day’s schedule. This time is designed to provide a sense of closure and community, helping children transition smoothly from their time at Camp Adventure back to their base school for dismissal.
Additional Weekly Activities:
Each day is designed to provide ample time for hands-on learning, but throughout the week, students also engage in specific activities that enrich their experience:
-
Monday: Nature Project Collaboration – Partnered projects encourage children to work together on a nature-inspired task, fostering creativity and teamwork.
-
Tuesday: Outdoor Science Exploration – Students engage in scientific observation, learning about natural processes like plant growth, water cycles, and ecological relationships.
-
Wednesday: Nature Art & Craft – Children create artwork using natural materials, expressing their creativity while learning about the textures, colors, and patterns found in nature.
-
Thursday: Community Building – Collaborative games and group-building projects strengthen social skills and teamwork.
-
Friday: Reflection & Nature Journals – Students reflect on the week’s experiences, capturing their thoughts and discoveries in nature journals.
Why Montessori?
Hands-On Learning
Montessori education emphasizes active, tactile engagement, where children learn by doing. Manipulating materials like counting beads, sorting objects, and using practical life tools develops critical thinking and deepens understanding. At the Forest School, these activities are enriched by natural elements like sticks, leaves, and stones, merging academic concepts with real-world exploration.
Independence and Confidence
Montessori fosters independence, allowing children to make choices, solve problems, and complete tasks at their own pace. This self-directed approach builds confidence and prepares them for lifelong learning. In the Forest School, tasks like building a shelter, gardening, or preparing a snack from harvested plants empower children to take ownership of their learning.
Connection with Nature
Montessori’s emphasis on sensorial exploration aligns perfectly with outdoor education. Immersion in nature enhances sensory development, environmental awareness, and a sense of wonder. The Forest School expands the classroom to the natural world, encouraging students to care for their environment and themselves.
Future Plans
Future Plans
We are excited to expand our nature-based educational program at Camp Adventure, blending Montessori principles with outdoor learning. Our goal is to connect students to the natural world while supporting their academic and personal growth. Below is our planned expansion timeline.
2025-2026: Launch PreK/Kindergarten at Camp Adventure
- Base School and Transportation: PreK/Kindergarten will be based at a local school and travel to Camp Adventure each day.
- Location: Full-day Montessori program at Camp Adventure, five days a week.
- Focus: Montessori-inspired, nature-based learning, with hands-on exploration, practical life skills, and self-directed discovery.
2026-2027: Add First Grade
- Base School and Transportation: PreK/Kindergarten at Camp Adventure, with First Grade based at the K-5 building. First Grade visits Camp Adventure 1-2 times per week.
- Montessori Integration: First graders will experience Montessori principles in both the K-5 building and Camp Adventure, including:
- Learning in natural environments, with outdoor Montessori lessons.
- Self-directed outdoor learning experiences.
- Practical life lessons like gardening and environmental care.
2027-2028: Add Second Grade
- Outdoor Education at Camp Adventure: PreK-2 students will visit Camp Adventure 1-3 days a week.
- Montessori Integration: Second graders continue self-paced learning, both in the classroom and at Camp Adventure. Activities will include:
- Outdoor science, math, and literacy lessons.
- Collaborative, project-based learning opportunities.
- Creative outdoor art, journaling, and environmental studies.
2028-2029 and Beyond: Add Grades 3-5
- Full K-5 Integration: Grades 3-5 will visit Camp Adventure 1-3 times per week for nature-based learning and team-building activities.
- Montessori Principles and Outdoor Learning: All grades integrate Montessori principles with outdoor education, including:
- Freedom of choice in outdoor learning.
- Mixed-age collaboration, with older students mentoring younger ones.
- Holistic development through physical, emotional, and social growth, supported by nature-based activities.
Special Events for All Grades
- Annual Events: Fall Festival, Earth Day, End-of-Year outdoor learning days at Camp Adventure.
- Field Study Days: All grades will participate in field study days, seasonal explorations, and hands-on outdoor learning at Camp Adventure.
Contact and Enrollment
Thank you for your interest in our PreK/K program at Camp Adventure! We’re currently finalizing the details for the enrollment process and how to best support families interested in joining our community.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like to receive updates, please don’t hesitate to contact us at campadventure-info@muncieschools.org
Stay tuned for more information about enrollment dates, application steps, and details coming soon!
FAQs
Will my child be warm enough in winter?
We like to say, "There’s no bad weather, only the wrong clothing." We’ll guide you to ensure your child is dressed for comfort in all seasons. During the coldest months, we provide warming fires outdoors and access to two onsite buildings.
What if there is severe weather?
In cases of severe weather, learning continues indoors. We have two on-site buildings that provide safe, warm, and engaging learning spaces. School will only be canceled if road conditions make travel hazardous and will align with Muncie Community Schools.
What are the qualifications of the teachers at The Camp Adventure Forest Academy?
Our teachers are licensed Indiana teachers who are also working under the leadership of a Montessori-certified camp director and receive ongoing professional development in Montessori principles and forest school education. All staff are CPR/First Aid certified.
What Will a Class Look Like?
Our classrooms extend beyond four walls, utilizing the natural environment as an essential part of learning.
- PreK/Kindergarten: This classroom will be the first to roll out, attending Camp Adventure daily. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 10–20:1, class sizes are structured to comply with Indiana laws and ensure age-appropriate groupings.
- Grades 1–5: These students will visit Camp Adventure 3–5 days a week with their regular class sizes, capped at 30 students per group.
Our program is enriched by the support of volunteers, the camp director, and strong partnerships with community organizations. The 40-acre campus provides ample space for exploration and hands-on learning, ensuring personalized attention and meaningful experiences for all students.
How do you ensure safety?
Safety is a top priority. We maintain low student-to-teacher ratios (10–20:1), conduct daily site inspections, and train staff in CPR/First Aid. Clear safety expectations are established with children, and we balance adventure with thoughtful risk management.
What will my child need to bring/wear?
Proper clothing is essential for outdoor learning success. We’ll help you prepare with resources like a family gear guide and an annual gear swap for outgrown items.
- Rental of two waterproof outer layers (insulated and non-insulated) and insulated mittens is included in the supply fee.
- Families provide suitable base and mid-layers.
Gear Checklist
Icons or images accompany the following:
- Layers for All Weather: Insulated base layers, waterproof jackets, and rain pants.
- Footwear: Waterproof boots in winter, sturdy hiking shoes in warmer weather.
- Accessories: Hats, mittens, gloves, and a sun hat for sunny days.
- Backpack: Lightweight and easy to carry for snacks, water, and extra clothing.
- Water Bottle: Refillable and durable for daily hydration.
- Optional Extras: Hand warmers, sunscreen, and bug spray.
We’ll provide a full checklist in the family handbook, and our gear swap helps families exchange outgrown items.
What Are Your Practices and Policies Around Technology?
We believe nature should take center stage in childhood development. Technology is minimally used at Camp Adventure, such as referencing a wildlife identification app when needed. Exceptions may occur for testing or benchmarking requirements.
Outside of school, we encourage families to limit screen time, especially for young children. As a community, we support practices that emphasize:
- Limited technology use during school time.
- More opportunities for real-world play and independence.
Our approach helps children develop a deep connection with nature while fostering creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking skills.