At the Pine Ridge Campus children have daily adventures on the trails and open spaces tucked away in the upland area of the park. The environment at Pine Ridge makes every day unique and gives children a special connection to the rich flora and fauna that live at “their school.” Children develop physical strength and problem solving skills through explorations and lots of open space to play.
REGISTER NOWAt forest preschool the children visit the same woodland on a regular basis and are given the freedom to play, opportunity to explore and learn about the natural environment, and support while learning how to handle risks, solve problems, and cooperate with their peers. Preschool runs all year, where children learn and play in the woods in all weather: sun, rain, snow, warm and cold, (barring high winds or other extreme weather). As the forest is ever changing, each day brings new and different exploration opportunities. Children play, learn boundaries – both physical and social - grow in confidence, and become self-starters. Children in this environment learn that there are different ways of solving problems and they develop their critical thinking skills daily. Learn more about Magnolia's Forest Preschool program.
Location:
Pine Ridge Park, Edmonds, WA
Ages:
2.5-5 years old
September 2021 - June 2022
($40 registration and $100 materials fee due at registration)
Summer camp is a great time to try out forest school and see if your child loves it as much as we do! We often begin registration for summer camps March 1. It is helpful if you contact us before then so we know you are interested and can give you priority on open spaces.
Ages: 2.5-5 years old
Locations:
Pine Ridge Park, Edmonds, WA
Time: 8:30-12:30
July 5-August 27, 2021
Camp t-shirt included!
Enrollment is now open!
Elliot studied Outdoor Recreation at Western Washington University and completed a year-long, intensive-study program through the National Outdoor Leadership School in which they honed their skills in outdoor education through place-based learning and built on their foundation of environmental ethics. Their love of nature has continually grown with their experience leading backpacking trips for teens in many of the midwest's and Canada's national parks. After spending a summer camping throughout the southwest US with her wife of 7 years, Elliot became more focused in their passion to preserve natural spaces and ensure they are accessible to everyone for years to come.
Elliot has spent the last 5 years as a competitive team gymnastics coach - mentoring athletes and empowering children to build a strong foundation of life skills such as determination and perseverance through creative expression. She loved helping her gymnasts find their joy through sport and take pride in their accomplishments.
One of Elliot's favorite moments is watching a child work something out and experience that light-bulb moment when something new finally clicks. They are excited to bring children into nature's classroom where play is such an important part of that journey into understanding their world. She looks forward to facilitating a space where children can develop into compassionate critical thinkers who are equipped to confidently tackle their future and find their own voice and sense of self.
Kristina graduated from the University of Washington with a Communications and Gender Studies Degree and a Minor in Diversity. She is currently working towards her Early Childhood Education Short Certificate and hopes to apply for a Masters in Education in the near future.
Kristina is also a division 1 track and field athlete and a High School Pole Vault coach. Her coaching philosophies focus on equity, inclusion and personal development in the sport. She mentors youth athletes by addressing all parts of their identities beyond their physical performance. Her most memorable accomplishments as a coach are seeing young athletes' confidence and self-worth drastically improve overtime. She believes movement and being outdoors gives children the optimal space to expand their learning and grow a lifelong connection with the natural world.
In her spare time she loves cruising on her skateboard, hitting the mountain and learning new extreme sports. She is a food lover who ferments and pickles her own veggies. She also has her own jewelry making business where she expresses her creative side. She is looking forward to making a big career change and having the opportunity to mentor and educate children in an all outdoor setting.
Gabriela has been working in outdoor education for 5 years. She has taught all ages through bsa scout programs. She has taught wilderness survival, first aid, hiking, leather work, composite materials, knots, rock climbing. She recently became a certified High Ropes/COPE director.
Gabriela has a great love for the outdoors and creating safe spaces for kids to be themselves while learning about all the great things nature has to offer. Gabriela started her outdoor education career as a childcare assistant for ages 0-8 at Forest Home in CA. She then continued on to become a lifeguard, camp counselor, and commissioner of a camp in Lake Arrowhead CA.
She spends her time hiking, painting, reading, and doing yoga. Gabriela is excited to explore and learn more and more with kids at Magnolia!
Zabrina graduated from WSU with a Bachelors of Science in Earth & Environmental Sciences. She has worked with learners of all ages, and during school spent much of her time volunteering with STEAM mentoring programs. She also has been a learning coach to help Seattle families with the transition to online learning, and has even taught science in after school programs for the Santa Ana School District.
Currently, she works as an Outdoor Educator for Tilth Alliance, where she is able to teach young learners about her passions for gardening, sustainability, and food equity. She enjoys guiding young learners through outdoor science investigations that help them create meaningful connections with the natural environment and food.
Zabrina grew up all over the US, but mostly in Southern California. She relocated to the PNW to attend WSU and has never looked back! Her spare time is spent hiking, reading, camping, baking/cooking, or caring for her many houseplants.
Katie Leigh graduated with a degree in Herbal Science from Bastyr University. She has also been a summer camp counselor and early childhood lead teacher at the Waldorf school which she attended for many years. She believes in allowing children to have ample opportunity for play and exploration. In her free time, Katie Leigh enjoys reading, painting, hiking, and gardening.
She is excited to blend two of her passions together at Magnolia by helping children develop a deep connection with nature and maintain a reverence for the natural world of plants.
Dante graduated from Sonoma State University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development. Two weeks after graduating, she started working at a Residential Treatment Center for teenage boys and was working there for the last four years before moving to Washington to pursue her Master's degree.
Dante has started a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Bastyr University. She has always been passionate about working with children, and is excited to watch preschool children play and grow in nature. Her absolute favorite place is the forest!
Her spare time is spent hiking, swimming, going to the gym, and listening to music (favorite is live). Dante is looking forward to impacting the lives of our Magnolia children while pursuing her education to become a Licensed Mental Health Clinician.
At six unique campuses across Sequim, Edmonds, and Poulsbo, Washington, Magnolia children learn rain and shine. Preschool (ages 2.5-5) and Adventure (K-5th grade) programs meet September through June. We welcome lots of new friends at our summer camps, too!
SEE ALL LOCATIONSWe would love to meet you! Each campus welcomes new families for tours regularly September-June so that you can see the forest school space, meet the site director, ask questions and get a taste for the Magnolia Forest Preschool experience!
Schedule VisitForest school can be the perfect fit for so many children because it is uniquely tailored to support their strengths and interests. We look forward to connecting with you and your child further. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and hope to see you in the forest soon!
