Magnolia
Forest Adventures
K-5th Grade

Our mission

At Magnolia, we are driven to inspire the next generation of critical thinkers through immersive outdoor adventures. Guided by their unique interests and curiosities, our students grow to be resilient, self-aware problem solvers. Utilizing the power of our natural world to instill wonder, curiosity, and self discovery, we provide a safe space and purposeful guidance as students explore their interests, their relationships with their peers, and the world around them.

Weekly

The weekly Adventure program on the Kitsap Peninsula will explore local forests and beaches.  During the Fall series we will start at Salsbury Park and then explore different sites within the Port Gamble Heritage Park. Our students will make connections with each other and the environment as they build week to week with a well rounded immersion.  There will be time to explore, play, connect and wonder. We will make available art, orienteering, nature guides, and other sparks of inspiration. The students’ interests will lead each day and provide the foundation for plans and discovery. 

Location: Poulsbo, WA and surrounding area

Winter Series: Jan 6- Mar 26, 2021
Wednesdays, 9:30-1:30 ‍

Tuition: $260/month

(Materials fee $30 due at time of registration.)

Monthly

The monthly Adventure program on the Kitsap Peninsula will partner with the weekly Adventure cohort and will be at a new location each month. Adventure leaders facilitate process over outcome learning experiences and take such joy to see the students explore, discover, and connect with one another each month. The children’s interests are paramount as they take time to immerse themselves in a natural environment, build confidence to problem solve, and deepen their connection with nature and one another. 

Location: Poulsbo, WA and surrounding area

Winter Series: Jan-Mar, 2021
Wednesdays, 9:30-1:30 
Jan 27, Feb 24, Mar 24

Tuition: $195/series

Summer Camp 2021

Details coming soon...

Summer camp is a great time to try out our Adventures program.

Location: TBD

Tuition: $260

Select an adventure series & register today
REGISTER NOW

Program Director

Laura Tetrick

Program Director
laura@magnoliaforestpreschool.com

Laura grew up in Poulsbo. She received her bachelor's degree in Geology from Whitman College. She moved back to this area because of how much she loves the local environment. She has worked at various camps and has taught outdoor environmental education, team building and ropes course classes. She also coached a local high school swim team. Most recently she has worked as a land surveyor which has given her the wonderful opportunity of seeing many hidden gems in Kitsap County.

Laura loves working outdoors and has an interest in education and nurturing children's development. Magnolia has all of these aspects. Laura enjoys the opportunity to watch children explore and discover their surroundings and their inner curiosity and love for play in nature.

Laura lives with her husband and two girls, ages 5 and 12. She enjoys gardening, trail running, hiking, CrossFit, and reading.

Encouraging Adventure

Armed with a whistle, a notebook, and something to write with, our students are immersed in some of the most inspiring and accessible natural spaces on the Olympic Peninsula. This immersion has one goal: to encourage adventure. This is not your typical, thrill seeking sense of the word (although this will be inevitable), but the type of adventure that leads to discovery.

Discovery & Wonder

Guided by an amazing teaching staff, and surrounded by their peers, our students discover things that make them wonder. This wonder is instrumental in encouraging our students' drive to want to learn and is brought out in amazing ways while adventuring in our natural world.

Fostering Connections

As the adventure series progresses, and our understanding of each student’s interests and needs increases, our staff are able to identify and encourage more in-depth explorations for each student. We are here to help them wonder, and to navigate the environment we are in, not only in a physical sense, but also through an emotional, peer driven process. Students will come away with a greater sense of connection not only to their natural world, but to their peers with whom they have explored trip after trip.

Adventure leads to discovery, which leads to wonder, which leads to connection. This is what Magnolia Forest Adventures is all about.
 “Prepare your child for the path, not the path for your child.”
“In the safety and freedom of the woods, [my child’s] little voice started asking for things she needed – and getting those needs met. Through climbing, exploring the natural world around her, her confidence grew. Magnolia’s style makes room for that.”
“One of the biggest leaps has been [my child’s] ability to communicate her emotions. Instead of endless tantrums or guessing games, [my child] has been able to clearly tell me what she’s feeling. Being able to identify a feeling is one of the first steps to working through it for her. This is a big deal in our everyday life, and I believe it’s truly added to her life in a dynamic manner. At Magnolia, I know I have a group of other caring adults in her life to help her learn to trust herself and others, during those difficult life moments.”
“ We look forward to the year, as well as the adventures of the K-8th program to follow. I want [my child] to continue to grow and learn to trust herself and grow into a confident child, and eventually young woman, with respect for life, others and the world around her. Those values are echoed by this school as well. Having the freedom to be 100% herself in a safe environment as she discovers who she is priceless.”
“Now, as a first time parent, I’ll admit, I had my doubts when it came to the theory behind child-lead learning, but I’m now sold on it. The confidence gained by learning to climb a rock transfers over to facing new learning milestones, like counting. [My child’s] imagination is free to expand with simple tools and toys, friends, fresh air, and the occasional snow ball. Imagination is the mother of invention. [My child] knows School is a safe place to make mistakes, explore, and grow.”
“I cannot say enough how much my child has grown since school started in September! She went from crying at drop off and clinging to a teacher, to confidently walking to a teacher at the start of a school day and strutting back at pick up.”
“[My child] has great stamina! Before Magnolia she wouldn’t walk very far and now she is able to hike up to 3 miles! She also has a longer attention span. She will stick with a task for 45 min or an hour. Again, before school she would flit from activity to activity.”

Visit Magnolia and learn more

We would love to meet you! Each campus welcomes new families for tours regularly 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 Visit

Request enrollment information

Forest 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!

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