Teen Forest Adventures builds on the strong foundation that Forest Floor lays for younger kids.  We continue the rhythm of weekly Nature Connection while adding elements to meet advanced needs specific to teens such as intellectual challenge, physical rigor, and development of emotional competence.  Similar to Forest Floor, we follow the 8 Shields model of natural cycles, Deep Nature Connection, and mentoring.  In addition, Teen Forest Adventures incorporates naturalist education that stimulates and inspires the mind while instilling a sense of relationship and responsibility with the natural world.  Written assignments support the synthesis of information taken in.  Activities, games, hikes and more challenge physical capacities, and authentic relating brings internal and inter-relational depth, empathy, and agility.  

We believe that spending regular time outside is not just a good idea; it’s essential.  Because humans are natural animals.  Having a relationship with the natural world supports us to be balanced, grounded, empathetic, inspired, healthy, creative, responsible, and effective.  This potential doesn’t close with childhood, but instead deepens and expands along with our awareness and capacities. And while popular culture would have us believe that teens only care about their peers, we believe something different - that in the teen years, it’s more important than ever for teens to have the influence of caring adults in their lives. That is why we match a small group of kids with qualified adult mentors who can meet them where they are, and guide and encourage them to grow into their strongest most resilient selves.  This happens best in partnership with the wisest mentor of all ~ Nature.  

As I receive email after email from different parents of teens in our area wanting information for teen outdoor programming, I’m sitting inside myself with the strong need I see for this kind of offering for teens right now, with the unprecedented challenges they’re facing.  

As a Nature Connection professional, I know the potential of programs like ours from the results of similar nature connection organizations around the world. Most importantly, as a mom to a teen myself, I feel worry and concern for our kids when I read the headlines and witness the disconnection of teens I see. I want to do what I can in the small local sphere I can impact. That’s why Teen Forest Adventures happens. More than simply to check off a few homeschool requirement boxes, but to make a difference.  As it says in the tagline,  Not just education or recreation; Mentorship that supports deep connection, relationships, and character. It happens outside, without screens, in real-time, with the continuity of relationships built over time. And from what I’m hearing from parents and teens in the program, it’s their favorite day of the week.

— Tiffanie Pope
Director, Teen Forest Adventures