"EdenAcres is hands-down my son's all-time favorite homeschooling activity. Every day he asks if it's an “Eden Acres” day, (he attends twice per week) and eagerly counts down the days until he can return. Fallon (aka “Falcon”) Harris is the director, whose mission is to provide a unique full-day multi-age environmental education program specifically for homeschoolers.

Fallon, along with her competent staff, facilitate fort and wigwam building, fire-making, plant identification, knife-safety and whittling skills, bow and arrow making, and nature journal observations, among other activities. They learn community-building through group games and discussions, that extend even to economic models put into practice through the exchange of wood-chip “currency” for the acquisition of bows, arrows or wood for building, and even property and land management for future fort construction.

My son has ample opportunity to apply his engineering and math spatial skills to design and execute the building of multi-story forts and climbable structures. He is always eager to start his day and comes home proud of his accomplishments. This program is great for boosting self-confidence and competence.

His only complaint is that he cannot attend EdenAcres every day of the year."

- Lara & Zeke

Accepting New Students!

2025/26 School Year

Forest School
Kestrels Class
ages 8-12

At Wild Roots Nature School, our Kestrels class offers children ages 8-12 the opportunity to deepen their connection with the natural world through exploration, hands-on learning, and outdoor adventure. Inspired by the keen-eyed kestrel, students develop confidence, leadership, and resilience while engaging with the forest environment.

Bridging Academic Learning & Real-World Exploration

Many of our students come from homeschool, unschool, and alternative learning environments, and Forest School serves as a powerful extension of their education. Through experiential, project-based learning, we reinforce and expand upon core academic concepts in a way that is tangible, relevant, and deeply engaging. Whether practicing mental math while measuring materials for a shelter, honing literacy skills through nature journaling and storytelling, or exploring scientific concepts through hands-on ecology studies, students apply what they are learning in their home studies to real-world, outdoor experiences.

Learning in the Wild: The Power of Mixed-Age Exploration

Our multi-age learning environment fosters mentorship, collaboration, and a strong sense of community. Older students lead and inspire, while younger ones bring fresh curiosity and perspective—creating a dynamic, cooperative learning experience that reflects the way people have learned from one another for generations. Mixed-age groups encourage:
✔ Leadership & Peer Mentorship – Older students take on guiding roles, reinforcing their own learning while supporting younger peers.
✔ Skill Mastery & Challenge – Students progress at their own pace, honing skills through experience and observation.
✔ Collaboration & Problem-Solving – Teamwork is at the heart of learning, whether navigating the landscape, designing a structure, or tackling a group challenge.

Academics Woven into Wild Spaces

Our seasonal, place-based curriculum provides structure while remaining emergent and inquiry-driven, allowing students to follow their natural curiosities. We integrate literacy, numeracy, ecology, history, and the arts into meaningful, hands-on projects that bring academic concepts to life.

Science & Ecology – Tracking wildlife, studying plant cycles, exploring interdependence, and engaging in field research.
Math & Engineering – Measuring tree heights, estimating distances, constructing shelters, and using natural materials to solve real-world challenges.
Storytelling & Literacy – Keeping field journals, crafting oral histories, composing poetry, and weaving personal narratives.
Survival & Outdoor Skills – Fire-building, knife work, wayfinding, shelter-making, and understanding seasonal rhythms.
Handcrafts & Cultural Traditions – Basket weaving, tool crafting, food preservation, and exploring traditional knowledge systems.

A Classroom That Changes with the Seasons
Nature is our guide, and each season brings new lessons and opportunities:
🍂 Autumn – Animal tracking, foraging, shelter-building, storytelling around the fire, and early harvest projects.
❄️ Winter – Navigation, fire skills, studying winter adaptations, mythology and folklore, and sustainable living practices.
🌱 Spring – Botany, ecosystem restoration, plant medicine, water cycle studies, nature-based art, and community projects.

Building Confidence, Resilience, and Stewardship
Through play, discovery, and community-building, Kestrels learn how to work alongside others, embrace challenges, and foster a lifelong relationship with the land. Whether constructing a woodland hideout, learning the rhythm of the seasons, or tracking a coyote’s path, students develop independence, adaptability, and a strong sense of stewardship—all while having fun and learning outdoors!

Daily Rhythm**

9:00 - 9:15 Drop-off

9:00 - 9:30 Forest Exploration

9:30 - 10:00 Morning Circle/Stretching & Breathing/Teambuilding Activity

10:00 - 10:30 Game/Movement Activity/Exploration

10:30 - 11:30 Snack & Free Play

11:30 - 12:30 Exploration/Ancestral Skills/Project

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch & Free Play

1:30 - 2:30 Exploration/Ancestral Skills/Project

2:30 - 2:45 Clean-up & Closing Circle & Reflection

2:45 - 3:00 Pick-up

**The daily rhythm described above is an example of the flow of the day. Instructors practice emergent and child-centered learning, meaning that we adjust and modify with the changing needs and interests of the children while incorporating in whatever the forest or farm has to offer on that specific day.

Our Staff

Our Nature Educators come from a variety of backgrounds including Waldorf education, natural sciences, outdoor education abroad, and more. No matter their educational background, all are experienced and passionate about sharing nature with children. Instructors are certified in CPR/First Aid and epipen administration. Staff ratios for Forest Explorers are no larger than 8 students with 1 teacher. All adults in the program have passed full FBI background checks.

When

Choose from a 1, 2, 3 or 4 day/week rhythm.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

9:00 am-3:00 pm

First Day of School: 9/8/2025

Last Day of School: 5/22/2025

We offer flexible enrollment options to meet your family's unique needs. Whether you are using our program as a supplement to your homeschool adventure or as a primary part of your child's learning, we have an option for you. Enroll in 1, 2, 3, or 4 days per week.

Where

Hillsboro Forest School Campus @ 16528 Johnson Road, Hillsboro, OR 97124

How Much?

We use an equitable pricing model we call Choose-Your-Tuition. This model includes three options for families to choose from: Sliding Scale; Standard Rate; and Pay-It-Forward. Click here to learn more!

Standard Rate Tuition

1 day/week - $339/month, Sept. - May

2 days/week - $678/month, Sept. - May

3 days/week - $1,017/month, Sept. - May

4 days/week - $1,356/month, Sept. - May

Equity in Education is one of our core values. Our tuition model puts this value into action. It is one way that we are increasing access to alternative education for families across the economic spectrum. We invite you to join us in this vision of a better, more equitable world!

Which Tuition Option Fits Your Family?
Selecting the right tuition tier means reflecting on your family’s financial reality

Use the following prompts to help determine the best tuition option for your family. Consider which category reflects your current financial reality.

🌿 Pay-It-Forward
Consider choosing this tier if you:

Earn above the adequate standard of living for your area (per the Economic Policy Institute).

Have significant assets, such as investments, inheritance, or a paid-off home.

Live partially or fully off unearned income (family support, trust funds, gifts).

Can choose to work less or not at all due to financial flexibility.

Have a high earning potential due to education, race, or class background—even if you aren’t currently using it.

Have expendable income for frequent travel, dining, entertainment, or luxury expenses.

By choosing this tier, you help sustain the Sliding Scale option for families with financial need.

🌲 Standard Rate
This rate reflects the true cost of our programs. It’s for families who:

Earn an adequate standard of living (as defined by the Economic Policy Institute).

Can afford regular discretionary spending (eating out, entertainment, travel).

Do not experience race, ethnicity, gender, or disability-related barriers to income.

Have some student loan debt, but it does not create financial hardship.

Own or rent a home and can consistently meet financial obligations.

Have a stable career path with opportunities for growth.

If tuition is a sacrifice (cutting back on extras) but not a hardship (impacting basic needs), this is the right tier for you.

🍃 Sliding Scale
If paying tuition would create a significant financial hardship, this option is here for you. Consider this tier if you:

Earn below the adequate standard of living for your area.

Have medical expenses, debt, or caregiving responsibilities that impact your financial stability.

Experience barriers to earning due to disability, chronic illness, or immigration status.

Receive public assistance or rely on community aid to meet basic needs.

Have little or no family financial support or assets.

Are an elder with limited income.

If paying tuition would cause you to struggle with essentials like food, housing, or healthcare, please use this tier.

Honesty, Trust & Community Support
Our Choose Your Tuition model is built on trust and community care. We do not require income verification, and we trust families to choose the rate that best reflects their circumstances.

By selecting the tuition tier that aligns with your financial reality, you help us create a sustainable, equitable model that supports all families and our dedicated educators.

If you're unsure which tier is right for you, please reach out—we're happy to help! 💚

Attend a Charter School??

We accept school funds from many charter and online charter schools!

Questions? Send us an email at naturedays.edenacres@gmail.com

Submit your 2025/26 application now!