OUR PROGRAM
High Quality Early Childhood Education and Child Care in Durango, Colorado
We believe at Durango Forest School that every child should have regular, long-term access to a natural environment that provides them with inspirational and challenging outdoor learning opportunities. DFS offers a learner-centered approach, where children can learn through self-directed play and exploration. The children at our school are given opportunities to develop their curiosity, confidence, agency, self-esteem, creativity, empathy, communication skills, knowledge of the natural environment, and ability to assess risk and to have fun.
NATURE-BASED
CHILD-LED
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PLAY-BASED
OUR MISSION
Our mission at Durango Forest School is to develop the whole child, cultivate curiosity, and inspire confidence through community relationships, authentic learning experiences, self-chosen risks, and wild, nature play.
OUR STORY
How to Nurture Their Nature Through Play:
Forest Education and Child Care in our Community
Sarah Lemcke and Jenny Kapke, both local Durango teachers, came together in the Spring of 2021 with the dream of creating a true forest school in our nature-loving community, with our main focus being child-led play, relationship-based learning, risk-taking, and adventuring. Originating in Scandinavia in the early 20th century, the Forest School approach for early childhood education is our main guidance for our school. If you are interested in learning more about the history and philosophy of forest schools, please visit the Forest School Foundation for more information. We are very excited for the opportunity to create Durango Forest School (DFS) with our students and our community.
