WILD Ones Forest School uses natural spaces where children come together to play, explore, take risks, and immerse themselves in the wonders of the natural world.
We follow the Forest Schooling philosophy, providing the time, space, and tools for children to learn new skills through play-based exploration. All sessions are open to locals and visitors alike!
Our approach is child-led. Throughout the term, children may participate in a variety of activities, including:
Nature activities like hiking
Den building
Whittling and clay making
Building with hand tools
Flora and fauna identification
Nature journaling
Scavenger hunts
Growing plants, including food
Trail maintenance
This is your chance to join the WILD Ones Tribe!
There’s a variety of sessions each week, currently in Manjimup and Pemberton, where children aged 6+ embark on a weekly adventure of discovery in a completely forested space.
We program with the seasons, so every term is different. By the end of a year, your child will have gained valuable skills they will use throughout their life.
An example of what WILD Ones focus on:
Mastering the art of using hand tools (safely, of course!)
Learning to tie knots and lashings (perfect for building epic dens)
Becoming shelter-building superstars (camping, anyone?)
Going on nature walks (observe and become mindful of local areas)
Identifying local plants and animals (become a nature detective!)
Exploring sustainability and environmental science (because protecting our planet matters!)
In addition to these practical, hands-on skills your child builds emotional and interpersonal resilience through:
Developing physical and mental strength through exploration
Building confidence and resilience through personal challenges
Disconnecting from screens and reconnecting with nature
Team skills and communication with groups
Most importantly, simple manners and respect for themselves, one another, adults and their environment
Rain or shine, our WILD adventures never stop! We believe in the power of unstructured play and experiential learning in nature.
Ready to join the WILD Ones Tribe?
We purposefully keep sessions small, so your child gets the attention they deserve. Space is limited! Enrol now to secure your child's spot in this unforgettable program.
We welcome travelling families and tourists in the area as part of our tribe! This experience is not just for locals.
Additional Information:
Locations: Pemberton and Manjimup. We are aiming to expand in the New Year to additional locations, so if you would like WILD Ones near you, please contact us.
Bookings: All sessions are listed in the calendar on the booking page
Important Information:
Bookings are essential. A minimum numbers are required to run every session.
What to Bring: Food (enough for the length of the session), water, hat, long pants, short-sleeved shirt (summer) or long-sleeved shirt (winter), closed-in shoes, no thongs as kids always trip over them, rain gear (wet weather only), spare change of clothes all year round (compulsory), wet bag, sunscreen, and bug repellent (the last two are optional and personal preference).
Contact:
Please email gday@wildones.au for further information or inquiries. We might be out of range or busy with programs, so most administrative work happens after hours. Thank you for your understanding!
P.S. Follow us on social media (@forestschoolwa on Instagram and Facebook) for a sneak peek into our wild world!