By the Birch Wood: Forest School
Registration for 2026/2027 is now open!! Email to schedule a tour!
Fall 2026/Spring 2027
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00-11:30 starting September 2026
$230/month
*Fall semester runs September 1- December 17, 2026*
*Spring semester runs January 5 -May 27, 2027*
When you enroll you may choose enrollment for the entire year or for one semester.
If you enroll in just the fall or spring semester we cannot ensure you a spot if our "Full Year" students fill up registrations!
*10% discount for 2 or more siblings enrolled*
To reserve your child's spot for our 2026-2027 school year you must make the last month payment for May 2027 $230 when you register
payments can be made via Venmo @MotherEarthFarmPA or mailed checks to Mother Earth Farm PA, 1329 Brown Road, Indiana, PA
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00-11:30 starting September 2026
$230/month
*Fall semester runs September 1- December 17, 2026*
*Spring semester runs January 5 -May 27, 2027*
When you enroll you may choose enrollment for the entire year or for one semester.
If you enroll in just the fall or spring semester we cannot ensure you a spot if our "Full Year" students fill up registrations!
*10% discount for 2 or more siblings enrolled*
To reserve your child's spot for our 2026-2027 school year you must make the last month payment for May 2027 $230 when you register
payments can be made via Venmo @MotherEarthFarmPA or mailed checks to Mother Earth Farm PA, 1329 Brown Road, Indiana, PA
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Outdoor only classroom
Students are required to come prepared for the weather We require students to
*To ensure all of our students are safe and comfortable at our program we do have extra clothing for borrowing from our "Borrow Library". These items are donated to our school for full-time student use. If for financial or other reasons you need clothing for your child please let us know* |
Children ages 3 and up
Must be able to use bathroom independently We will cancel class due to extreme weather conditions only |
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Payment is required in full at the beginning of each month.
If you withdraw from the program before your final month you will lose your deposit of the last month payment. |
A tour is required before enrollment
Located at Mother Earth Farm, 4420 Warren Rd, Indiana, PA Call 724-422-6827 or email [email protected] to schedule a tour. After the tour you will be able to register your child* |
What does our forest school look like?
By the Birch Wood is an entirely outdoor, forest school. We are committed to a 100% outdoor nature immersion; a child interest-driven, emergent curriculum; and a commitment to authentic free play. Our teachers are dedicated to an inquiry-based teaching style. Instead of giving children concrete facts, we will help them discover answers through thought provoking questions. We are devoted to stimulating each child’s innate sense of curiosity through direct experiences with nature.
What does our forest look like?
Children will have access to our forest classroom tucked away in the birch woods. We have a stream running along the property giving ample opportunity for creek exploration. We have a mud kitchen set-up and shelters created by our guides and students. We have access to 70 acres of wooded private property with hiking trails, deciduous and coniferous forests. The classroom is also in the middle of Mother Earth Farm, a working diversified vegetable, fruit, and chicken farm. The students have access during certain times of the year to go into the garden to help with planting, harvesting, and eating of the farm's organically grown goodies, as well as occasionally meeting some of the farm's animal friends.
What does our curriculum look like?
Our goal with each child is to foster the growth of their innate sense of curiosity and wonder about the natural world while also teaching natural and environmental sciences on their most basic levels. We will help develop strong socialization skills and a strong sense of self, through our time outdoors with one another. We will teach the children to respect all living beings and how to tread lightly on the earth. Our lessons will be determined by what nature provides us each day and will change with the seasons and our children’s interest. While the majority of our program is child-led, we do typically have story time during our sessions.
Our Educators
Chloe Drew & Bob Madden are the co-creators of Indiana Outdoor School and primary educators for By the Birch Wood. You can learn more about them from the "About the Educators" tab above.
By the Birch Wood is an entirely outdoor, forest school. We are committed to a 100% outdoor nature immersion; a child interest-driven, emergent curriculum; and a commitment to authentic free play. Our teachers are dedicated to an inquiry-based teaching style. Instead of giving children concrete facts, we will help them discover answers through thought provoking questions. We are devoted to stimulating each child’s innate sense of curiosity through direct experiences with nature.
What does our forest look like?
Children will have access to our forest classroom tucked away in the birch woods. We have a stream running along the property giving ample opportunity for creek exploration. We have a mud kitchen set-up and shelters created by our guides and students. We have access to 70 acres of wooded private property with hiking trails, deciduous and coniferous forests. The classroom is also in the middle of Mother Earth Farm, a working diversified vegetable, fruit, and chicken farm. The students have access during certain times of the year to go into the garden to help with planting, harvesting, and eating of the farm's organically grown goodies, as well as occasionally meeting some of the farm's animal friends.
What does our curriculum look like?
Our goal with each child is to foster the growth of their innate sense of curiosity and wonder about the natural world while also teaching natural and environmental sciences on their most basic levels. We will help develop strong socialization skills and a strong sense of self, through our time outdoors with one another. We will teach the children to respect all living beings and how to tread lightly on the earth. Our lessons will be determined by what nature provides us each day and will change with the seasons and our children’s interest. While the majority of our program is child-led, we do typically have story time during our sessions.
Our Educators
Chloe Drew & Bob Madden are the co-creators of Indiana Outdoor School and primary educators for By the Birch Wood. You can learn more about them from the "About the Educators" tab above.
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Photo from Henry Söderlund
