Baxter Launches Forest School For Pre-Teens

If you’ve got a junior naturalist at home always itching to be outside, Baxter Conservation Area may be able to help scratch the itch.

The conservation area south of Kars will add a new session for kids ages 10 to 13 to its popular Forest School program this fall.

The full-day preteen program will run each Monday between Sept. 11 and Dec. 11. Students will spend their days outside learning in nature, through nature.

The new sessions unlock outdoor learning opportunities for a whole new age group, as the program’s previous age cut-off was 10.

“We’re thrilled to welcome older kids to our Forest School program,” said acting site supervisor Amy Tenbult. “Spending time in nature is proven to help kids with anxiety, mood regulation and focus, and these become even more critical as kids enter their teenage years.”

The older group will develop new skills, independence, teamwork, and responsibility while applying academic skills such as math, problem solving and literacy in a natural setting. The students will also explore science themes such as biology and ecology through inquiry-based learning throughout the day.