about the program
The Life's Forest Center and its programing was in the planning stage for 2 years. In December 2016, the owner and her family found the perfect piece of land to begin its construction. In this short time trails have been blazed, a rain barrel water catchment system has been built, an 80' x 80' piece of the land has been cleared to open the forest to some light for the garden, the chicken coop and the chicken run are completed and the after school program has commenced.
The children who attend Afterschool Learning at Life's Forest help design and build their own outdoor play area! including but not limited to: a giant sling shot, an outdoor stage, swings, a natural music station, a toy car race track, oversized boardgames, a hammock area and of course, a fort! The children also experience hands on learning including gardening, care of chickens, harvesting the crops, preserving and cooking the harvest, weaving and sewing projects, painting, and developing and implementing community projects.
The ultimate goal of Life's Forest is to provide education in life skills through hands-on experience for children and the community.
To reach this goal, some future projects will include the addition of rabbits, honey bees, and goats, the construction of a few greenhouses, a maple sugar shed and building a rocket stove to keep everything warm through the winter.
The children who attend Afterschool Learning at Life's Forest help design and build their own outdoor play area! including but not limited to: a giant sling shot, an outdoor stage, swings, a natural music station, a toy car race track, oversized boardgames, a hammock area and of course, a fort! The children also experience hands on learning including gardening, care of chickens, harvesting the crops, preserving and cooking the harvest, weaving and sewing projects, painting, and developing and implementing community projects.
The ultimate goal of Life's Forest is to provide education in life skills through hands-on experience for children and the community.
To reach this goal, some future projects will include the addition of rabbits, honey bees, and goats, the construction of a few greenhouses, a maple sugar shed and building a rocket stove to keep everything warm through the winter.
ABOUT THE owner
RACHEL WADE
Rachel Wade received her degree in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies and Education from Russell Sage College. A strong advocate for self-reliance, learning through experiences and resourcefulness , she involves her students in hands-on exploration, educating the community and natural living. She has over 16 years experience in education and natural studies.
Her resume includes 5 years teaching in a daycare setting, 2 years teaching for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and 9 years teaching in schools with Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES.
Her professional interests focus on program development and educational, yet fun, learning techniques. Her current projects include creating a community garden, beginning a homestead and researching state curriculum to further align established programs with the current teaching standards and methods.
Rachel currently lives at The Life's Forest Center with her amazing and supportive Husband Dan and her playful and silly son Owen.
Her resume includes 5 years teaching in a daycare setting, 2 years teaching for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and 9 years teaching in schools with Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES.
Her professional interests focus on program development and educational, yet fun, learning techniques. Her current projects include creating a community garden, beginning a homestead and researching state curriculum to further align established programs with the current teaching standards and methods.
Rachel currently lives at The Life's Forest Center with her amazing and supportive Husband Dan and her playful and silly son Owen.