Frequently Asked Questions
What age groups do you cater to?
What is child-led (or self-led) learning?
Self-led learning happens when a child’s natural curiosity is provided with the space, safety and sometimes the encouragement it may need, to flourish. When children develop an interest, they develop a need for information surrounding this topic, and will begin to dive deep into exploration and investigation to provide themselves with knowledge.
What does child-led learning look like?
A recent example of self-led learning happened during our forest walk. As we walked, someone in the group asked what a dark coloured organic matter was, on some of the tree branches. The question itself came forward in a natural way, after an unprompted observation was made. When questions occur organically, they come from places of genuine interest and with an openness to learn new information. This is different from someone in a position of power and authority (an adult) planning a walk where the task (developed by the adult) is to observe trees. While the interest and learning may still occur, the magical component of innate curiosity and wonder from the child, is absent. When we follow a set of instructions or tasks, often the drive and affirmation to follow the instructions and complete the task, is the external affirmation we receive from those in positions of power or authority. When questions form intrinsically, from experience/play, the drive to explore and discover, is self-affirming. The goal of learning something new becomes less about others and more about the self.
Why would I want my child to learn that way?
Self-led learning, like all types of learning, is a philosophy of education that may work for some families and not for others. Education is highly personal and varies from child to child, even in the same family! AND, that is OKAY! It is wonderful to have so many options to explore, isn’t it? Some of the reasons why individuals prefer self-led learning is because it fosters a love FOR learning, rather than a way to obtain knowledge. It is self-affirming, which reduces the seeking of exterior motivation. It encourages critical thinking and multiperspectivity. Individuals who are provided with the safety and space to engage in self-led leading are able to formulate ideas and questions that other learning environments may either provide for the child or limit the opportunity/space for this type of exploration.
We go to the woods all the time. Why would I pay for my child to play in the woods?
We encourage everyone to get out and explore the woods! Whether that is our woods or any forest! While getting out and being in nature is beneficial for everyone, allowing a child to explore, take risks, engage in play and socialize in an alternate setting that is designed to minimize safety hazards, provide specialized information and education (i.e. about a particular animal or plant found on the land) and facilitate support for specific interests and activities (i.e. whittling, fort making, knot tying), are some of the ways in which Firefly Farm and Forest differs from hiking or walking in a forest. One of the coolest parts about the camp and land is that it is private. This means that we have the unique opportunity to build and create short and longer-term projects- (Um, fort village and bases anyone?). Children will be able to devise, organize, plan, and execute projects and ideas that they are excited by and interested in, with support available from experienced facilitators. Finally, our space values and encourages autonomy. Whether our attendees go to school during the year or homeschool, it can be empowering and healing to be provided with the space to join or refrain from joining in on an offered activity. While we will provide campers with offerings of different activities, participation is not mandatory. There is learning that happens when we practice opting out or saying “no”, just as when we choose to participate and say “yes”.
What types of offerings will there be for my child?
The offerings and invitations will differ from week to week, but will include things such as:
- Wood working, wood carving
- Tree climbing
- Fort building
- Knot and rope tying
- Foraging
- Creative arts (in many forms)
- Mud kitchen and sandbox play
- Hiking
- Creek exploration
- Plant, animal, and rock identification
- Gardening and environmental stewardship
- Campfire building
How can I enroll my child in your programs?
Do you have boundaries and rules in place?
Well, yes.
Even though we are a child-led program, we recognize that there are safety risks surrounding some of the activities that we offer.
It is important to note that a risk assessment takes place prior to offering each of these activities, and we will use a risk-benefit tool to determine if the activity is the right fit for our program.
In saying this, we will always provide the children with guidelines, and a staff will consistently check in with the children to determine level of comfort, and ensure that said guidelines are being followed.
Our program places a big emphasis on environmental stewardship, and respecting the land and space that we are so fortunate to play in. We have a zero tolerance policy (outlined in our handbook) that does not allow for any discriminatory, disrespectful, or harmful behaviour towards the land or other people within the space.