building community through land-based programming

Registration for Winter 2025 is open!

Visit our Programs pages for more info and registration links!

Little Coyotes Forest Kinder

Enrollment is now open for a few available spots (Sacramento location) starting in January 2025 for our land-based, all-outdoor Forest Kinder program!

 

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Did you know we have adult & community programs too?

read more here

Donate to our equity fund!

Your generous support feeds our tuition assistance & reparations fund, so that we can continue to provide accessible programming to all our local families while also paying our amazing employees a living wage.

donate here

Davis Forest School is a non-profit outdoor education and nature play organization in Northern California. We value building community through land-based programming, and creating and maintaining a supportive space that allows others to explore and grow.

We hold our programs on the ancestral lands of the Patwin Wintun/Yocha DeHe Wintun Nation (Davis & Woodland area), and the Nisenan people (Sacramento area). These people have always been deeply connected to the land, and have stewarded it over countless generations. We are committed to acknowledging and respecting their history, culture, and ongoing presence as we engage with and learn from the natural world around us.

“As parents, we seek every opportunity to help our daughter find joy and possibility in the natural world. We’re privileged to have Davis Forest School as a partner and guide on this journey. To see your child embrace the outdoors with an unfettered spirit of discovery and play renews your soul and reminds you just how pure happiness can be.” – Mark

“This program fuels my child’s soul and spirit. The special and creative freedom he is given is unlike any program he’s been in before, and I’m overjoyed with his experience in this space.” -Sara

“DFS has been an absolute gift to us. The location is magical, the mentors caring and knowledgeable, and the structure has been the right balance of free exploration and suggested activity for our daughter. The guidance has been gentle and respectful and our 5 year old is thriving with the independence she’s allowed to exercise in the program.” – a parent

“Forest school provides a beautiful opportunity for uninterrupted nature play, exploration, adventure, problem solving, and developing friendships. Our family has loved participating over the years! The mentors have a gentle and affirming approach to interacting with the children.” – a parent

“Davis Forest School provided an amazing experience for my child to explore nature in an educational and safe way with guidance from experienced and knowledgeable instructors. Even as the youngest member of the class, and first time enrolled in a drop-off program, my child thrived in the Forest School environment. I would highly recommend this program to anyone considering it.” -Danielle