FR

Become a certified Forest & Nature School Practitioner

The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada aims to support high-quality Forest/Nature School practice and programming through evidence-based, practical, and inspiring professional learning opportunities, community building, and advocacy.

Our goal is for all children in Canada to have the opportunity to lead their play and learning on the Land as an integral part of their education and healthy development.

See 2025 Courses

About the Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course

The Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course is a year-long certificate course that consists of both in-person outdoor, experiential learning, as well as an optional, online self-directed certification. We have been offering this course since 2012, adapting and improving it each year based on participant feedback and the ever-evolving Forest/Nature School landscape in Canada. While some things have changed, what remains consistent is our intention to offer an immersive and transformative professional learning experience with like-minded educators and the Land.

We currently offer the course in two formats:

Original

Five consecutive days of in-person learning outside, followed by an optional 365 days of online coursework to receive certification. Please note that both the in-person and online parts of the course are required for certification. (See “Invest in Your Career” below, for more information.)

Modular

Five days of in-person learning outside (spread over two weekends, usually six to eight weeks apart), followed by an optional 365 days of online coursework to receive certification. Please note that both the in-person and online parts of the course are required for certification. (See “Invest in Your Career” below, for more information.)

We currently offer four pathways to certification:

Lead Designation in a Regulated Setting


This designation is for professionals that currently work in a regulated setting like a licensed childcare program, a school, an extra-curricular program or other program where children attend regularly.

Lead Designation in an Independent Setting


This designation is for those interested in running independent programming, such as new private Forest/Nature School Programs.

Support Designation in an Existing Setting


This designation is for those working in an existing Forest/Nature based program as support to other trained professionals.

Administrator Designation in a Regulated Setting

This designation is a theory-based, non-practicum certification designed for administrators who provide support to uncertified teachers to facilitate regulated nature-based programming for children within Canadian school boards.

Invest in Your Career

5-Day In Person Training

$ 1950

per personIncludes 40 hours of in-person training on the Land with experienced Facilitators.

*Please note that the in-person training is a prerequisite for completing the online coursework and receiving certification.*

Online Coursework & Certification (Optional)

$ 295

per personIncludes 365 days of online coursework through our online learning platform, access to our Practitioners Community where you can connect in real time with practitioners and CNAC Facilitators across the country, virtual gatherings led by CNAC Facilitators, introduction to regional and national communities of practice, and Forest & Nature School Practitioner Certification upon completion. *Please note that the in-person training is a prerequisite for completing the online coursework and receiving certification*
Kindly note, accommodations, travel expenses, and meals are not included in the course fees. Participants are responsible for booking their own travel and accommodation, as well as bringing their own meals to the in-person training days. We include some lodging options in the Welcome Package that participants receive upon registration. If you would like a list of suggested accommodations please let us know and we can provide options for you to review!

Please read our Terms and Conditions in the “Frequently Asked Questions” section below. 

Our Commitment to Truth Telling and Reconciliation

Relationship with the Land is at the heart of what we do, and this Land is Indigenous Land. 

Although many people in Canada trace the roots of “Forest/Nature School” back to the United Kingdom, and look to CNAC as a national leader in land-based learning, we acknowledge that Indigenous peoples have been learning with the Land since time immemorial. 

As a white settler-founded organization that works on and benefits from stolen Land, we have appropriated and caused harm to Indigenous Peoples’ knowledges and sovereignty on this Land. We have come to understand that we cannot ethically speak of learning and connecting with the Land without telling the truth about its colonization, and honouring and centring Indigenous sovereignty as we support the development of relationships to the earth in a holistic way. We are grateful to the many Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, communities, and team members who have worked with us over the last 10 years and have supported us in deepening our understanding and responsibilities to our core values of Justice, Truth, Community, and Accountability.

The CNAC team is learning to care deeply about past, present, and future generations, and living in right-relations with ourselves, each other, and the Land. We are committed to co-creating current and future programming with Indigenous partners, so that our programming  is safe, meaningful, and culturally relevant for all participants. 

To that end, we endeavour to center Indigenous voices in the Practitioners Course by:

  • Listening to and collaborating with Indigeneous peoples across Canada to identify best practices of how to work, live and reciprocal relationship with Land 
  • Centering the regional, traditional knowledges gifted from Elders, Knowledge Sharers and other Indigenous community members everytime we gather on the Land
  • Empowering our partners across Canada to build long-term, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous peoples and First Nations. 
  • Working to break down financial and other barriers for Indigenous participants
  • Inviting and hiring more Indigenous peoples across Canada  to engage in this work with us
  • Discussing with participants our collective and individual responsibilities to truth telling and reconciliation as educators seeking to foster connections among children and the Land
  • Highlighting and centering Indigenous voices and  knowledge in our recommended resources
  • Continually analyzing and re-working our programs with Indigenous team members, hosts, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers across Canada, so that they might better serve both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada, in alignment with our values of Justice, Truth, Community, and Accountability.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Practitioners Course

What will be covered?

Our conversation and discussions will be guided by the Elder or Knowledge Sharer present, acknowledging that their knowledge and teachings are incredibly valuable to this work. In keeping with the Forest School approach, this course is learner-led, emergent, inquiry-driven, and playful! We explore those pedagogies, tell stories, and dive deeply into supporting risky play. We may practice “hard” skills such as firebuilding, knots and tool work depending on the needs and interests of the group. And we share practical tips, recommendations, policies, and protocols for the day to day operations of a Forest/Nature School program. Please note: We do not extensively discuss “how to start a forest school” in terms of legislation or licensing requirements, which vary from province to province, and territory to territory. We recommend that you seek your own legal counsel and guidance from an insurance professional, and many of the course assignments are designed to help you put together the documentation legal and insurance professionals (and parents!) will ask of you. As each day unfolds, we will deepen our relationships with the Land, each other and ourselves.

Quick List of Themes we Explore:

Relationship with Land and Working with the Land in your unique context

Relationship with Play

Relationship with Story

Relationship with Learning

Relationship with Power

Relationship with Trust

Relationship with Risk

Throughout the course we will hold space for conversations and experiences that bring these essential relationships to life within the context of Forest and Nature School. Some of the questions we may dive into include:

  • Who or what has rights to the Land? Who or what has rights to take from the Land? In what way?
  • How is our relationship with the Land? How can we deepen it and foster meaningful connection with it among children?
  • What is emergent, child-led, play-based, and inquiry-driven learning? What does it look like, sound like, feel like, and what is our role as educators?
  • What is risky play, why is it important, and how can we support it?
  • How might we use fire, tools, and ropes, knots, and tarps to enrich our programs?
  • What does a “typical day” at Forest/NatureSchool look like? How can this work in a “regular” school?

 

Are there required documents for the course?

Participants who choose to pursue the online coursework and certification must ensure that the necessary insurance coverage, current vulnerable sector check (valid within the last 2 years), and Standard First Aid with CPR Level C training are in place before delivering the practicum sessions. Please note that First Aid training is not included in the Practitioners Course, and must be acquired in order to receive certification.

What about the online, self-directed learning? Are there assigned readings and coursework?

If you choose to complete the online coursework for certification, you will have 365 days from your first login on the online learning platform after your in-person training. During this time, you can engage in self-directed learning with support from peers and CNAC Facilitators in the Practitioner Community Forums, as well as optional virtual gatherings led by CNAC Facilitators. There are many resources we recommend and you will use them to complete the assignments required for certification. Please note: The number of assignments you are required to complete depends on the certification pathway you choose. See above for more information.

The assignments will prompt you to go deeper with themes introduced during your in-person, and to develop the documentation you will need to safely start and run a high-quality Forest/Nature School program. You will be encouraged to complete your assignments in whatever way feels most meaningful to you. That may mean that some assignments are written, while others are more audio/visual. It will be up to you!

How long does it take to complete the course?

Practitioners are expected to complete all course elements within the 365 days timeframe, and we encourage participants to prepare to invest 2-5 hours/week reading, reflecting, connecting with the Land, and completing coursework. Please remember, this is a learner-led, highly self-directed program, and CNAC will not be checking up on you and enforcing readings or assignment completion.

How do I register?

Registration for courses happens on a rolling basis. Registration is a three-step process:

Step 1: Discover Your Course & Register
Find the perfect course for you directly on our website or through our social media channels. Once you’ve made your choice, simply click the registration link to begin.

Step 2: Complete Your Registration Form
You’ll be directed to a registration page where you’ll fill out a form with some basic information and a few questions, and provide your informed consent. This form typically takes 10-20 minutes to complete. We recommend setting aside the full 20 minutes to finish it in one sitting. This will help prevent timeouts and ensure you secure your spot in the course without interruption.

Step 3: Finalize Payment & Get Started!
After completing the registration form, you’ll be prompted to complete payment for the five days of your in-person course experience.

Once your payment is processed, you’ll receive three important emails:

  • An order receipt for your payment.
  • A welcome email confirming your enrollment.
  • A second welcome email with instructions to set up your profile on our online learning platform. This platform will give you access to your course materials and all the essential information you need to get started!

Important Notes:
Online Coursework & Certification – On the last day of your in-person experience, a module will become available on the online platform. This will give you the option to enroll and pay for the online coursework and certification portion of the course.
Waitlist Information – If a course is full, you’ll have the option to add yourself to a waitlist. If a spot becomes available, we’ll reach out to you. Please keep in mind that waitlist spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and do not carry over to the following year.

Terms and Conditions

Upon registering for the course, practitioners agree that:

In-Person Training

  • Refund Policy: In-person course fees are non-refundable if cancellation occurs within 12 weeks of the course start date. Course fees are also non-transferable. Please see our Cancellation and Refund Policy below.
  • Course Cancellation: The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada (CNAC) reserves the right to cancel any training course due to insufficient registration. Notification of cancellation will be provided no later than four weeks prior to the scheduled start date. In such cases, participants may choose a full refund or transfer their fees to another course.

Optional Online Certification, After Your Time on the Land

  • Completion Timeline: Participants have 365 days from the date of purchasing the optional online certification to complete all coursework and required practicum sessions.
  • Extensions: Extensions to the 365-day completion period will not be granted.
  • Refund Policy: Online certification course fees are non-refundable. Please see our Cancellation and Refund Policy below.
  • Prerequisites for Practicum: Participants must secure the following prior to delivering the required 7 practicum sessions:
  1. Proof of appropriate insurance coverage
  2. Valid Vulnerable Sector Check (recent – within last 2 years)
  3. Valid Standard First Aid with CPR Level C certification (Note: First Aid training is not included in the Practitioners Course and must be obtained independently to fulfill certification requirements)


Force Majeure:
In no event shall CNAC be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that CNAC shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.


Cancellation and Refund Policy:
All fees for the in-person training are due at the time of registration unless the participant has selected the 3-month installment payment option. In the event that you need to withdraw from the course due to unforeseen circumstances, a full refund will be issued upon request up to 12 weeks prior to the course start date. No refunds will be granted for cancellations made within 12 weeks of the course start date. Course fees are also non-transferable. In cases of extenuating circumstances, participants who cancel within this 12-week period may be offered the option to defer their enrollment to a future course within the next 12 months.

We understand that lump-sum payments may not be accessible for everyone, so we are currently exploring options to support greater accessibility. We hope to make this available in the future. We apologize for any inconvenience.

We encourage participants to carefully consider their schedules and commitments before enrolling in the online certification. Participants will have 365 days from the first login to complete coursework, and extensions are not available at this time. Please note that online certification course fees are non-refundable.

How can this certification meet my needs as a professional?

All participants who take this course will gain knowledge and skills in leading play and learning on the Land with children. After the in-person training, participants have the option of pursuing certification by choosing a designation path. They will complete an assignment package based on their designation and professional needs over 12 months. Throughout the course, participants will have opportunities to:

  • Develop and reflect on their own personal relationship with Land, and how to develop and nurture relationship with Land with the children that they work with.
  • Assess and manage risky play in a way that helps children, team members and administrators feel confident to manage and accept risk as an important part of play.
  • Engage with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, and to reflect on the current relationships their program has with local First Nations and Indigenous peoples. 
  • Add to or revise institutional policies to include regular, equitable access to nature in their program settings.
  • Develop and lead forest/nature school sessions with room for reflection with their course mentors.

Who is this course for? Are there prerequisites?

At this time, there are no official prerequisites for this course. This course is designed for child-focused professionals, parents and caregivers who have influence on the learning experiences of children. Whether you are starting a program at your school or childcare facility, or exploring opening your own Nature Based program, this course can help you! 

A background understanding of the emergent learning process can be helpful to course participants, but is not required. This course has a flexible structure that takes learning out of the classroom and onto the Land. It’s unlike any course you’ve taken. Be prepared to learn from and be guided by the First Peoples of the Land when learning how to live in good relationship with Land.

This course is most often taken by educators and early learning professionals, but we’ve also noticed an increased attendance of homeschooling parents, outdoor enthusiasts or professional guides, recreation workers, social workers, occupational therapists and health care professionals.

Please connect with us if you’re considering attending and still have questions.

Course Offerings

British Columbia

Alberta

Calgary, AB

Host: CNAC
Location: Fish Creek Provincial Park [Exact Location: TBD]
Dates: October 6 – 10, 2025

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Ontario

Quebec

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

Newfoundland and Labrador

Yukon / Northwest Territories / Nunavut

Interested in hosting the Forest and Nature School Practitioners course in your community? Apply now.

Testimonials

“This course surprised and exceeded my expectations. The ideas I had about the course were not the full picture of everything that was packed into this experience. It was so much more!”

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to network with the other participants. The sense of community was very valuable. I also liked the opportunities to have conversation amongst smaller groups with a given subject, prompt, or idea to discuss. It provided different perspectives & knowledge that I would not have gotten from simply reading a book.”

“Honestly, this course challenged me in a lot of ways and has me rethinking my work in my classroom. I felt the most meaningful part was the work on Indigenous perspectives. ”

“The stories that were told and the connections we made with the land were both powerful and humbling. I felt honoured to be a part of the training and to gather with local people.”

“I have a much deeper understanding of the work I need to do now. I honestly had no idea what reconciliation really is.”

“The entire session was incredible. I wish it was longer. The facilitators were so warm, professional and knowledgeable.”

“I would recommend your program to anyone with interest in bringing children closer to nature. I was more than pleased with the course and what I learned. I can see what I still need to learn/experience/practice. It has given me the confidence to move forward in creating a forest school program.”