What is
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Forest and Nature School is an educational approach that takes place outdoors and emphasizes experiential learning through nature. Originating in Scandinavia, it has spread globally and is used in a large variety of educational settings. In Canada practitioners can be certified by Child and Nature Alliance of Canada.
The core idea is that children learn best when they are engaged in real, hands-on experiences in natural environments. Forest Schools typically involve regular sessions in a woodland or natural setting, where children participate in activities like exploring, building, playing, problem-solving, and observing nature. The approach promotes self-confidence, independence, and a love of learning by allowing children to take risks and make decisions in a natural, unstructured environment supported by committed educators. Key features include:
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About Program |
This child-directed play-based program will provide experiences that foster a growing relationship with the natural world. Through DISCOVERY, HEALTHY RISK-TAKING and MESSY FUN, participants will deepen their connection with nature, problem-solve and build on age-appropriate social skills. Our WHOLE-CHILD approach, combined with the Mount Saint Francis Retreat Centre site, provides an ideal learning environment.
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About Location |
Growing Roots takes place at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre on the north east edge of the Town of Cochrane. Our home base is in the back field surrounded by forest. We spend our days exploring some of the valleys and hills that make up the centre's property. We are so fortunate to be able to create a space just our own. We have added a large tent for warming, a fire circle for gathering and, of course, spaces for our mud kitchen, shelter building and other discoveries. Who knows where our days will take us!
We have added a second location at Souto Farms Local Market in Airdrie. |
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About Our Team
Gisele Hardock - Owner
Hi, I’m Gisele Hardock, Owner of Growing Roots Forest Play since 2023. I am passionate about connecting children with nature, in the many forms that can take. My son was in the first Forest School preschool class run by Growing Roots in 2017. Seeing the impact of this program firsthand, I was excited to join the team when he moved on to kindergarten. Now, I'm thrilled to lead this passionate team, dedicated to providing the best play-based child-led nature immersion programs.
My love for nature began with summers on my grandparent’s farm near Sundre, Alberta, then years in the Jr. Forest Warden program, camping, hiking, cross-country skiing and adventuring with my family all over Alberta. This is a legacy I continue today with my own family. With a B.A in Sociology and Linguistics I spent over a decade as an engineering technician in the oil and gas industry. Now, as a Master Beekeeper, artist, permaculture gardener and dedicated Forest School leader (CNAC certified Forest School Preactitioner) I am able to follow my passion of helping kids connect with themselves, each other, and the land in lasting and meaningful ways. I believe in hands-on, experiential learning and empowering children so they can reach their true potential.
Hi, I’m Gisele Hardock, Owner of Growing Roots Forest Play since 2023. I am passionate about connecting children with nature, in the many forms that can take. My son was in the first Forest School preschool class run by Growing Roots in 2017. Seeing the impact of this program firsthand, I was excited to join the team when he moved on to kindergarten. Now, I'm thrilled to lead this passionate team, dedicated to providing the best play-based child-led nature immersion programs.
My love for nature began with summers on my grandparent’s farm near Sundre, Alberta, then years in the Jr. Forest Warden program, camping, hiking, cross-country skiing and adventuring with my family all over Alberta. This is a legacy I continue today with my own family. With a B.A in Sociology and Linguistics I spent over a decade as an engineering technician in the oil and gas industry. Now, as a Master Beekeeper, artist, permaculture gardener and dedicated Forest School leader (CNAC certified Forest School Preactitioner) I am able to follow my passion of helping kids connect with themselves, each other, and the land in lasting and meaningful ways. I believe in hands-on, experiential learning and empowering children so they can reach their true potential.
Kaylee Hope - Registrar
Hello, I’m Kaylee Hope, self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast (although I also received my Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership (ETOL) Degree in 2018). I am a true believer in the Norwegian philosophy friluftsliv, which translates to “free air life.” Friluftsliv is a way of life, incorporating all things wild into daily life. This philosophy shares my belief that outdoor experiences positively affect all individuals, especially youth. I am excited to be part of the Growing Roots team and share my previous experiences from leading outdoor summer camps, educating youth about Alberta’s natural environment, working with other forest schools, and of course the lifelong practices I have learned through the ETOL community. I’m excited to see your little one’s smiling faces each and every day and look forward to continually being inspired by their love of nature.
Hello, I’m Kaylee Hope, self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast (although I also received my Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership (ETOL) Degree in 2018). I am a true believer in the Norwegian philosophy friluftsliv, which translates to “free air life.” Friluftsliv is a way of life, incorporating all things wild into daily life. This philosophy shares my belief that outdoor experiences positively affect all individuals, especially youth. I am excited to be part of the Growing Roots team and share my previous experiences from leading outdoor summer camps, educating youth about Alberta’s natural environment, working with other forest schools, and of course the lifelong practices I have learned through the ETOL community. I’m excited to see your little one’s smiling faces each and every day and look forward to continually being inspired by their love of nature.
Erin Fowler - Facilitator
Hello! My name is Erin Fowler and I am a lover of all things outdoors! My passion for being outside began very young when my parents, both geology professors, would take my sister and I on hikes deep into the backcountry to collect rock samples or scout places to bring their students. My journey of working in the outdoors started when I decided to work as a summer camp counselor at Camp Chief Hector after I graduated high school. I loved watching kids fall in love with nature and quickly became passionate about a career in outdoor learning. I completed my degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership in the spring of 2022 and am now working on my Masters of Environmental Education and Communication. When I'm not getting muddy with the kids at Growing Roots, you can find me trail running, hiking, mountain biking, or cross-country skiing.
Hello! My name is Erin Fowler and I am a lover of all things outdoors! My passion for being outside began very young when my parents, both geology professors, would take my sister and I on hikes deep into the backcountry to collect rock samples or scout places to bring their students. My journey of working in the outdoors started when I decided to work as a summer camp counselor at Camp Chief Hector after I graduated high school. I loved watching kids fall in love with nature and quickly became passionate about a career in outdoor learning. I completed my degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership in the spring of 2022 and am now working on my Masters of Environmental Education and Communication. When I'm not getting muddy with the kids at Growing Roots, you can find me trail running, hiking, mountain biking, or cross-country skiing.
Cindy Wilde - Facilitator
Hello! My name is Cindy Wilde. Everyone belongs in nature. Every. One.The benefits of being outdoors are immense. And those benefits aren't just experienced through my teaching degree, or my art degree (though they exist in those realms too), but are experienced through the smell of an approaching storm, or catching snowflakes on tongues. It's the creativity and the free-play the outdoors encourages--enhances--that truly makes us (young and old(er)) connect: to ourselves and each other. I love having my kids in this program, and I am honoured (stoked!) to be on this team leading and learning alongside your kids.
Hello! My name is Cindy Wilde. Everyone belongs in nature. Every. One.The benefits of being outdoors are immense. And those benefits aren't just experienced through my teaching degree, or my art degree (though they exist in those realms too), but are experienced through the smell of an approaching storm, or catching snowflakes on tongues. It's the creativity and the free-play the outdoors encourages--enhances--that truly makes us (young and old(er)) connect: to ourselves and each other. I love having my kids in this program, and I am honoured (stoked!) to be on this team leading and learning alongside your kids.
Hello! I'm Ali Hardock. My pronouns are they/them. I'm studying at Uof C for a sociology degree. I like horseback riding and camping in the summer with my family. I volunteered for the Growing Roots Ranche Ramblers program for two springs before I started working here in 2022. I find how kids learn and interact with the world fascinating and I love being a part of that process.
Hello, my name is Sara Perrin and the outdoors has provided lifelong adventures. Growing up on a farm, attending and working at summer camps, out-trips on land and water, exploring nature with my family and many other outdoor experiences have reinforced how integral nature is to heathy living. Personal learning has come from adventures on Lakes Huron, Erie, Superior and Wabamun, working in Ontario at Camp Kintail and Alberta at YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre, studying at Lakehead University's Outdoor Recreation program, seventeen years with my Saskatchewan ranching-roots husband and my amazing fifteen year old son. I believe that the outdoors is the best place to grow at any age.
Our Founders
Honouring our Roots - we will be ever grateful to Lori Toma and Laura Spruyt for their vision, dedication and hard work bringing Growing Roots to life.
Laura Spruyt - Co-Founder
Hello, I'm, Laura Spruyt (pronounced Sprout!), the founder and imagination behind Sprout Movement and co-founder of Growing Roots. I'm a recreation professional (Concordia University in Montreal) and have worked in and managed a variety of outdoor recreation settings from residential summer camps to mobile recreation outreach to outdoor centres. My passion has always been to ensure everyone is able to be involved and engaged in the outdoors. I love trail running, skiing and playing outside with my two kiddos!
Hello, I'm, Laura Spruyt (pronounced Sprout!), the founder and imagination behind Sprout Movement and co-founder of Growing Roots. I'm a recreation professional (Concordia University in Montreal) and have worked in and managed a variety of outdoor recreation settings from residential summer camps to mobile recreation outreach to outdoor centres. My passion has always been to ensure everyone is able to be involved and engaged in the outdoors. I love trail running, skiing and playing outside with my two kiddos!
Lori Toma - Co-Founder
Hi! I’m Lori Gray Toma, co-founder of Growing Roots Forest Play, where my passion for outdoor education and nature connection blossomed into a meaningful community-based business. With a MA in Environmental Education and an undergraduate degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership, I'm also a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner through Forest and Nature School Canada. I’ve had the privilege of working as an outdoor recreation programmer for youth at risk and special populations. Today, I bring that same passion for outdoor and land-based learning into my current faculty role in the Early Childhood Education department at Bow Valley College.
My heart will always be with the Growing Roots children, educators and families and currently my focus has shifted to influencing future educators and contributing to outdoor and land-based pedagogies. My family and I have called Cochrane home for more than 17 years, where we enjoy adventuring with our three kids and our dog and I'm thrilled to continue sharing my love for learning through nature in my work and personal life. I will continue to support Gisele and her team at Growing Roots however they see fit.
Hi! I’m Lori Gray Toma, co-founder of Growing Roots Forest Play, where my passion for outdoor education and nature connection blossomed into a meaningful community-based business. With a MA in Environmental Education and an undergraduate degree in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership, I'm also a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner through Forest and Nature School Canada. I’ve had the privilege of working as an outdoor recreation programmer for youth at risk and special populations. Today, I bring that same passion for outdoor and land-based learning into my current faculty role in the Early Childhood Education department at Bow Valley College.
My heart will always be with the Growing Roots children, educators and families and currently my focus has shifted to influencing future educators and contributing to outdoor and land-based pedagogies. My family and I have called Cochrane home for more than 17 years, where we enjoy adventuring with our three kids and our dog and I'm thrilled to continue sharing my love for learning through nature in my work and personal life. I will continue to support Gisele and her team at Growing Roots however they see fit.