Ursa Farm School

Group of people planting seedlings in a garden near a barn
A Waldorf-themed table decorated for with a pumpkin, a red table runner, a vase with purple flowers, a small glass jar, a gray candle holder with a candle, a shell, a booklet titled 'In the Light of a Child,' and a few small decorative items.

Waldorf-inspired learning on the farm and in the forest

At Ursa Farm School we believe that each human being has inherent value, and that each child should be supported and allowed to grow towards their full potential. This means that we take into account the whole individual, as well as, the group and the learning environment. We are inspired by the work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner and his work in education and child development.

We create a rhythm to each day, month and season that includes intellectual, artistic, and practical skills, while emphasizing imagination, creativity, and hands-on, experiential learning. We integrate arts (like music, painting, movement) and we try to foster independent thinking through a close teacher-student bond, as well as, allowing children to work through challenges as a group. We spend most, if not all, of the day outside in the forest, in the garden and fields, and with the farm animals. We deeply value nature and free imaginative play; and we do not use any technology in our programs.

  • Farming activities are flexible depending on what the needs are of all who live here. Some examples of farming activities include:

    • feeding and caring for animals

    • collecting eggs

    • homesteading skills & traditional hand tools

    • wool shearing, processing, spinning, and crafting

    • gardening

    • baking and cooking with ingredients from the farm

    • fencing care

    • fixing and building projects

  • The actvities vary depending on the needs of the group and the seasons. Here are some example

    • primitive fire starting (when regulations permit)

    • making and hauling firewood

    • building shelters and forts

    • creating with clay, mud, nature items

    • nature art projects

    • hiking

    • whittling

    • relaxing in hammocks

    • foraging

    • group games

    • nature meditation using our senses (aka “a sit spot”)

    • lots and lots of free play to create games and eplore wat they like to!

  • Waldorf education aims to teach children through practical experiences with their thinking, feeling, and willing capacities. This enables a deeper understanding and love for learning about the world and ourselves.

    We focus on following the rhythms of life and the natural world. We create a flexible agenda for the day that allows children periods of activity and rest, intersperced with periods of focused, directed activities and free play.

    Children feel secure when we as leaders create routines that they come to know and can count on, and that reflect the natural world they are living in. This is done throughout the day with the use of verses, music & songs, games, stories and art, which highlight the time of day and season we are living in.

    For more information or if you have questions, please feel free to contact us.

  • Farm school is similar in many ways to the forest school movement. Below you will find the many benefits, including academic imporvement, for your child.

    The forest school movement originated in Denmark as a parent led initiave in the 1950’s, it was a state supported model there by the 1980’s. Since then forest schools have become increasingly popular in Europe, and now are spreading across North America and the world since the early 2000’s.

    This shows an increase in parents recognition that children need and benefit greatly from a connection with nature. Today there is plenty of research indicating that a deeper connection with nature is not only healthy for all of us, but it also has major positive impacts on childrens ability to learn the fundamental school subjects, such as math, reading, writing, sciences, etc.

    It has been shown that not only will your child not fall behind by missing a regular school day, but their learning should improve. Not to mention, they will also receive benefits for their social, emotional, cognitive, and developmental growth, in addition to their academic learning.

    Please feel free to reach out to us for more information or with questions.

Farm School sessions

Check our listings to see the adventure-filled farm school programs we have planned! Sign up early to secure a spot for your child.

Age Groups

The Wee Flock - Ages 4-6
Tuesdays Full Days (9am-3pm) or Half Days (9am-12pm)

The Happy Herd - (Ages 7-14)
Thursdays 9am - 3pm

The Wild Pack - (Ages 13-16)
One Saturday Afternoon per Month, 1pm - 4pm
(MORE DETAILS COMING SOON FOR THIS GROUP, IF INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT US)

Cost

$50 / full day (9am - 3pm)

$35 / half day (9am - 12pm) (Wee Flock only)

4 week sessions = $200 full days, $140 half days

3 week sessions = $150 full days, $105 half days

There is a sibling discount of 20% for each sibling of a full paying child is available.

To help limit financial constraints with affording Farm School attendance, a scholarship is available based on available donations. Currently, there is one free enrolment position available per farm school session. Please contact for details and how to apply. This is donated by the farmers of Ursa Farm.

To help us support more families send their children to farm school, please donate to our Farm School Scholarship Fund.


Upcoming Sessions


Wee Flock Sessions - Click listing for details

Happy Herd Sessions - Click listing for details

Wild Pack Sessions - Click listing for details

Register for an upcoming Farm School Session

Kind words about Farm School

  • "We are so very thankful for Ursa Farm and Forest School and their program offerings in our community. Children spend their time learning and playing and creating in a beautiful natural setting. Suzanna, Justin, and Sharon are wonderful instructors, who create a welcoming environment. Our daughter has attended the weekly program since its inception, and loves the time she spends there. Thank you!!!!"

    — Jessy (farm school parent)

  • “Both my children have attended Ursa Farm and Forest school and always love their time spent on the farm. The knowledge and experience they have got the chance to be apart of has been so beneficial and positive to their well being and mental health. I would highly recommend Ursa farm school to all children!”

    — Emily (farm school parent)

  • "This farm school is a highlight of our sons week! he has learned and grew so much, Suzanna's experience and calm nature makes her a perfect person to facilitate this. We're very grateful to have the opportunity to bring our son here. If you are considering signing up, don't hesitate!"

    — Kelsey (farm school parent)


Farm School Teachers

  • Suzanna in a plaid shirt and cap shows something to three children sitting on a hammock in a wooded area, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.

    Suzanna

    Farm Teacher, Administrator

    Suzanna combines her degrees in psychology and health, with her passion for homesteading, Waldorf education and biodynamic farming to create and lead developmentally appropriate programs for each age group at Farm School.

  • Justin in a plaid shirt and khaki pants wearing rubber boots and a baseball cap, standing outdoors with a turkey nearby, holding two white buckets in each hand.

    Justin

    Farm Teacher

    Justin brings his enthusiasm for forestry, building and farming, together with his MSW degree and experience in the mental health field, to guide children in traditional skills, games and mindfulness activities.

  • Sharon wearing a red knit hat, green jacket with Canadian flag, and gardening gloves, holds a small tree sapling in a garden or field with a fence and a wooded area in the background.

    Sharon

    Art Teacher

    Sharon combines her life long study and practice of anthroposophical art together with her vast experience working with people of all abilities and needs, both in art therapy and Camphill Communities. All children are artists, and with her patient, gentle guidance in art class she helps them find the confidence to see this in themselves.

  • Close-up of a Layla with light skin, freckles, blue eyes, dark hair, wearing earrings and a patterned scarf, smiling in front of a gray tiled background.

    Leyla

    Art & Nature Teacher

    Leyla offers her gentle and patient guidance together with her artistic abilities. She is a homeschooling mom of 3, Waldorf educated with a diploma in Visual Arts, and enjoys learning, creating, teaching art to children and time in nature.

Who We Are

We are so grateful to have a wonderful team of people who work together to create a special atmosphere with thoughtful activities for the children to thrive in their learning. Our programs take into account the whole child and aims to engage with their thinking, feeling, and willing/active capacities.

Our current leaders have a range of experience in Waldorf education, psychology and therapeutic trainings, homesteading and farming skills, fine arts, and working with children of various ages and abilities.

(All leaders are required to have a background and vulnerable sector check,, as well as, CPR/First Aid Level C training).


Work positions available

WE ARE HIRING -
This position has been filled

We are looking to hire an assistant facilitator who has experience working with children and has a love of nature. An interest in Waldorf education and farming is an asset, but we will train and support the right person. A teaching degree is not required. Must be willing to obtain or have a background check and First Aid/CPR certification. Must be willing and able to be outdoors for long periods of time, in various weather conditions and sometimes on rough terrain.
1-2 days per week, 6 hrs/day, pay is based on experience.

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