CBI Forest School
CBI Forest School provides children an opportunity to experience the rhythms of Jewish life by connecting with the wonder and joy of our natural world. We foster curiosity to develop a love of learning rooted in questions, listening, observation, synthesis, and connection. By participating in outdoor, experiential learning, students become active participants in their educational journey, learning with agency, interconnectedness, and responsibility to their greater community. In dynamic partnership with families, we create inquisitive stewards of the world who understand that knowledge is a gift.
In March 2020, CBI Preschool and Kindergarten closed its doors along with the rest of the world and embarked on virtual learning. By the summer, we knew this could only be a temporary fix. We dreamed of what we could create to support our children and our community and a forest school plan was born.
By inviting the older siblings to attend, we ensured our school would remain a tight-knit community and stay in-person during the pandemic. Within weeks, we had 106 students enrolled, podded in classes by family, and a new forest location just outside of the city limits. The Jewish Forest School began its journey.
We learned that when communities are clear in vision and hope, the terrain can be managed no matter how difficult. The success is beyond our imaginations. We not only survived through the pandemic, we thrived! Like all great Jewish stories, the idea for the Forest School was formulated for our safety but turned out to be something more. We learned that the outdoors provides the perfect tapestry for innovative Jewish learning experiences.
