The Forest School at Burrow Nature Center
Forest School prioritizes both structured activities and unstructured play time, fostering creativity, self-expression, and problem-solving skills. The program at the Burrow Nature Center builds confidence, resilience, and independence while emphasizing collaboration, good decision making, and effective communication. Children learn practical outdoor and survival skills alongside natural sciences and practical engineering concepts.
Nature-Based Learning
Through each season, students connect with the rhythms of the seasons and develop a deep appreciation for the environment. We encourage storytelling, arts and crafts, and local cultural history exploration to nurture creativity and self-expression. Our child-led learning approach empowers kids to follow their curiosity and take responsibility for their discoveries.
We also focus on emotional and cognitive development, helping children build strong relational skills and a practice of gratitude. By learning to steward natural resources, our students become responsible caretakers of the environment. Our Forest School creates lasting memories, new friendships, and instills a lifelong love for nature, preparing children to be confident, capable, and environmentally conscious individuals.
‘25-’26 Program Details
-
Spores Program
Children ages 1-3 with caregiver
Monthly, Saturdays
10:30am - 12:00pmThe Spores program is for early learners to discover and gain confidence in nature alongside their caregivers. Activities will engage the five senses and include activities like planting seeds , harvesting berries, or playing with clay and other natural objects.
Pricing
Single class: $10
Half season (4 classes): $30
Half Season Advance Discounts
We encourage families to register for a half season of sessions in advance. We offer a 25% discount for half season package purchases.Spring Season Schedule
Spring season registration includes classes offered from March - June.Spores Saturdays:
March 14, 2026
April 18, 2026
May 16, 2026
June 6, 2026
To Register
Click on our “registration” page, complete the form, then select your preferred session package. Your purchase can be processed via PayPal on our secure registration website. -
Sprouts Program
Children Ages 4+
Monthly Saturdays
9:30am - 12:00pm
With their peers and forest school teachers, the Sprouts program participants build a strong connection to the great outdoors through hands-on games, challenges, and explorations like map-making, plant and tree ID, and shelter building.
To participate in this program, students must be potty trained and ready for independent learning.
To Register
Click on our “registration” page, complete the form, then select your preferred session package. Your purchase can be processed via PayPal on our secure registration website.Pricing
Single class: $45
Spring Season Package (4 classes): $135
Season Package Discounts
We encourage families to register for the full season of Forest School in advance. We offer a 25% discount for season package purchases. Buy 3 classes, get 1 free!Sibling Discounts
To support siblings learning and growing together, we offer 5% off each additional child after the first. Just enter SIBLING5 at checkout. Note that a separate registration form + payment must be completed for each sibling.Spring Season Schedule
Spring season registration includes classes offered from March - June session. We are glad to consider additional classes on other days of the week if there is sufficient interest!
Saturdays
March 14, 2026
April 18, 2026
May 16, 2026
June 6, 2026
Our Vision
Many parents strive to give their children the life they never had. Jordan Bantuelle, lead Forest School teacher and Executive Director of Burrow Nature Center, is inspired to give his students the education he always yearned for as a child growing up in New Orleans. Even as early as third grade, Jordan remembers thinking, "There has got to be a better way of doing this." Perhaps you've asked similar questions: "Why can't learning be more relevant to life and the problems we face? Or more hands-on? More fun? Why are we stuck inside all day?"
As Toni Morrison wisely said, "If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." Jordan always envisioned more than just a book; he dreamed of an education center deeply connected to the natural world. In 2024, that dream fully materialized as the Burrow Nature Center, building on the conservation and education work begun by the All You Need Institute in 2017. When Jordan first saw this land—particularly the abundant gopher tortoise burrows and the extraordinary, lichen-covered sandhill—he knew this was the perfect place to bring his vision to life. He could not have done it without the dedicated support of a committed Board of Directors and innumerable volunteers and community members along the way.
All You Need Institute Partnership
Caregivers and children may enjoy time on the land before and after their child’s forest school class thanks to partnership with our sister organization, All You Need Institute.
Wifi, picnic tables, and other day-use accommodations are available from 8am-sundown. Visit the https://allyouneedinstitute.com/ to learn about day-use and overnight accommodations available.
The Forest School at Burrow Nature Center evolved out of the All You Need Institute program, which began operating in 2021 as part of the LLC campground and event venue. As the interest grew among the local community, volunteer board members joined the effort of transitioning the forest school to be a program of the nonprofit Burrow Nature Center. This allows us to raise funding for the programs through both grant applications and campaigns to raise charitable contributions from our supporters.
Thank you for your interest!