Ways of the Wild

Ages 7-12 | Monthly Saturdays
Accepting registrations for trial days

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Ways of the Wild provides youth ages 7-12 with an exciting, safe and meaningful way to explore and engage in the natural world. Learn how the animals live every day in the wild, finding all their food, medicine, shelter, and water.  Learn the old skills that have allowed kids all over the world to thrive in nature!

  • Curriculum

    Take a more in-depth look at our forest school and wilderness awareness curriculum to see what skills and experiences your child can expect to learn.

    Learn more

  • Locations

    Our primary full-time campus for the 2026/27 season will be at the BGCSVI Metchosin site located at 3900 Metchosin Rd. Click below for photos.

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  • Mentors

    Get to know the team behind Thriving Roots Wilderness School and learn more about your child’s program mentors.

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  • Ways of the Wild parent, 2021-24

    “My daughters’ favourite Saturdays are Ways of the Wild Saturdays. She couldn't wait to arrive and see the leaders and kids. From making tea, bracelets (from roots), and maple fritters, to learning how to carve and start fires - every Saturday dinner time she excitedly shared story after story of her adventures. We loved hearing every one of them. She really appreciated the trust and independence the leaders gave freely to the kids. She felt like a valued person by all the mentors.

    Thank you! All the mentors have left such a wonderful impression on our daughter. She doesn't always express herself freely, but I do know that when she comes back from her Saturdays with all of you, she is full of joy, stories, and a smile from ear-to-ear.”

  • Ways of the Wild parent

    “Each program's unique TR mentors become much-loved members of our learning community. They are gentle and kind, creative and brave! Their approach to teaching skills and modelling behaviours in the wild offers an incredibly valuable dynamic to my daughter's education. Year after year I see my daughter's roots in nature growing stronger, along with her confidence to explore on her own and in community. TR is a grounding, connecting source for our whole family.”

  • Thriving Roots parent

    My daughter’s confidence has really grown in the past few years in this program. It has really helped her socially, in part because of the multi-age environment. Her knowledge of the outdoors becomes deeper each year, and her ability to express it and teach others is so amazing!

  • Thriving Roots parent

    Thriving Roots has become a foundational program for our home learning family. Not only are its programs facilitated by wonderfully knowledgeable and loving mentors, but it truly manifests the values and teachings that reflect our inherent connection to the natural world, and that are so urgently needed for us and our children at this time.

  • Thriving Roots parent

    This program lets [my daughter] be her wild self, without school teachers or parents. I really value the style of mentoring and the guidance it gives while still maintaining each individual’s needs and ideas.

  • September 2026 - June 2027. One Saturday per month. 10am-4pm at the BGCSVI Metchosin site located at 3900 Metchosin Rd.

    • Sept 12

    • Oct 17

    • Nov 14

    • Dec 12

    • Jan 16

    • Feb 13

    • March 13

    • April 10

    • May 8

    • June 12

  • Tuition: $855 (includes $150 deposit & registration fee) + GST.

    Payment Options:

    • Credit Card: Deposit + 9 monthly instalments, or

    • Credit Card & Distributed Learning Funds: Deposit + DL Funds + Remaining balance

    Distributed Learning Funds: TRWS is registered with a number of funders e.g. Self Design, Heartwood Learning Community. We happily accept a combination of distributed learning funds and credit card. Email info@thrivingroots.org with any questions or to arrange details.

    Cancellation & Refund Policy: Please note that your registration commitment is for the full 9-month term. Please familiarise yourself with our Registration Policies before registering.

  • Eric and TBD.

    They may also be joined by an adult apprentice from our Tend the Fire Apprenticeship program.

    Read more about the Thriving Roots team here.

  • We are committed to offering needs-based Equity Fund Discounts to those who would not otherwise be able to attend our programs due to experiencing systemic barriers to wealth accumulation. Read more and apply here.

  • To ensure we can meet as many needs as possible, and deliver high quality services, we require information regarding participants who may need extra support while at our programs. This is a huge help to our mentors and allows them to feel informed and prepared about their group's needs and dynamics to enable a supportive environment for all. 

    Fill out our Behavioural Access Needs & Support Strategies form and we’ll be in touch with next steps before registering. Please make sure to familiarise yourself with our Registration Policies.

    • Download our recommended gear list here.

    • We will send out a program contact list to support with carpooling before the program start date.

Program Details

Register Here