“I was sick of my children getting in trouble just for being kids,” says Amber Brown, co-founder of Barefoot University. “In 2019, I reached out to a Facebook group for moms and asked if anyone wanted to start a forest school. Madeleine Braden, a fellow mom who is also a gardener, said she did. The rest is history.”

And what a history it is! From two moms meeting at a park with their kids and wondering if anyone would show up, Barefoot University now has 16 chapters spread across three states.

Barefoot University is a forest school that connects kids to nature by encouraging child-led experiences, play, and outdoor hands-on learning. One of Amber’s and Madeleine’s goals was to build community—for themselves and their children—so the groups meet weekly throughout the school year.

Unlike most conventional schools, kids of all ages do the activities together at BU. This is a common feature among homeschool communities; in my experience, it has enormous benefits. The younger kids often look up to and emulate the older kids, and the older ones gain confidence and leadership skills.

Barefoot University’s program is purposely designed so each activity has the potential for more (or less) in-depth learning based on the child’s skill level, age, and parental preference. Ages 5–8 focus on exploration and observation; ages 9–13 learn to analyze and navigate; and ages 14 and above focus on practical application and independence.

Barefoot University rotates through four yearly rhythms—earth, sky, water, and fire. The weekly activities are related to the element. The fire element seems particularly interesting as it focuses on survival skills, first aid, orienteering, outdoor safety, self-reliance, and physical skills.

In addition to the weekly meetups, BU communities host field trips to create more learning opportunities. Field trips range from visiting a different park to explore, fossil hunt, hike, etc. to visiting a local farm, camping, and visiting nature centers.

Each group also has community service opportunities throughout the year to help the children learn the importance of serving others. When possible, the service projects fit the theme of each season and rhythm—such as raking leaves for shut-ins during the fall, park clean-up days, and volunteering at an animal farm or garden.

As a homeschool group, BU is there to support families in their educational goals. Community leaders facilitate the activities, but they are not teachers. The activities give families a starting point so they can learn and explore together and with the rest of the community.

Amber is amazed at how quickly Barefoot University has grown. “I had no idea there was so much interest in outdoor education,” she says. “By getting kids outside—and off screens—we’re helping them learn social skills, risk-taking, and creative problem solving as they learn about the world around them. These are crucial life skills.”

And, as far as I can tell, they’re having a great time doing it.

Amber and Madeleine are passionate about the benefits of Barefoot University, so they want to help others start their own communities. They keep costs low—Amber says it’s less than $10 a month—so that all families can participate. And they give away scholarships for families who need help. You can learn more and connect with them on the Barefoot University website.