A drop-off nature-based education program for potty trained children ages 3-6 years old.

Our Wild Learning is excited to be partnering with We Grow Wildlings to expand forest school classes around Tampa Bay! As part of the Wildlings, Ranger Lauren will lead forest school classes utilizing the enriching We Grow Wildlings curriculum.

Wildlings Forest school with Ranger Lauren at OWL is a fully outdoor, morning drop-off program for potty-trained children ages 3–6. Enrollment is flexible, and families can register for many classes at once, or as late as the evening before class. 

Fall 2026 Schedule

Mondays @ Bay Vista Park - 10am-1pm

Tuesdays @ War Veterans’ Memorial Park - 10am-1pm

Wednesdays @ Bay Vista Park - 10am-1pm 

About the Locations 

Bay Vista Park

Bay Vista Park is a scenic gem in St. Pete, offering shaded, green spaces covered in oak trees, waterfront views, bay and shoreline access for shallow water play, and abundant trees that create opportunities for sensory exploration and nature observation. There is also a playground (and bathrooms) on-site, making it perfect for a mix of nature immersion and playground fun!

War Veterans’ Memorial Park

War Veterans’ Memorial Park spans 112 acres and is home to friendly park rangers, pirate-themed playground adventures, mangrove hideaways, gentle bay waters, and plenty of wildlife—including gopher tortoises, woodpeckers, fiddler crabs, and more.

Daily Rhythm

Guided by forest school principles of child-led, hands-on learning, Ranger Lauren and parent volunteers observe children’s interests and let nature inspire hands-on exploration. Thoughtful invitations—like the mud kitchen, sensory-rich activities, process art, and practical life experiences—draw from Lauren’s Montessori background and forest school training and encourage curiosity, creativity, and growth across all areas of development. While every week, we explore a nature topic, the morning is filled with opportunities for curiosity to be our compass as we explore the natural world.

Social-emotional learning is integrated naturally into the daily rhythm and explored through stories as a group, offering children the opportunity to develop self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and positive relationships with others in a supportive and engaging environment.

Research in forest school settings shows that regular outdoor nature play builds physical health and coordination, encourages curiosity and early scientific thinking, strengthens social-emotional skills, develops emotional resilience and self-regulation, fosters a connection to one’s community, and nurtures creativity and problem-solving.