There’s something special happening in Catawba County — children are learning outdoors again. Earthsong Explorers, the county’s first and only forest school, opened in June 2025 at the historic Hart Square Village, inviting children to learn, play, and grow in the woods, gardens, and streams of North Carolina’s foothills. As more families seek slower-paced, nature-centered childhood experiences, Earthsong offers a refreshing alternative to traditional classroom learning: one where curiosity leads the day, mud is expected, and the natural world is the primary teacher.
Forest schools, sometimes called nature-based or outdoor learning programs, are rooted in the belief that children learn best through hands-on exploration and meaningful connection with the environment. At Earthsong, mornings are spent building shelters from branches, identifying tracks in the creek banks, whittling sticks, climbing fallen logs, foraging wild edibles, creating nature art, tending gardens, and observing seasonal changes firsthand. Rather than rushing from one activity to another, children are given time to settle into deep play and imaginative discovery.
Earthsong was co-founded by two local moms who dreamed of creating a place where childhood could feel simple, grounded, and joyful. As one of the founders shared, “We wanted a place where children could learn with nature, not just about it. A place that honors kids’ instincts to explore, move, get messy, and wonder. Every day outside strengthens their confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging.”
Research supports what Earthsong families observe firsthand: outdoor learning improves emotional regulation, creativity, social skills, and physical well-being. Time in nature reduces stress and supports healthy sensory development, while unstructured play fosters problem-solving and independence. For many families, forest school becomes not just a daily or weekly activity, but a lifestyle of slowing down and noticing the world around them.
One of the things that makes Earthsong unique is its setting. Located at Hart Square Village — home to the largest collection of historic log cabins in the United States — children explore wooded trails, ponds, meadows, and heritage gardens. The history of place is woven naturally into learning, grounding children in a deeper sense of local story and land connection.
Earthsong offers both fulltime private schooling and homeschool enrichment, as well as seasonal family events. Programs serve children ages 0–12, with mixed-age groups that allow younger children to learn from older peers and older children to develop leadership and empathy. Families come from across the region to be a part of this growing community of nature-loving learners.
If you’ve been curious about alternative education, outdoor play, or simply want more nature in your family’s routine, Earthsong may be a wonderful fit. The school welcomes families who are homeschooling as well as families looking for an alternative to public school. The founders emphasize that no prior outdoor experience is needed — just a willingness to dress for the weather and embrace a little dirt.
Earthsong is still open for enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year, with limited spots available.
To learn more or join the interest list:
Location:
Hart Square Village, Vale, NC
Ages: 0–12
As Alfred Wainwright insightfully noted: “There is no such thing as bad weather — only unsuitable clothing.” And now (with proper clothing and gear), Catawba County families have a place to be outdoors year-round.
