Finley Thorton bounds his way down a trail with his classmates last week at the Kickapoo Valley Forest School, located in the nearly 9,000-acre Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge. The school is in its first year and offers an immersive outdoor education curriculum in which the school's 30 students are rarely inside.
A pine tree topped by a windstorm serves as a play structure for the young students at the Kickapoo Valley Forest School. Nature is central to the lessons at the school, which is also helping the La Farge School District increase its enrollment. About 75% of those enrolled in the charter school come from outside the district.
Educator Julia Buckingham, in the orange hat, looks over the 4K and kindergarten students during free play prior to the start of the school day at Kickapoo Valley Forest School.
Kickapoo Valley Forest School student Schaffer Kemp, 6, is assisted by his father, Louis, as he dons his winter wear while being dropped off at the school just north of La Farge.
A hot breakfast helps fuel students for a day outdoors at Kickapoo Valley Forest School. The offerings on this day included scrambled eggs and graham crackers with apple butter.
Students and teachers at Kickapoo Valley Forest School form a circle and sing songs prior to breaking up into two groups and heading out for a more than two-hour hike. The Oaks are led by Ximena Puig, left, and the Lindens by Julia Buckingham, in the orange hat.
Maiela Leinberger, 18, a Serve Wisconsin, Department of Public Instruction Farm to School Specialist and who is part of AmeriCorps, shares a moment with Kickapoo Valley Forest School students Maple Hartwig and Jetty Oium during a break on a hike in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
Kickapoo Valley Forest School students and AmeriCorps Serve Wisconsin, Department of Public Instruction Farm to School Specialist Maiela Leinberger emerge from a covered bridge over the Kickapoo River during a hike.
There was no fire in the fire pit, so it made for an ideal spot for Kickapoo Valley Forest School students to gather for an outdoor breakfast prior to the start of their school day.
Finley Thorton bounds his way down a trail with his classmates last week at the Kickapoo Valley Forest School, located in the nearly 9,000-acre Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge. The school is in its first year and offers an immersive outdoor education curriculum in which the school's 30 students are rarely inside.
A hot breakfast helps fuel students for a day outdoors at Kickapoo Valley Forest School. The offerings on this day included scrambled eggs and graham crackers with apple butter.
Students and teachers at Kickapoo Valley Forest School form a circle and sing songs prior to breaking up into two groups and heading out for a more than two-hour hike. The Oaks are led by Ximena Puig, left, and the Lindens by Julia Buckingham, in the orange hat.
Kickapoo Valley Forest School student Schaffer Kemp, 6, is assisted by his father, Louis, as he dons his winter wear while being dropped off at the school just north of La Farge.
Maiela Leinberger, 18, a Serve Wisconsin, Department of Public Instruction Farm to School Specialist and who is part of AmeriCorps, shares a moment with Kickapoo Valley Forest School students Maple Hartwig and Jetty Oium during a break on a hike in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
A pine tree topped by a windstorm serves as a play structure for the young students at the Kickapoo Valley Forest School. Nature is central to the lessons at the school, which is also helping the La Farge School District increase its enrollment. About 75% of those enrolled in the charter school come from outside the district.
Kickapoo Valley Forest School students and AmeriCorps Serve Wisconsin, Department of Public Instruction Farm to School Specialist Maiela Leinberger emerge from a covered bridge over the Kickapoo River during a hike.
Educator Julia Buckingham, in the orange hat, looks over the 4K and kindergarten students during free play prior to the start of the school day at Kickapoo Valley Forest School.
There was no fire in the fire pit, so it made for an ideal spot for Kickapoo Valley Forest School students to gather for an outdoor breakfast prior to the start of their school day.
