Wildcraft Outdoor Homeschool Program

A weekly nature-based learning community for homeschool students in 1st through 4th grade near Little Rock, Arkansas.

Wildcraft is a weekly outdoor homeschool program where children learn through exploration, hands-on experiences, creative projects, and time in nature.

Located at Ferncliff in Little Rock, Arkansas, Wildcraft gives homeschool students a consistent community in which to build friendships, develop practical outdoor skills, and deepen their connection with the natural world.

Each Thursday balances intentional learning with free play and exploration. Students might practice fire making, build a shelter, work with rope and wood, study local plants and animals, or create something useful from natural materials.

Ferncliff has been a national leader in outdoor education for more than a decade. Wildcraft teachers are specially trained in outdoor safety and guide children through age-appropriate experiences designed to build confidence, curiosity, resilience, and care for the natural world.

Registration

Registration for the upcoming school year is open.

Our 1st and 2nd grade class is currently full. Openings are still available in our 3rd and 4th grade class.

Wildcraft classes are intentionally small, allowing teachers to provide individualized attention while creating a close and welcoming learning community.

Register Now

Program detail	Information
Location	Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, Little Rock, Arkansas
Grades	Separate classes for 1st–2nd and 3rd–4th grade
Schedule	Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Program year	September–May
Enrollment	Full school-year commitment
Tuition	$2,115 per school year or $235 per month
Additional fee	$200 supply and registration fee
Current availability	1st–2nd full; openings in 3rd–4th

Why Families Choose Wildcraft

• Learning that happens through experience
  Children learn by doing. Wildcraft turns the forests, fields, plants, animals, and natural materials at Ferncliff into opportunities for discovery.
• A consistent homeschool community
  Students return each week to the same small class, giving them time to form friendships, learn to work together, and feel that they belong.
• A balance of instruction and exploration
  Each Wildcraft day includes guided learning as well as time for free play, imagination, movement, and child-led discovery.
• Practical skills that build confidence
  Outdoor challenges give children opportunities to practice patience, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, and responsible risk-taking.
• Experienced outdoor educators
  Ferncliff has been a national leader in outdoor education for more than a decade. Wildcraft teachers are specially trained in outdoor safety and guide students through age-appropriate experiences with care.

Get on our mailing LIst

---

Experienced Outdoor Educators

• Ferncliff has been a national leader in outdoor education for more than a decade.
• Our staff includes certified WILD Passport trainers who completed their training in the United Kingdom and are qualified to train other outdoor educators. Wildcraft teachers learn directly from these trainers, creating a knowledgeable and consistent teaching team.
• This expertise allows children to take on meaningful outdoor challenges through lessons that are carefully sequenced, age-appropriate, and grounded in established safety practices.

A Trusted, Progressive Outdoor Learning Curriculum

Wildcraft uses the WILD Passport, an internationally used outdoor learning curriculum designed to help children build practical skills safely and progressively over time.

The five-year curriculum includes 125 learning objectives organized across five stages of progression and five outdoor skill areas. Instead of presenting activities as isolated experiences, WILD Passport helps teachers build each lesson on skills students have already practiced. Children develop their abilities gradually as their confidence, judgment, and experience grow.

Ferncliff has certified WILD Passport trainers on staff who received their training in the United Kingdom. These trainers are qualified not only to teach the curriculum to children, but also to train other educators in the WILD Passport approach. Additional Wildcraft teachers receive their specialized training directly from these certified trainers.

This creates a consistent, carefully supported approach across the Wildcraft teaching team. Whether students are working with fire, tools, rope, natural materials, or shelter-building techniques, lessons follow a thoughtful progression appropriate to their skills and readiness.

For parents, that means Wildcraft offers more than a collection of outdoor activities. It is a trusted learning program led by trained educators, with a clear approach to skill development, safety, and growth.

What Students Learn

Wildcraft students develop skills across five areas of outdoor learning:

• Woodcraft: Learning how to use age-appropriate tools and natural materials with care
• Shelter building: Planning, problem-solving, knot work, teamwork, and understanding how shelters provide protection
• Fire making: Learning fire preparation, materials, safety, and responsible fire-building skills
• Flora and fauna: Observing, identifying, and understanding the plants and animals found in the local environment
• Rope skills: Building coordination and confidence through knots, practical applications, and collaborative projects

Lessons become more advanced as students demonstrate readiness. This progressive approach allows children to revisit skills, practice them in new ways, and recognize their own growth over time.

A Typical Wildcraft Day

Wildcraft days balance intentional skill-building with meals, rest, play, and time in community. Activities vary with the season, weather, curriculum, and interests of the class, but a typical Thursday follows this rhythm:

Time	Activity
9:00–9:30 a.m.	Arrival and Morning Gathering
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Skills and Exploration
10:30 a.m.	Snack
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.	Skills and Exploration
12:00 p.m.	Lunch
12:45–2:00 p.m.	Restful Group Time and Afternoon Game
2:00 p.m.	Pick-Up

---

Stay in the Loop

Interested in future Wildcraft opportunities?

We’re continuing to grow this program. If you’d like to receive updates about future sessions or expansions, sign up below to stay connected.

Complete the Wildcraft Interest Form

---

Need more info? Contact:

Rachel Parker
Nature Preschool Director

rachel@ferncliff.org
(501) 821-3063

FAQ

What is Wildcraft?

Wildcraft is a one-day-a-week nature connection and outdoor skill-building program for homeschooled students in 1st through 4th grade. Children spend Thursdays learning practical outdoor skills, exploring nature, playing, and building relationships with other homeschool students.

Is Wildcraft a complete homeschool curriculum?

No. Wildcraft is a homeschool enrichment program focused on nature connection and five outdoor skill areas: fire, tool use, rope, flora and fauna, and shelter building. It is designed to complement the curriculum families use at home.

What grades can participate?

Wildcraft serves homeschooled students in 1st through 4th grade. Students are divided into separate 1st–2nd grade and 3rd–4th grade classes.

Each class is designed for the grade a child is entering at the beginning of the program year.

Does my child need previous outdoor experience?

No previous outdoor experience is needed. Children simply need an interest in spending time outside and a willingness to explore and try new things.

The progressive WILD Passport curriculum allows students to begin with foundational skills and advance as they become more confident and capable.

What does a typical Wildcraft day look like?

A typical Wildcraft day begins and ends outdoors. Whole-group gatherings give students time to connect with their community and prepare for the day.

Throughout the day, children have opportunities for self-directed play and exploration as well as teacher-led instruction focused on outdoor and naturalist skills. The schedule also includes snack, lunch, restful group time, and an afternoon game.

What kinds of skills will students learn?

Students develop beginner and advanced-beginner skills using the WILD Passport curriculum.

Depending on their experience and readiness, students may learn how to safely light and extinguish a fire, tie simple knots used in outdoor activities, identify local trees and animals, use age-appropriate tools, and build simple shelters for protection or play.

Lessons build progressively so students can practice foundational skills before moving on to more advanced applications.

How is outdoor safety handled?

Every Wildcraft activity is evaluated for risk before it is introduced to students. Classes are limited to 14 children with a lead guide and an assistant guide, allowing teachers to provide close supervision during activities involving tools, fire, rope, and other potential risks.

Wildcraft also uses a progressive curriculum. Children practice foundational skills and demonstrate confidence and capability before moving on to a new or more challenging skill.

Ferncliff has certified WILD Passport trainers on staff who completed their training in the United Kingdom. Other Wildcraft teachers receive specialized training from these certified trainers, helping ensure a consistent approach to instruction and safety.

Are students outdoors in rain or cold weather?

Yes. Wildcraft students spend time outdoors in a range of weather conditions.

We believe every season offers valuable opportunities for learning and that children build confidence by adapting to manageable challenges. Families receive a detailed gear list to help children stay comfortable and prepared for Arkansas weather.

Wildcraft follows established safety procedures and adjusts plans when weather conditions are unsafe.

What should my child wear and bring?

Children should arrive dressed for the weather and prepared to spend much of the day outside.

Families receive a detailed gear list explaining what children should wear and carry in their daily backpacks. Appropriate clothing and gear help students stay comfortable and enjoy Wildcraft in different seasons and weather conditions.

Does Wildcraft provide lunch or snacks?

No. Children should bring their own snack, lunch, and drink each Thursday.

Can families enroll for only part of the school year?

No. Wildcraft is a full school-year program that runs from September through May. Registration reserves a child’s place for the full program year.

How large are the classes?

Each Wildcraft class is limited to 14 students and is led by a lead guide and an assistant guide.

Small classes help teachers provide close guidance while creating a welcoming community where children can form meaningful relationships.

Is Wildcraft a religious program?

No. Wildcraft is not a religious education program. It is open to students and families of all faith backgrounds, as well as families with no religious affiliation.

The program focuses on nature connection, outdoor skills, exploration, confidence, and community.

How much does Wildcraft cost?

Wildcraft tuition is $235 per month from September through May, for a total yearly tuition of $2,115.

A separate $200 registration and supply fee is due when enrolling.

What happens if my child is absent?

Tuition is not refunded or prorated when a child is absent. Enrollment reserves a student’s place in the program for the full school year.

Please notify the Wildcraft team when your child will be absent.

How do I register?

Registration is completed online through Ferncliff’s parent portal.

Register for Wildcraft

The 1st–2nd grade class is currently full. Openings are still available in the 3rd–4th grade class.

Who should I contact with questions?

Contact Rachel Parker, Ferncliff’s Nature Preschool Director:

Email: rachel@ferncliff.org
Phone: (501) 821-3063