News from the Wild: Survival Skills, River Fauna & New Merch!
These Next Two Weeks
Nothing is more exciting for students than getting deep into learning about forest skills! This week we will be focusing on forest skills, with students utilizing survival and traditional tools, creating basic shelters using a variety of building techniques, learning about the benefits of foraging, and practicing how to build a fire.
Next week is place based learning at its finest! Students will be looking at Semi-Aquatic Mammals that reside right here in the Treasure Valley. They will learn about animals that need both land and water to survive, work in teams to build rafts, and examine the crucial connections and complications between animals existing in the same area.
Parent Tip
October is here, and the crisp air is moving through the Treasure Valley. Last week’s thunderstorm ushered in the feeling of autumn, but for some of our students, it may have also ushered in some difficult emotions. Unpredictable weather, particularly loud, windy weather, can be especially unpleasant for some children. I encourage you to honor those feelings and identify what the root cause is. Most children (and adults, for that matter) feel unsettled when sudden events change the day’s plans, while others might have some anxiety about the discomfort a storm creates. You might consider encouraging your child to walk you through what happened through whatever means they enjoy- telling a story, creating art, or maybe visiting their class habitat and going through it step by step. I like to talk about how the storm benefited the local habitat, and the animals and plants that live there, to help shed a positive light on the event. With our classes studying Boise’s indigenous peoples last week, you might also discuss how people prepared for and weathered storms thousands of years ago!
As the weather cools off over the next few weeks, please take a moment to make sure all of your child’s outerwear is labeled. It is extremely helpful to write your child’s name on the tags, even the smallest of tags can be found inside of gloves and most hats! And if you’re in need of outerwear, don’t forget that EverWild has a Gear Lending Library. Sizes and styles are limited, so reach out to Ilyse to see if we have what your child needs. Our lending library is generously provided for through donations of gently used clothing from EverWild families, like yours!
Clear Your Closet & Wear Your Support: Scholarship Fundraisers
Savers FUNDrive:
This year, we are launching our first ever FUNDrive with Savers to help support EverWild’s scholarship fund⎼and now you can help while cleaning out your closets! We will begin collecting donations later this fall, so bag and box your unused and unwanted items and let us know we can count on you by filling out the FUNDrive tracker.
EverWild T-Shirts: Designed by Teacher Kari!
Show your support for EverWild and your love for the natural wonders of the Treasure Valley. Kari has designed not only a shirt, but a scavenger hunt! Shirts, along with some new merch, are available for direct order using the button below.
Upcoming Events:
Halloween in the Enchanted Forest
Bats of Idaho
Join this family-friendly event, hosted by Wild Birds Unlimited and Idaho Parks and Rec!
2025-2026 School Year
Available classes in Eagle:
Available classes at Veterans Memorial Park:
Available classes in Garden City:
We hope you have a wonderful week! Be sure to follow along our adventures on Instagram and Facebook!
EverWild Forest School is an initiative under the umbrella of the National Outdoor Learning Alliance (NOLA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. NOLA operates with a broader mission to amplify outdoor learning opportunities. This overarching organization provides crucial resources, funding, and support to various programs and initiatives, such as EverWild Forest School, that aim to increase access to outdoor learning for youth across the nation.
