Trailblazers

Weekly 3-hour Drop-Off Classes for kids ages 11-14

Enriching the homeschool experience through outdoor skills, leadership, and science literacy

Register for '26-'27 School Year

Trailblazers is EverWild’s advanced outdoor leadership program for preteens and teens who are ready for greater challenge, responsibility, and adventure!

In this immersive, skill-rich program, students move beyond the basics and begin applying their knowledge in increasingly real and meaningful ways. Trailblazers refine their navigation, fire management, shelter systems, tool use, and outdoor cooking while also developing the communication and decision-making skills of effective outdoor leaders.

Throughout the year, students take on meaningful team roles, mentor younger learners, and participate in progressively more complex wilderness challenges — all leading toward our culminating capstone experience.

Program Summary

Register for the '26-'27 School Year

Program Details

  • Unlike many outdoor programs that operate in short seasonal sessions, EverWild classes stay together with the same teachers throughout the school year. This continuity allows children to develop deep friendships, build trusting relationships with their teachers, and become part of a strong classroom community.

    Throughout the year, students also participate in enriching experiences that extend beyond weekly classes, including field trips, guest speakers, collaborative projects, community engagement, and a culminating capstone that celebrates their learning.

    EverWild is designed as a year-long educational experience that children can grow with over time. While families are welcome to join us for a single school year, those who return won't repeat the same program again and again. Our multi-year curriculum intentionally builds from year to year, introducing new themes, skills, challenges, and learning opportunities as children grow.

  • After drop-off, students journey with their teachers into a designated natural area nestled in the forest or along the Boise River. Class begin with a brief group welcome and introduction to the day’s theme.

    From there, students dive into self-guided exploration and play, where they have the rare and essential opportunity to make discoveries, create, climb trees, dig in the dirt, build imaginative worlds, and connect deeply with each other and the land.

    After about 90 minutes of free exploration, the group regathers for tea, snacks, and a guided lesson. Our place-based, seasonally informed curriculum uses the natural world as a living classroom to teach environmental literacy, outdoor living skills, and collaborative work.

  • Children thrive when they are given opportunities to take appropriate risks in a supportive environment. Our educators are trained to help children develop sound judgment, confidence, and outdoor skills while maintaining a strong culture of safety.

    Staff are certified in first aid and CPR, maintain low student-to-teacher ratios, conduct regular safety checks, and follow comprehensive emergency procedures for weather, wildlife, injuries, and other unexpected situations.

    Since 2019, we've taught in the same outdoor classroom locations, giving our educators an intimate knowledge of each site. This includes carefully selected areas for water play, where children can safely explore under close supervision.

  • Classes offered September 8, 2025 - May 22, 2026.

    Tuesdays along the Eagle Greenbelt, 1 PM - 4 PM

    Thursdays at Veterans Memorial Park, 1 PM - 4 PM

  • Families are welcome to join EverWild for a single school year or continue with us as their children grow.

    Unlike programs that repeat similar activities each season, our curriculum is intentionally designed to build from year to year. Children encounter new themes, skills, challenges, field trips, projects, and leadership opportunities at each stage, allowing them to deepen their knowledge and continue progressing over time rather than starting over each year.

  • Children should arrive dressed for the weather and ready to spend the entire class outdoors.

    Families should send a backpack with a full water bottle, a snack, and any seasonally appropriate clothing such as rain gear, warm layers, sun protection, or extra socks.

    A detailed packing list is provided before the start of the program.

  • Classes are equipped with a portable toilet and privacy shelter, and teachers provide age-appropriate assistance when needed while encouraging independence, dignity, and good hygiene. See our toilet setup here.

    Children should be able to communicate when they need to use the restroom and manage most toileting tasks independently.

    Parents will be contacted if a child has a toileting accident that requires a change of clothes.

  • Learning extends beyond our regular classroom locations through occasional field trips and visits from local experts. Children may explore natural areas, meet community partners, or learn directly from professionals such as naturalists, scientists, artists, or outdoor educators.

    These experiences enrich our curriculum and help children connect their learning to the wider community.

  • We believe strong partnerships with families are essential to a child's success. Throughout the year, parents receive regular updates through Brightwheel, including reminders, announcements, photos, and important program information.

    Teachers are always happy to answer questions, and we encourage open communication so we can best support each child's growth and experience at EverWild.

  • If your child enjoys being outdoors, is curious about the natural world, and thrives with hands-on, exploratory learning, they’ll likely love this program!

    Our classes are best suited for children who can follow group expectations, handle a variety of weather conditions, and are excited to learn through both structured lessons and unstructured play.

    Please note that the fully outdoor setting of our classes and lack of on-site specialists may not meet every child’s needs. Should you have questions about specific accommodations, please do not hesitate to reach out!

  • Step 1: Register Online

    Click 'Registration' to begin the enrollment process.

    A deposit equal to one month's tuition is required to reserve your child's spot. This deposit is applied to your child's final month of enrollment, provided the required withdrawal notice is given.

    Once we receive your registration, we'll send you the remaining enrollment forms and next steps.

    Step 2: Pay Your First Month's Tuition

    September tuition is invoiced through Brightwheel and is due by August 18. Families starting mid-month will receive a prorated invoice, which is due before their child's first day.

    After your first month, tuition is automatically billed through Brightwheel on the 1st of each month.

  • 1-day per week = $190 monthly

    2-days per week = $345 monthly

    3-days per week = $460 monthly

    4-days per week = $635 monthly

  • Withdrawal
    You may withdraw at any time. To apply your pre-paid deposit to your child’s final month, written notice must be submitted before the first day of that month.

    Refunds
    The registration deposit may be refunded, less $25 administration fee, if written notice of withdrawal is provided by August 1st.

    All other tuition payments are nonrefundable, regardless of attendance, withdrawal, or unforeseen circumstances.

Family Guidebook
Register for '26-'27 School Year

Snapshots from the Forest

  • A group of children and an adult girl playing outdoors in a wooded area with a teepee structure made of branches in the background. The girl is helping a boy stand on a log, while other children observe.

    A teacher takes advantage of logs to help a student build confidence with balancing challenges

  • A woman reading a book to a group of children sitting on a blue tarp in a forested area during fall.

    Introducing Earth Systems concepts to an Early Learners class (ages 4-6)

  • Two children outdoors on a fall day, one kid is looking into a camera while the other stands nearby with hands on hips, surrounded by fallen leaves and trees.

    Students in a Homeschool Enrichment class use a pocket microscope to study fungi on a flat plate

  • Children playing and splashing in a creek in a wooded area during spring.

    Water play helps integrate the sensory system, improves resilience, encourages nature connection, and boosts creativity

  • A woman teaching a group of children about the human body outdoors during daytime, using a cardboard diagram of a human torso with labeled sections for anatomy, seated on a blue tarp surrounded by backpacks and water bottles in a wooded area.

    Teaching about insect parts before going on a bug hunt!

  • Child holding a plastic container with a spider inside, outdoors with blurred background.

    Catching arachnids & insects to study

  • Children and adults outdoors in a wooded area, some holding bowls, possibly at a picnic or outdoor event.

    Attuned educators guide students toward their own discoveries

  • A woman demonstrating how to mend a torn umbrella to two children, outdoors in a snowy setting.

    Our outdoor classrooms provide opportunities to study nature up close - like these snowflakes on an umbrella

  • A young woman sitting on a wooden log outdoors, holding an educational poster about frog life cycle, smiling, wearing glasses, a green beanie, blue jacket, gray gloves, surrounded by backpacks and trees in the background.

    An early spring lesson about frog lifecycles - soon enough the students will be able to watch tadpoles grow in real time!

  • Children playing outdoors in a wooded area during autumn, climbing and exploring fallen leaves and branches.

    Students are allowed to play with sticks and other loose parts (under guidance) to grow their ingenuity and skills in cooperative play

  • Adult woman using binoculars to look at a young boy's eye in a forested area

    A student from an Early Learning class (ages 4-6) is introduced to binoculars during a birding lesson

  • Two children climbing and sitting on large tree branches in a lush green forest.

    Climbing trees builds confidence, independence, self-awareness, and risk-mitigation skills

  • Two young boys in a wooded outdoor setting, looking at each other as they hold sticks, surrounded by bare tree branches.

    Students in a Homeschool Enrichment class (ages 7-10) work together to build a stick fort

  • A person holding a yellow flower with a green caterpillar on it, surrounded by other people in the background.

    Students have the chance to directly engage with nature, increasing empathy and sense of place in the world

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What Parents Are Saying

“Children have a chance to immerse themselves in lessons pertaining to our natural resources. They can be creative, ask questions, and move freely throughout class -- all while outdoors. Sunshine provides our child with so many benefits -- and frequently comes home in a better mood. ”

“It's a wonderful experience for a child! Kids have the opportunity to detach from screens and wander in streams. We are so fortunate to live in a place where EverWild is an option.”

“Forest school is a great way of getting kids outside in all sorts of weather, and allowing them to explore the local environment. They learn about local fauna and flora from direct observations. The small group size allow the kids to make strong connections with their peers and teachers.”