About
Forest Bloom is a Reggio Emilia-inspired outdoor program for children ages 2.5 to 6 for daily school and up to 8 years for our camps. We believe children are inherently capable, resilient, and curious "heroes" of their own education. Rather than a traditional classroom, we curate a living environment in the wild where children build their own understanding of the world—one discovery at a time.
Our Story: The Roots of Forest Bloom
Forest Bloom grew from a shared vision between our founder, Marnie, and our Director, Susie White-Astier. After years of co-teaching at the Helen Diller Family Preschool, they saw that the Reggio Emilia philosophy—which views the environment as an active teacher—flourished most beautifully in the outdoors.
In 2020, they traded four walls for the redwood groves of San Francisco. Today, Susie continues this mission, offering a space where the "democracy of the forest" allows every child's potential to bloom.
The Forest Bloom Methodology
A Global Pedagogy
Our approach is a thoughtful blend of two world-class traditions: the pioneering forest schools of Denmark and Sweden and the Reggio Emilia approach of Italy. Together, these philosophies allow us to treat the urban forest as a laboratory for complex thinking and social collaboration.
The Multi-Age "Village" In our forest, children ages 2.5 through 8 walk the trails together. This creates a natural rhythm of Peer Mentorship:
Leadership: Older children build empathy and confidence by modeling skills.
Inspiration: Younger children are exposed to more sophisticated language and play.
Freedom: Without age-specific milestones, every child is free to develop at their own individual pace.
Deep Inquiry & Persistence We move beyond "one-and-done" activities. We follow a beetle’s trail until it leads to a story; we observe the cypress trees through the change of seasons. These multi-layered experiences allow children to revisit their ideas over days or weeks, building a master-level understanding of their environment.
A Democracy of Voices Every child has a seat at the table—or the log. We ensure every voice contributes to our daily plan. By participating in choices, children learn they are not just observers of their community, but the active creators of its journey.
Our intentionally small group size ensures that in our daily program, every child is the creator of their own journey.
The Adventure: Two Ways to Join Us
1. Seasonal Camps & Drop-In Days Our camps are the perfect introduction to the Forest Bloom way, turning school breaks into a masterclass in curiosity.
Summer Immersions: Full-week adventures beginning in June.
Holiday & Vacation Camps: Themed sessions throughout the year.
Drop-In Days: Flexible "mini-adventures" for a taste of forest life.
Note: For Drop-In Day availability, please contact Susie directly at the info below.
2. The Daily Forest Program Our Academic Forest Program is where the Reggio Emilia approach truly shines. Children don’t just visit the park; they become its residents. Through long-term projects and deep collaboration, they build a sophisticated understanding of themselves and the natural world.
Meet the Director
Susie White-Astier (Pictured with co-founder, Marnie) With a background in traditional Reggio environments and years of experience leading forest programs, Susie is dedicated to making every moment in the park a foundational memory for your child.
Contact Us 📞 415.735.5135
✉️ forestbloomoutdoorschool@gmail.com
Hello!Meet the Director: Susie White-AstieR
With a background in traditional Reggio environments and years of experience leading forest programs, Susie is dedicated to making every moment in the park—whether in camp or daily school—a foundational memory for your child.
(Pictured with co-founder, Marnie)