Snow!

Our most recent forest school experience followed on the heels of a record snowstorm, providing us with a majestic white terrain to explore at our regular Cliveden site. Before we headed out though, we chopped some vegetables that folks had brought in for a "Stone Soup" to enjoy upon our return from the outdoors. On our walk over to Cliveden, the excitement among the children was clearly building. Snow piles along the sidewalk proved irresistible to the touch. Eventually though, we made it to the edge of Cliveden where the white expanse of snow opened up before us, completely untouched. We trudged onward through the snow, forging our own path across the open ground to our home base site. Our tarp provided a nice dry place to sit and collect ourselves, but the children were quick to get to work. Within minutes they laid the foundation of a snow fort and divided up tasks of gathering, transporting, and packing snow on top. Later on the kids took a try at rolling a snowball to a colossal size, providing the beginnings of a snowcat. Other highlights included an "ice cream shop," a slide add-on to the snow fort, and a few impromptu snow angels and snowball fights.

The kids prepare the vegetables for the "Stone Soup."

Home base is set in the usual spot.

Work begins on the snow fort.

The kids sculpt their snowcat creation.

Dontrelle and Dorian begin work on a snowmouse.

The kids discover the sliding potential of a wall of the snow fort.

Getting into position at the top of the slide

The kids take turns sliding down.

The kids climb on the familiar stump mound adorned with snow.