SOL Forest School
We are almost 9 years around the sun!
Soulful ~ Outdoor ~ Learning
Current Program Overview
Weekly Sessions:
Mon
9:30am – 2pm*
Tue – Thu
9:30am – 1:30pm
+
Sats
Aug – May
9:30am – 2pm*
(once-monthly)
Summer 2026:
June & July
2026 – 2027
School Year:
August – May
Locations:
East Mountains
(east of Albuquerque)
ABQ Bosque
(Rio Grande corridor)
Age Range:
Tree Tots
(under 3s)
Treeschool &
Explorers*
(3-6)
Tall Pines* & Adventurers*
(6/7-10)
SOLcraft
(8-12)
Time in Nature:
100%
Forest School
Year Round Sessions:
PROGRAM UPDATE AS OF 8/26/26: We will offer a full school year TREESCHOOL program from August to May, with an exception of a slightly longer run time on Mondays (9:30am-2pm), while Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays will run from 9:30am - 1:30pm for children ages 3 to 6 in our early years Treeschool group. Our Tall Pines group (ages 6/7-10) meets on once-weekly on Mondays from 9:30am - 2pm. Additional programming includes Fall & Spring 6 or 10-week block Tree Tots sessions for children under 3 and their parents, as well as a new bilingual Tots session "Criaturas". Additionally we will offer separate weekday and weekend series of SOLcraft programming in the Fall and Spring for children 8-12 to explore and practice bushcraft & nature-based skills. Also new for the upcoming year we will be introducing a "Family Tree School" program over six Sundays for families with children of all ages. We will continue offering once-monthly Saturday sessions from 9:30am - 2pm (Aug - May) and Summer sessions in four, 5-day weeklong camp blocks in June and July in 2027.
EXTENDED TIME UPDATE FOR 2026-2027: We plan to move to a 4.5 hour session for our Monday Treeschool & Tall Pines, and Saturday Explorers & Adventurers for the new year! Run time for these sessions will be from 9:30am-2pm.
Please see our FAQs tab for more information about a typical experience of Forest School.
Learn more about our PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS and the Rhythm of the Forest School Day
Our sites are currently based in the East Mountains (Cedar Crest, Tijeras, and Sandia Park) and in the Albuquerque Bosque, with our East Mountain sites approximately 20-45 minutes by car, depending upon where in the Albuquerque metro area you may be traveling from.
Our sessions are held in beautiful forested areas that are carefully chosen with the criteria of safety, proximity, outdoor classroom use, potential environmental impact & opportunities for nature immersion in mind.
Parents in our weekly programs are asked to participate as Parent Volunteers at least 1 to 2 times per semester. Our third adult for forest school sessions is a Parent Volunteer or a Volunteer from the community with a dedicated interest in early childhood and outdoor education.
We encourage parents to use the session time for self-care through hiking or relaxing in nature, enjoying some quiet time sipping coffee or tea at one of our several eateries & cafes, or working virtually without interruption while your child / children are enjoying themselves under the sun. The East Mountain Library in Tijeras is a wonderful spot for reading or working, too. We encourage parents to carpool to save on time & fuel, if they are comfortable doing so.
Our Programs:
Treeschool
Ages 3 - 6
East Mountains
9:30am – 2:00pm on Mondays*
9:30am – 1:30pm on Tues/Wed/Thur
Treeschool is SOL’s original forest school program for early childhood years (age 3-6). Under the guidance of trained and experienced educators, our "Treeschoolers" experience firsthand the joy and wonder of nature and have ample free time for risky and adventurous play. Treeschool is play-based, welcomes children with or without outdoor experience, and will be offered every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday where children attend 1 or more days per week.
*New for '26-'27: Our Monday sessions will have a 4.5 hour run time, 9:30am - 2:00pm
Tall Pines
Ages 6/7 - 10
East Mountains
9:30am – 2pm on Mondays
Tall Pines is SOL’s forest school program for elementary school ages (6/7-10), giving homeschool learners a community of their peers and ample time to experience the forest school fun that SOL is known for. Tall Pines go for longer hikes in the forest and have opportunities to advance their outdoor skills & tool use. We follow student interests in choosing activities, and learn about local habitats & wildlife throughout the changing seasons.
Tall Pines will be offered on Mondays for 2025-2026. Prospective new-to-SOL Tall Pines learners who are newly 6 years old, and Treeschoolers who have been with SOL for at least one year may graduate to Tall Pines after age 6, and we make these decisions on a case-by-case basis. We take into consideration several factors when advancing a younger student to Tall Pines. For example, Tall Pines students must be able to attend to all their outdoor bathrooming with little or no adult support. They must be able to manage their own buttons and zippers on snow pants and jackets, and put on their own gloves/mittens without adult help. Tall Pines carry a heavier backpack for longer distances, sometimes through mud or snow. Most importantly, Tall Pines must show age-appropriate self-regulation and impulse control during risky and adventurous play, such as tree-climbing, stick play, and child-led games. Tall Pines also receive many additional opportunities for building their wilderness and tool use skills.
Saturday School Year /
Summer Explorers & Adventurers
Ages 3 - 10
East Mountains (Saturdays/Summer)
SOL Saturdays during the school year and Summer SOL are offered for Explorers (ages 3-6) and Adventurers (ages 6/7-10). Saturday sessions are drop off programs offered once per month and run 4.5 hours (9:30am-2:00pm).
Our Summer SOL sessions start a bit earlier in the morning (9:00am-1:00pm) and run for 5 consecutive days during individual Camp Weeks in June and July (enrollment is for the full week, with options to enroll in one or more weeks. See more on each program below.
SATURDAY SOL 2026-2027
Saturday Forest Fun! Our 100% outdoor sessions will pass through all four seasons and will be held in the East Mountains for children aged 3-10 yrs. Sessions will take place once-a-month on Saturdays and will run 4.5 hours (9:30am-2pm). 10 sessions will be offered for the year between August 2026 – May 2027. This is a drop off program.
2026: Aug 22 • Sep 19 • Oct 17 • Nov 14 • Dec 19
2027: Jan 23 • Feb 20 • Mar 13 • Apr 17 • May 15
Program Cost: $697.50 for the year + $20 annual registration fee
(enrollment is ongoing as space allows; program costs are prorated based on start date)
Please note, we do not offer drop-in Saturday classes. Registration is for the whole
series, every month for the full year.
Saturday SOL 2026-2027 Registration is ongoing as space allows
(Registration preference is given to families who are not otherwise attending 2 or more weekdays in our weekly Treeschool program, and who may be only available for Saturday sessions).
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SUMMER SOL 2026
Our 5-day Camp Weeks in June & July for 2026 have now concluded. See you in 2027!
Enrollment was for the full week, Monday – Friday. Option to enroll in multiple weeks. Sites located in the East Mountains. We offered three distinct programs this summer!
Explorers (3-6) & Adventurers (6/7-10): SOL’s signature summer program! Our forest school-style wilding and nature connection condensed into one week.
(Weeks 1, 2, 3, & 4)
4 hour daily sessions 9:00am – 1:00pm
Cost for 5-Day Camp Week: $305 + tax, $20 reg fee
Summer Tree Tots: For Tots under 3 and their parents!
(Weeks 1 & 3)
2 hour daily sessions 9:30-11:30am
Cost for 5-Day Camp Week: $150 for 1st tot
SOLcraft (8-13): Looking for a more focused outdoor experience? Learn & practice a variety of wilderness skills and tools in our newest program.
(Week 2 ONLY)
4 hour daily sessions 9:00am – 1:00pm
Cost for 5-Day Camp Week: $320 + tax, $20 reg fee
View flier: SUMMER SOL 2026
Download the PDF flier: SUMMER SOL 2026
Tree Tots
2026 FALL: For children under age 3 and their families
Our very popular "Tree Tots" program is returning for the Fall 2026 & Spring 2027! This program is for children 0 – up to 3* and is a great introduction to the forest school philosophy, as well as a wonderful way to get to know other parents in the community while nurturing your wee ones through nature play. Tree Tots will take place over 10 weeks in the East Mountains.
Plus: *Criaturas* also returns this fall following a successful pilot program this past spring. We're excited to announce an expanded version this upcoming season with a 10-week series for Tots called "Criaturas", a bilingual session guided by two SOL Mamas Makayla & Jocie. Tree Tots & Criaturas are for children ages 0 – up to 3* years and their parents. Kindly note, these are not drop off programs, parents stay to play! Space is limited.
FALL PROGRAM REGISTRATION is now open!
Early enrollment offered to current families first, followed by our waitlist. Contact us to get on the waitlist for Fall '26 Tree Tots / Criaturas.
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TREE TOTS Fall 2026 • 10-week blocks
Session Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Session Week Days: Wednesdays (Sandia Park area)
Location: East Mountains
Dates: 10 week block beginning week of Sep 2 – week of Dec 2
COST: $345 + tax for first enrolled tot
(no extra fee for second additional sibling under 3)
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Criaturas (Tots) Fall 2026 • 6-week block (bilingual)
Session Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Session Week Day: Wednesdays
Location: East Mountains, Sandia Park area
Dates: 6 week block beginning Oct 7 – week of Nov 18
COST: $207 + tax for first enrolled tot
(no extra fee for second additional sibling under 3)
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*please consider enrolling your over-3s in our weekly Treeschool or monthly Explorer programs
SOLcraft
Bushcraft & Nature-Based Skills Sessions for kids age 8-12
To compliment our signature forest school offerings, we’ve designed a new SOL program inspired by the WILDPassport (UK) – a curriculum in progressive wilderness skills learning. Participants will learn technical skills with practical application outdoors, alongside fostering a positive nature connection in a small group setting. Sessions will be under the guidance of a certified WILDPassport practitioner & SOL Forest School Guide.
SOLCraft will be geared toward ages 8 - 12 and will combine both “hard” and “soft” skills development within multiple sessions. These will include (but not be limited to) five focus areas: Woodcraft, Shelter Building, Fire Making, Flora/Fauna and Rope.
As we enter our second year of this programming, we'll have enrollment options for returning learners (SOLcraft II) and for beginners (SOLcraft I) with little or no prior experience. Two separate program tracks are planned for Fall 2026, a weekday series from 9:30am-1:30pm for 8 weeks, and weekend series once in October and November.
SOLCraft I (on Thursdays) – Fall 2026
• 2 Thursdays a month, Sept - Dec (8 session days)
• early registration window will be available first to currently enrolled SOL families, followed by our waitlist, then open to new students.
Registration fee: $20
Program Fee: $560 + tax for 8-session block (Thursdays only)
Location: East Mountains, Tijeras area
Time: 9:30-1:30pm
Dates: Sep 17, 24 • Oct 15, 22 • Nov 12, 19 • Dec 10, 17
SOLCraft II (on Weekends) – October & November 2026
• 4 session days for the fall semester occurring over two weekends (October & November)
• early registration window will be available first to returning SOLcraft learners, then currently enrolled SOL families, followed by our waitlist, then open to new students.
October 3 & 4 • November 14 & 15
Registration fee: $20
Program Fee: $315 + tax for all sessions (2-weekend set)
*option to enroll in one weekend only ($160)
Location: East Mountains, Tijeras/Sandia Park area
Time: 9:30-2:00pm (4.5 hours)
Saturday + Sunday
Thank you to all the families who piloted this program with us in 2025-2026 and over this summer, and who took the time to offer us feedback on your interests and experiences. We're stoked for a new year ahead!
Registration is now open for currently enrolled SOL families for Fall '26!
Family Tree School
2026-2027 Fall/Spring: Families with children of all ages welcome!
This Fall, please join SOL in tending the sprouts for a new program for families through SOLwoods called "Family Tree School." This program is for SOL families interested in deepening their nature connection together and building community, while also giving back to Mama Earth through tree learning, planting, & land stewarding. We will weave together family Forest Bathing (Shinin Yoku) while meeting native trees, taking time for forest school-style nature play, as well as engage in tree planting &/or tree tending activities.
Prior SOL experience is recommended, though not required. We'll meet on Sundays in the East Mountains this Fall and Spring in locations primarily in the East Mountains (with 1 or 2 possibly in ABQ).
Space is limited to 10 families.
Guided by Miss Sally & Land Steward Allison
Each session meets on SUNDAYS, from 10am - 12:30pm
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Fall 2026: Sep 20 • Oct 18 • Nov 15
Spring 2027: Mar 14 • Apr 18 • May 16
You are invited to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy with the group at the end of each session.
COST: $45/session per family
(or $125 for 3 Fall or 3 Spring sessions, or $235 for all 6 sessions)
+ $25 registration & supply fee
To Register: Please contact us directly with your interest to receive a registration form once available & for other inquiries at: solforestschool@gmail.com
SOL is able to gift two families who otherwise are not able to afford the tuition a full FTS scholarship. Interested families should send an email of interest to Sally & Allison at solwoods.nm@gmail.com
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A note about our school calendar: SOL’s '26-27 school year is Aug 24 – May 20 (Aug 22 start for Saturday SOL). If you have school-age children, please be aware that their school calendar may differ from SOL's calendar. No classes will be held on the following days/dates:
There will be NO SOL sessions on the following dates from Aug 2026 - May 2027:
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Labor Day (Mon Sep 7)
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Indigenous People's Day (Mon Oct 12)
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Veterans Day (Wed Nov 11
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Thanksgiving Break (Nov 23 - 27)
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Winter Break (Dec 21 - Jan 15)
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MLK, Jr Day (Mon Feb 15)
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Presidents Day (Mon Feb 15)
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APS Spring Break (Mar 22 - 26)
Upcoming Programs for 2026-2027
SOL School Year 2026-2027