Base Camp Learning Collaborative

Wait, Why French and not Spanish?

One of the common questions homeschool parents ask is how to include foreign language instruction. French is an excellent choice because it is a much stronger global language, spoken across multiple continents, including Europe, Africa, North America, and parts of Asia. It is an official language in 29 countries and widely used in international business, diplomacy, and global organizations like the United Nations and the European Union.

While Spanish is also a valuable language, learning French first provides a strong foundation for picking up Spanish later, as the two languages share similar vocabulary, grammar structures, and Latin roots. Mastering French will make learning Spanish significantly easier if you choose to pursue it in the future.

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Ummm…How is a Scouting camp qualified to educate my child?

This is an important question! First, we see parents and guardians as their child’s primary educators and deeply honor that role. Our program is designed to supplement and support homeschooling, not replace it. Second, Scouting itself is built on hands-on teaching and experiential learning. Third, we have highly qualified staff dedicated to the Learning Collaborative:

• Our Program Director holds a degree in Neuroscience, a Master’s in Expressive Arts & Dance Movement Therapy, and is a Licensed Psychotherapist with extensive experience in resiliency-building, attachment work, and social-emotional development in children. She is an endorsed practitioner of Rainbowdance®  and has personal experience homeschooling and developing curriculum. She brings leadership experience as a Clinical Director, Clinical Supervisor, and owner of a psychotherapy practice since 2017. Additionally, she has received specific training and certification from the Forest School Teacher Institute through New England Base Camp.

• Our French instructor has over 30 years of experience teaching, including in the French Immersion program in Milton.

• Parent volunteers who assist with teaching will go through a selection and interview process to ensure they have relevant experience and are a good fit for the program. While every homeschooling parent has teaching experience, we want to ensure that those leading instruction are prepared to support a structured and engaging learning environment.

Together, our team ensures a high-quality, developmentally supportive, and enriching experience.

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What if I don’t agree with the term “obedience” I’ve seen in the Scout Oath?

We completely understand that the word obedience can be off-putting, and we want to be clear: our program does not teach, recite, or require knowledge of the Scout Oath. While our collaborative is part of the broader scouting community, our participants are not members of scouting troops, and our program is guided by principles inspired by scouting rather than directly following its oath or laws.

Instead, we focus on three core Scouting-Inspired Principles:

• Character Development: Learning to navigate the unpredictability of nature helps children develop confidence and adaptability in everyday life.

• Community: Inspired by the Scout Law’s emphasis on teamwork, our adventurers will learn to rely on and support one another in outdoor challenges, recognizing the value of every team member.

• Conservation: Rooted in Leave No Trace principles, our students will develop a strong ethic of Earth stewardship, learning to respect, protect, and sustain the natural world.

We emphasize mutual respect and self-respect, but the concept of obedience is not part of our teachings. If you’d like to explore this topic further, we have experienced scouting mentors who are happy to discuss how our approach differs. Additionally, if a family is interested in formal scouting, we would be glad to help connect them with Cub Scouts or other groups—but only if they choose to pursue it.

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Why Multi-Age Learning?

We are so glad you asked! Here are some of the reasons why this style matches our mission so well:

1. A Natural Learning Environment

• In nature and in life, learning doesn’t happen in strict age groups—it happens through observation, experience, and collaboration.

• Multi-age learning mirrors the way children learn in families and communities, fostering organic mentorship and leadership.

2. Peer Learning & Social Growth

• Younger children learn by watching and engaging with older peers, expanding their skills and confidence in a natural way.

• Older children reinforce their learning by helping and guiding younger ones, building patience, empathy, and leadership.

• This dynamic creates a supportive, cooperative culture rather than a competitive one.

3. Individualized Learning at Their Own Pace

• Children aren’t pressured to keep up with or wait for same-age peers; they move at their own developmental rhythm.

• Instead of rigid grade levels, each child is met where they are and encouraged to grow at a pace that feels right for them.

4. A Cycle of Growth

• Younger children benefit from observing and engaging in more advanced work, which builds motivation and excitement.

• Older children strengthen their understanding by guiding younger peers, naturally developing leadership and empathy.

• Over time, each child moves from being a younger learner to an older mentor, experiencing both sides of the learning process

• This environment promotes collaboration over competition, teaching children to help and learn from one another.

5. A Stronger Sense of Community

• With children of different ages interacting daily, they develop deeper relationships, reducing cliques and social pressure.

• The mixed-age environment fosters a culture of kindness, collaboration, and mutual respect.

Your Forest School Collaborative creates a learning space where children experience the best of both worlds—structured peer learning and the freedom to grow at their own pace, all while staying connected to nature and family-centered values

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