Program Summary
Acorn Weevils Forest School offers 4 to 7-year-olds a unique, play-based learning experience. Held entirely outdoors, the program runs from October through May on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM to 3 PM.
In today’s digital age, our kids are more connected than ever – but not always in ways that support their mental health. One of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, remedies for childhood anxiety is spending time in nature.
Research shows that when children engage with the natural world, they experience reduced stress levels, improved mood, and enhanced focus. The simple act of being outdoors helps them disconnect from the pressures of screen-based living and reconnect with themselves.
But the benefits don’t stop there! Time in nature fosters creativity, builds resilience, and encourages physical activity, all of which contribute to healthier, happier lives. These experiences can leave lasting, positive imprints on their mental well-being, providing them with tools to manage anxiety throughout their lives.
Program Format
When kids arrive at Zacharias Farm, the adventure begins right away! First, everyone gathers in a big welcoming circle- it’s our time to say hello, share what we’re grateful for, and get ready for a day full of fresh air and forest fun.
After a snack and a good story to spark our imaginations, it’s off into the woods we go! Each day is different – kids explore winding trails, build shelters, play nature games that sneak in math and science, and learn hands-on skills like fire-making and wildlife tracking.
They might follow animal tracks through the snow, listen for bird calls in the trees, or work together to build a cozy shelter from sticks and leaves. Along the way, they practice problem-solving, teamwork, and noticing how the seasons shape the world around them.
Every day at Zacharias Farm is a chance to get muddy, curious, and connected — to nature, to skills, and to each other.
While we incorporate components of structured curriculum, our days at Acorn Weevils are focused on child-led forest play. We value this time where children are free to play, connect with the land, develop motor skills, engage in moderate risks, and practice and imitate learned skills. Forest play allows us to honor children’s need to enjoy unstructured time and to foster personal agency, independence, and social learning. During forest play, Acorn Weevils are exposed to the joys of intimate connection to nature and finding their place in a community of peers and mentors. They have incredible moments of resiliency, courage, pride and beauty. This unique early childhood experience is enabled by our small class sizes and teacher-student ratios of 1:6.
Program Objectives
While a full day in the forest can seem like a long time for children this age, this time allows for invaluable opportunities to learn about their energy and needs at different times of day. The full day also invites children to dive deeper into projects, adventure further to new places, and immerse themselves completely in the lessons that the forest presents. Spending full days on the same patch of woodlands and fields throughout three seasons, also fosters a deep connection to and respect for the land.
There are moments of intense joy and others of overwhelming emotion during this program. We ask a lot of the children. We teach them to monitor and meet their individual needs. Acorn Weevils are coached not only to help themselves but to support their peers. They take care of their gear and pack things up themselves, carrying their backpacks throughout the woods, on – and off – trail. Variable New England weather, mosquitoes, unfamiliar forest, and being away from their daily caretakers are all challenges that Weevils face frequently. All of this amounts to a very different experience than they may have ever had before. We are privileged to be a part of their growth and learning in a loving environment and to witness them emerge even more resilient children!
Toilet Training
Children at Acorn Weevils will only have access to a “forest bathroom,” or outhouse. Acorn Weevil students must be comfortable with using this bathroom or toileting in the woods. Students must be fully toilet trained at the time of applying to our program. Toilet trained means that children can use the toilet independently, (pulling pants and underwear down, wiping if needed, pulling 
underwear and pants up), are aware of their bodies need to use the bathroom during all activities, and can communicate with an adult that they need to use the bathroom. Due to the nature of Acorn Weevils, children who are not toilet trained and regularly have accidents may be removed from Acorn Weevils.
Financial Aid
We have worked hard to make applying for financial aid as simple as possible. White Pine offers tuition discounts of 25% and 50% which can be self-selected during registration. We do everything we can not to turn families away, so please ask for what you need. Requests made for aid during registration are reviewed monthly. Should we not be able to fulfill your request, we will provide a full refund of monies paid and your deposit. Unfortunately, we cannot extend financial aid for more than one session to a single family member. If you have questions about the process or want to provide more information about your application, please call our office at 207-361-1911.
Neurodiversity
One of the most wonderful things about the outdoors is that nature is an equalizer. Many of the children who participate in our programs have IEPs and thrive at White Pine Programs. It is very helpful when families share these plans with us so that we can communicate with teachers, counselors and parents/guardians about accommodations. We partner closely with caregivers to make every effort to ensure students are successful in the program. However, safety is our first priority and behavior that puts our staff or other children at risk will be addressed swiftly and may result in a child not continuing with the program.
As a small nonprofit, we do not have the resources to provide one on one services but welcome having outside professionals provide that support. If your child receives services as part of an IEP or 504, please call our office at 207-361-1911 or email our Director of Operations at samm@whitepineprograms.org, prior to registering to learn more about the program, its structure and our support systems.
Gear
Due to the nature of our program, we operate outside in all weather and our students must have adequate gear to stay warm and dry. On cold or rainy days we have access to a canvas wall tent and a small cabin, both, with a wood stove. Please consult our provided gear list.
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Family Handbook
Please review our parent handbook before applying: Click Here
Oct 20 – Dec 30: Send along an article of blaze orange to wear. We wear blaze orange during hunting season- no matter the location.