Homeschool Field Class Overview
Earthroots Homeschool Field Classes are nature immersion programs designed for children ages 6-14 years old. These programs offer students the opportunity to connect with the natural world in parks and other natural spaces around Orange County. In Homeschool Field Classes, nature itself serves as the teacher, and the focus is on cultivating wonder, curiosity, and life-long nature connection for each child.
The program explores a wide range of topics including wilderness awareness, ancestral living skills, ecological gardening, cooking, natural building, and crafts, through hands-on outdoor lessons and activities. Students may experience hiking to natural hot springs to study geology, tide-pooling along the coast, tracking animals, learning about watershed health and the water cycle, rainwater harvesting, identifying and using native plants, growing food organically, and cooking with a solar oven or over an open fire. We eat what we grow and discuss how our individual actions impact the world around us.
Participants develop a deeper connection with nature and learn to observe the rhythms and patterns of the earth’s cycles. No two days are the same, as lessons are adapted to meet the interests of the students and the spontaneous discoveries made in each location. For example, finding an octopus in the tide pools or discovering animal tracks on the trail may guide the day’s lessons.
A typical day follows the rhythm of morning circle, snack, exploration, lunch, journaling, a quiet sit, and closing circle, but the structure is flexible to embrace the natural flow of the environment.
Class Content
Topics planned for each class are determined by what is happening on the land seasonally in the location where the class is meeting that day. Examples of seasonal patterns that guide the class include elderberries ripening, yucca flowering, bird migrations, and creek flow.
Throughout the semester and over the course of many years, our participants build community through the shared experience of living in relationship with earth’s rhythms. Deep friendships are made as children are guided to show care and kindness for each other and the earth.
“The method of learning that Earthroots has provided has led our children to develop a deeper personal connection with the world, with their community and with each other.”
– Earthroots Homeschool Field Class parent
As participants gain experience, knowledge, and care for our earth, they are able to share their outdoor skills and nature awareness with family and friends. Homeschool class graduates are often empowered to successfully lead their loved ones on hikes and journeys that were inspired by their time with Earthroots. We recommend parents read Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature by Jon Young to get an inside glimpse of Earthroots mentoring philosophies.
Executive Director Jodi harvesting local plants with Homeschool Field Class students
Session Information
As an incentive, we offer a price break for families enrolling in the full year program. See the Registration Information section below for details.
Class Details
WHO: Children ages 6-14 years old
Forest Explorers (Wednesdays)
The Forest Explorers Program is recommended for children ages 6-10, or participants who would do best with increased child-led exploration and shorter hikes.
Wild Wanderers (Fridays)
The Wild Wanderers Program is recommended for ages 8-14, or participants who enjoy longer hikes and are ready to spend more time on focused, instructor-led activities.
These are drop-off optional classes. Students attending these programs are required to follow directions, use the restroom independently, stay with the group, and carry their own backpack. Children not yet independent with these skills will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If your child is 6 years old, you have the option of enrolling in the Forest Explorers Class (Wednesdays), Forest Kindergarten (Tuesdays or Thursdays) or in multiple programs.
Parents who stay with their children during class must model exemplary attentive behavior and full engagement in class activities. Earthroots is a cell phone-free zone. We kindly ask that you refrain from using electronic devices during class time.
We limit each class to a small group of adventurous students for a more intimate connection with the local surroundings, other students & instructors. Classes have a ratio of approximately 7 students to 1 Earthroots Mentor.
Forest Explorers and Wild Wanders classes have similar location schedules. Both field classes meet at different sites each week to explore Orange County’s diverse natural ecosystems* and landscapes, returning to our home site of Big Oak Canyon approximately 1-2 times per month. Locations range from San Clemente to Huntington Beach, and inland to Silverado Canyon. We encourage carpooling.
*Note: OC Parks, CA State Parks and other locations may have parking fees not included in the cost of class.
WHEN: Wednesdays &/or Fridays | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Forest Explorers (Wednesdays)
Fall 2025 Semester: September 10, 2025 – January 14, 2026 (16 classes)
Full Year 2025-2026: September 10, 2025 – May 20, 2026 (32 classes)
Wild Wanderers (Fridays)
Fall 2025 Semester: September 12, 2025 – January 16, 2026 (16 classes)
Full Year 2025-2026: September 12, 2025 – May 22, 2026 (32 classes)
You will have the option to enroll in the Wednesday class OR the Friday class. If you would like to register for Wednesday AND Friday please register for both days individually.
HOW: Click the Register Now button on this page. We require a deposit of $250 or full payment to hold your spot.
Your deposit can either be refunded at the end of the term, rolled over to hold your spot in a future semester, or held on account for additional program or purchase (up to 18 months).
If your child is attending a charter school, visit our Charter School page for more information about paying with Charter Funds.
Sibling Policy
Siblings who are within the age range of class (6-14 years old) must be registered as a regular participant. Siblings outside the age range of class (age 2-5 or older than 14) are called ACORNS. We invite ACORNS to attend with their parents. There is a $35 fee per day for siblings ages 2-5 years old or older than 14. There is no additional charge for children younger than 2 years old. Payment for ACORNS must be received at least one week prior to the date of class.
Registration Information
Registration information and payment must be received by us prior to the first day of class. Your registration is complete only when we have received payment in our office. If space allows, we may accept late registration once the session has begun. Class fees will be pro-rated after the first month of the session and a $50 late fee will apply.
Review our registration and cancellation policies and procedures HERE.
2024-2025 Pricing
Fall 2025 Semester: September 10 / 12, 2025 – January 14 / 16, 2026 (16 classes)
$1425 for first child/$1375 per additional sibling
Full Year 2025-2026: September 10 / 12, 2025 – May 20 / 22, 2026 (32 classes)
$2710 for first child/$2615 per additional sibling
Note: Students can enroll mid-year pending space availability. A pro-rated class fee will be calculated after the first month of class.
Please contact us at [email protected] about monthly installment rates.
Drop-In Rate
$93 per child per class
Drop-in classes are available for age-appropriate siblings of children currently enrolled in the class, when space is available. To schedule a drop-in date please contact us for availability [email protected]
Payments
Please note that processing fees will apply to online payments. In order for Earthroots to retain 100% of the price for this class, we kindly request that you check the box on the registration form to make an additional donation to cover the online processing fees (3.2% of the class total). Otherwise, to avoid the fees altogether, we invite you to make an offline payment via Zelle ([email protected]) OR by mailing in a check to:
Earthroots Field School
P.O. Box 504
Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
Along with the check or in the Zelle comment box, please include the following information:
- Student(s) Name
- Parent/Guardian Name
- Class you’re registering for (Class Name | Semester or Full Year)
- Phone number
Refer to class payment amounts above or simply send in the $250 deposit (per child) if you intend to make monthly payments.
Scholarships Available
Earthroots is committed to creating nature connection opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) participants and families in need.