Fern & Feather Forest School

Our Teachers

++Brian C.++

Brian Crosby here! I am an adventure seeker that is always on the lookout for ways to connect to Nature in a deeper way.  I have a beautiful wife that is a dual immersion elementary school teacher.  We have one beautiful 2.5 year old son and a second child joining our clan soon! I have a degree in Recreation Management from the University of Nebraska.  I have also had training in Nature-Connected Life Coaching from the Earth-Based Institute in Boulder, Colorado.  I have first aid training as a Wilderness First Responder from the Wilderness Medicine Institute.  I have 15 years of professional experience working with people of all ages and abilities in the great outdoors.  These experiences have gifted me the opportunity to travel all over the Western United States working in Wilderness Therapy, wilderness trip guiding, summer camps, before and after school programs, and therapeutic recreation programs.   I believe in fostering and creating space for children’s curiosity and imagination to run free.  This is key to living a connected life, and is at the core of my personal mission, as well as that of Fern & Feathers’.  The gratitude I have for the opportunity to help cultivate your children’s wondrous spirit is immeasurable.  I look forward to meeting you all out on the Land!

++Maria J.++

Hey there, my name is Maria. I’m a naturalist, artist, and formally trained in both conservation biology and social science. I’ve spent most of my life in the Sonoran Desert where I became curious about the living world and how people interact with place. My greatest passion is connecting people to nature and to one another and forest school is an uplifting place to see that happen everyday. I’m continually inspired by the curiosity, imagination, and perceptiveness of the kids; I’m grateful to be able to work with them!

​

​

Philosophy

Our philosophy at Fern & Feather is centered around connecting children to nature while fostering social-emotional learning. Through our emergent and flow style curriculum, your child will explore how they want to ‘be’ in this world, developing empathy and positive communication skills. We believe that spending uninterrupted time outside creates a deep connection to nature, self, and community, vital for confident and independent learners. Our focus on outdoor immersion allows for sensory awareness, problem-solving, and collaborative projects in the least restrictive environment. Research shows the benefits of unstructured outdoor play on children’s physical and mental well-being, including stronger immune systems and improved critical thinking skills. At Fern & Feather, we combine education and nature to provide daily powerful experiences that help children endure discomfort, persist, take controlled risks, and engage with the natural world.

Location

Skirvn Park : Philomath Frolic & Rodeo Grounds and Marys River Park in Philomath, Oregon

About our program

Through local partnerships we aim to allow our children uninterrupted time in nature through flow style learning and inquiry-based teaching.

With access to open fields, trails, woods and the Mary’s River, FFFS children will experience weather throughout the seasons.

Children will have the opportunity to learn primitive skills, participate in collaborative projects and enjoy independent learning while fostering social emotional development through non violent communication and solutions based problem solving.

Admissions

Join the Fern & Feather Forest School community in three easy steps:

1. Explore our website

We’ve provided information about our philosophies and offerings to help you decide if our program may be right for your family.

2. Meet the Director: Brian Crosby

See what makes Fern & Feather Forest School unique. Please schedule a phone or personal visit by filling out the “Connect with us” form.

3. Enroll

After reviewing your application, we’ll send an enrollment invitation. Upon accepting your invitation, you’ll pay your deposit (usually equal to one month’s tuition), fill out enrollment documents and review our Parent Handbook.