let's "grow wild" together!
Every Wildlings class is built on the same philosophy:
Children learn best through meaningful play, real experiences,
supportive relationships, and time spent outdoors.
No two days are ever exactly alike. We follow the seasons, the weather, the local wildlife, and most importantly, the interests of the children. Every class blends adventure, exploration, creativity, and play into experiences that simply can’t happen inside four walls.
While every Wildlings Ranger follows the same curriculum, safety standards, and daily rhythm, each brings their own unique personality, passions, and talents to their classes. Whether your family joins Ranger Ragon, Ranger Jay, Ranger Catie, or Ranger Lauren,
you’ll experience the same Wildlings philosophy while discovering each Ranger’s own special style of teaching and connecting with children.
To register for Wildlings, click the link of the Ranger whose classes
you'd like to attend and follow it to the registration page on SignUpGenius.
Registration is fully flexible, allowing you to sign up for as many
or as few days as fit your schedule.
Classes w/ Ranger Ragon
Forest Families: Join Ragon once a month for a special class for Wildlings of all ages. Rotating locations, $40/class/family
Forest School: Drop-off classes for potty-trained Wildlings ages 3-6 $60/class/wildling
10 am to 1 pm
Tuesdays @ Philippe Park, Safety Harbor
Wednesdays @ War Veterans Memorial, St. Pete
Thursdays @ Folly Farms, Safety Harbor
Classes w/ Ranger Jay
Forest Families: Join Jay once a week for a special class for Wildlings of all ages at Lowry Park in Tampa. $40/class/family
Forest School: Drop-off classes for potty-trained Wildlings ages 3-6 $60/class/wildling
3 pm to 6 pm
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
@ Lowry Park, Tampa
Classes w/ Ranger Lauren
Forest School: Drop-off classes for potty-trained Wildlings ages 3-6 $60/class/wildling
Mondays & Wednesdays @ Bay Vista Park, St. Pete
Tuesdays @ War Veterans Memorial, St. Pete
Lauren also hosts child & caregiver classes through Our Wild Learning - check them out!
Classes w/ Ranger Catie
Forest School: Drop-off classes for potty-trained Wildlings ages 3-6 $60/class/wildling
Thursdays & Fridays @ Maximo Park, St. Pete
Forest Families
For Wildlings of all ages & their loved ones
Our Forest Families classes are designed for caregivers and children to experience the joy of learning outdoors together! Registration includes one family of up to four participants, allowing families to explore, play, create, and connect side by side.
These classes are a wonderful way to build confidence outdoors, meet other Wildling families, and experience the Wildlings philosophy without the pressure of separation.
They’re also the perfect stepping stone for families who aren’t quite ready for drop-off classes. Children become familiar with our Rangers, routines, and outdoor learning environment while caregivers gain confidence watching their Wildling grow.
Perfect for:
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Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
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Homeschool families
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Families looking for meaningful outdoor community
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Grandparents and other caregivers
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Families preparing for future drop-off classes
forest school
A drop-off class for potty-trained Wildlings ages 3-6
Forest School classes provide many children's first opportunity to build confidence and independence away from their caregivers in a safe, nurturing environment.
Children spend their days making friends, solving problems, taking healthy risks, communicating, collaborating, and discovering just how capable they truly are. Supported by caring Rangers, they learn to trust themselves, one another, and the natural world around them.
Rather than rushing children toward academics, we believe, alongside decades of child development research, that the strongest foundation for lifelong learning is built first through relationships, play, confidence, and meaningful real-world experiences.
Our classes intentionally nurture:
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Executive functioning
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Communication skills
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Creativity
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Emotional regulation
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Resilience
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Problem-solving
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Independence
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Confidence
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Empathy and cooperation
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A lifelong love of learning
Children participating in drop-off classes should be fully potty trained. (See the Family Handbook for a detailed explanation of what this means and how we support children during this stage.)
A Day in the Life of a Wildling
Sample Daily Schedule
Every Wildlings Forest School class follows a familiar daily rhythm that helps children feel safe, confident, and prepared for each adventure while leaving plenty of room for spontaneity, curiosity, and child-led discoveries.
Family classes follow a similar, shorter schedule
10:00 - 10:30
Arrival, free exploration & play invitations
10:30 - 11:00
Morning gathering (songs, stories, snacks & topic intro)
11:00 - 12:00
Child-led adventures!
12:00 - 12:30
Afternoon gathering (songs, stories, snacks & reflection)
12:30 - 01:00
Free exploration and goodbyes
What we Learn
While our daily rhythm remains consistent, no two classes are ever exactly the same. Every adventure is shaped by the seasons, the weather, the children, and the countless opportunities nature provides.
Our curriculum follows the rhythms of nature
while remaining responsive to children’s interests
and discoveries. Throughout the year, Wildlings
may engage in:
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Exploring nature and local ecosystems
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Hiking and adventure
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Child-led play
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Wildlife observation
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Nature-inspired art
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Storytelling and early literacy
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Music and movement
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Gardening
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Building and engineering
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Science investigations
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Math games and challenges
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Practical life skills
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Social-emotional learning
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Risky play and confidence building
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Conservation and environmental stewardship
The Power of Play
At Wildlings, play isn’t a break from learning... it is the learning.
Our Rangers thoughtfully prepare environments, ask meaningful questions,
and create invitations that spark curiosity while supporting every area of child development. We observe children closely, extending their interests and
recognizing authentic learning as it unfolds naturally through play.
You’ll rarely find every child completing the same activity at the same time.
Instead, you’ll find children climbing, creating, experimenting, negotiating, imagining, wondering, building, and discovering - each following their own unique path while supported by caring adults who understand child development.
Because children aren’t standardized, we don’t believe their learning should be either.
The Wildlings Difference:
We believe childhood should be filled with mud on little boots, wonder in curious minds, and confidence that comes from doing hard things.
Here’s what you’ll find at Wildlings:
🌿 Child-led, play-based learning rooted in child development research
🌿 Small class sizes and meaningful relationships
🌿 Outdoor classrooms that change with the seasons
🌿 Beaches, forests, creeks, gardens, and parks instead of four classroom walls
🌿 Mixed-age learning that encourages leadership, empathy, and collaboration
🌿 Supported risky play that helps children build confidence and resilience
🌿 Rangers trained in Early Childhood Education, CPR, First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid
🌿 Flexible registration options designed to fit modern families
🌿 A welcoming community where children and their families can truly grow wild
Wildlings Around Town
In addition to our regular family and forest school classes,
you can also find us popping up around town throughout the year
at local markets, holiday celebrations, and specialty events.
Check out the calendar and join us!