Days at Cedar & Bones are active, hands-on, imaginative, and deeply connected to the outdoors.

Children may spend their days crafting fairies and building fairy houses, molding hobgoblins with clay from the mud kitchen, climbing logs, swinging in hammocks, listening to bird songs, tracking deer and coyote prints through the forest, foraging for berries, creating with natural materials, playing in the rain and mud, and moving their bodies through all seasons.

Morning circle is a steady daily rhythm and, as the school year progresses, evolves to include songs, yoga grounding exercises, literacy activities, community voting to help decide our next adventure, and listening meditation practices where children slow down and notice the sounds of wildlife, weather, and the environment around them.

Learning is woven naturally throughout the day. Children may practice drawing letters of the alphabet through storytelling and signs, count and sort natural materials, identify plants and insects, solve problems together while building, or ask questions about tracks, weather, water, and the changing seasons.

Our approach is emergent and interest-led, leaving space for children’s curiosity, seasons, wildlife, and the natural rhythms of the outdoors to help shape each day.

Our preschool program is designed for children ages 3–5 who are toilet trained and comfortable participating in an active outdoor program.

We firmly believe there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing! In our experience, some of the days that initially seem the “worst” often become the most memorable — mud puddles, foggy trails, heavy rain, frost, wind, changing leaves, animal tracks, and the sensory richness that comes with shifting weather. We regularly prepare families with gear guides and recommendations to ensure kids stay warm and dry throughout the school year.

Safety is paramount. In extreme conditions (such as high winds or hazardous air quality), we adjust our plans to keep children safe. Additionally, we follow the Beaverton/Portland inclement weather school closures. 

Parents pack lunches and snacks, and we encourage nutrient-dense, easy-to-eat foods that fuel outdoor play. We guide families on best practices for packing food that stays fresh and works well in an outdoor setting.

Safety is our top priority. Staff maintain first aid, CPR, and wilderness safety training. We have clear protocols for emergencies, including a designated shelter-in-place plan and communication procedures with parents. Risk assessment is a daily part of our practice, and children learn essential safety skills to navigate the outdoors with confidence.

Proper clothing makes all the difference! We provide a recommended gear list, but key items include waterproof boots, rain gear, insulated layers, and sun protection. We help families find budget-friendly options and offer guidance on dressing for all seasons.

Just like in any learning environment, conflicts arise—but they are incredible opportunities for growth! We guide children in using communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation skills to work through disagreements. Nature naturally supports this process, as kids learn to cooperate, take space when needed, and build strong social bonds.

We never pressure children into risky play. We support them once they show readiness and interest. Risk-taking is an essential part of development, and we support children in building confidence at their own pace. We provide guidance on assessing risks, using tools safely, and gradually expanding their comfort zone. Over time, even the most cautious children often surprise themselves with what they can do!

Dressing properly is key! In cold weather, we help children layer up, stay dry, and keep moving to generate warmth. In hot weather, we prioritize shade, hydration, and cooling activities like water play and resting during peak heat hours. Our program adapts to seasonal changes so children remain comfortable and engaged year-round.

Each child brings a full water bottle, and we have refill stations available throughout the day. We also incorporate hydration reminders to ensure children are drinking enough, especially in warmer weather.

All children need a well-fitting backpack, water bottle, lunch and snack, weather appropriate clothing, and that’s it! We provide all other supplies.

Children are naturally curious, imaginative, and driven to explore, experiment, build, question, and problem solve.

Rather than separating learning into subjects, nature becomes a springboard for integrated learning throughout the day. Identifying plants leads to conversations about shapes, colors, textures, patterns, counting, storytelling, and observation. Building with logs may involve experimentation, teamwork, balance, measurement, and early engineering concepts.

Teachers support children’s curiosity by asking open-ended questions such as:
“What do you notice?”
“What do you think will happen?”
“Why do you think that happened?”

We also maintain regular communication with families and offer parent check-ins throughout the year.

Cedar & Bones follows a 4-day weekly rhythm:

Monday–Thursday
9:00am–1:00pm

Extended care may be available for families, please ask us about it!

Founding Family tuition for the 2026–27 school year is:

$950/month
(September–May)

Tuition supports a small cohort size, low student-to-teacher ratio, and immersive outdoor learning rooted in nature-based and child-led education, conveniently located in NW Portland.