207: Beyond Forest School: Trusting Children, Nature & Ourselves with Mel Merchand

**What happens when we trust children, trust nature, and trust ourselves enough to do education differently?** In this episode of the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, Victoria Hackett sits down with Mel Merchand, founder of Oro-Medonte Forest School, to explore what it really takes to build a thriving forest school and nature-based learning community. Going beyond the basics, Mel shares the behind-the-scenes realities of leading a forest school—from mentoring educators and building a strong culture to partnering with families, embracing thoughtful risk, and continually evolving as a nature-based educator. **In this episode, we discuss:** - What most people misunderstand about forest schools - The behind-the-scenes work that creates meaningful outdoor learning - Hiring and mentoring exceptional forest school educators - Helping families embrace child-led learning and risky play - How nature continues to shape Mel's own journey as an educator - The future of forest schools and outdoor education Whether you're just beginning your outdoor teaching journey or have been leading outdoor classrooms for years, this conversation will inspire you to think more deeply about what it means to trust children, trust nature, and grow alongside both. **Learn more about Oro-Medonte Forest School:** https://oromedonteforestschool.ca **Explore professional development, certification, workshops, and the CIRCLE Membership at:** https://www.outdoor-classrooms.com If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast, leave a review, and share it with another educator who believes children thrive when they learn in nature. #### **Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:** 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community #### **Connect with Victoria:** Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com Email: [Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com](mailto:Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com) Instagram Facebook ### Sponsorship Opportunities: If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the *Outdoor Classrooms Podcast* helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families. Contact Victoria at **victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com** to learn more. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!