Roots
Roots Program Details
Registration for the 2026-2027 season of Roots is open now!
Roots is a wilderness skills program for homeschoolers where we spend each Wednesday out in the woods. The program is designed to honor and develop the passions and skills of the participants in a wilderness setting. Together we learn the ways of the forest through fire building, shelter construction, rope-making, bone and stone tool making, animal tracking, sensory awareness, games, exploring and having fun.
Scholarship funds are available for those in financial need. Click here to apply.
-
Ages: 10-15
(Determined as of Dec 31, 2026)
-
Sept - 23, 30
Oct - 7, 14, 21
Nov - 4, 11, 18
Dec - 2, 9, 16
Jan - 20, 27
Feb - 3, 10, 17
Mar - 3, 10, 17, 24
Apr - 7, 14, 21*, 28
May - 5, 12, 19, 26
* Dates with an asterisk indicate an overnight.
-
9am-3pm
-
Montague, MA
-
Tuition: $1,830
Scholarship funds are available for those in financial need. Click here to apply.
Please consider using the ECheck option at check-out. Credit card fees are very expensive and cause program fees to increase. Thank you!
-
Policies & Frequently Asked Questions:
-
Each Wolf Tree day follows a steady rhythm that helps kids feel grounded, curious, and connected. We always begin with a combination of a big game and opening circle. Together, these help to build community, bring everyone into their bodies and onto the land, and set the tone. From there, we head into the woods for a mix of guided exploration and hands-on skills. Things like shelter-building, carving (for kids 8+), crafting with natural materials, fire-making and cooking, cordage-making, storytelling, sensory awareness, and nature-based games are oftentimes a part of the Wolf Tree experience. Activities flow between focused skill-building, community connection, imaginative play, and quiet observation in ways that strive to meet the energy of the group.
Food and rest breaks occur organically and throughout. Whether with a woodland adventure, group challenge, crafting session, or longer project, the program day deepens as our time together unfolds. Every program day ends with a closing circle, where we reflect, sing, share, and wrap up our time together with intention. Some programs (Roots, Rivers, Red Foxes) also include overnights that extend this flow into nighttime and camping experiences.
-
All program deposits are non-refundable. These cover the space we reserve for you or your child in the program, as well as the administrative work involved. If you cancel before a program begins, we will refund any tuition paid beyond the deposit.
If you decide to cancel after the program has started, you are responsible for full payment of tuition. We budget each program based on attendance and commit pay to staff, overhead and office work based on our numbers. When people cancel, we need to be able to keep those commitments. If we are able to find a replacement for the cancellation, we may refund the portion of the program tuition that is unused, but we cannot guarantee this will happen.
-
Wolf Tree programs happen in all kinds of weather, from the icy and golden days of winter, to the sunny and stormy days of summer. Given that our programs occur outdoors, we may need to cancel due to multiple factors that include extreme cold or wind chills, strong winds, lightning, unsafe driving conditions, and others. If we need to cancel program days, we will do our best to schedule a make-up day if possible.
We are unable to provide refunds for weather cancellations. Our wonderful staff commit themselves to each program day, and take time to prepare for our programs in many ways - it's important to us to honor our staff's commitment to our programming, regardless of the weather conditions on a given day. By choosing a Wolf Tree program, you are supporting our mission and values and the time and efforts of our team, even when the weather has other plans. Thank you!
-
Wolf Tree is a community built on trust, safety, and respect. To keep our programs fun and safe for all, participants must follow these rules:
No Tobacco, Vaping, Alcohol, or Drugs: Smoking, vaping, alcohol, cannabis, and all other recreational drugs are not allowed ever.
Technology-Free Zone: Phones and personal devices stay at home, or put away, during program time unless a leader says otherwise.
Respectful Language: No swearing, explicit talk, or intentionally discriminatory/unkind language.
Positive Participation: Everyone is expected to treat themselves, peers, leaders, and the natural world with care.
Failing to adhere to these rules may result in a participant leaving for the day, having a parent/guardian contacted, or, in serious cases, leaving the program. These expectations ensure Wolf Tree is a safe and welcoming place for all.
-
Our programs work best when participants arrive ready to engage, with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to try. We ask that youth join group circles, games, transitions, and activities with respect for the shared flow of the day. Because we move between many areas on the land and shift between active play, quiet focus, detailed instruction, and hands-on skills, participants should be able to follow group movement and leader instructions, and adapt as activities change.
Respect and safety guide everything we do. Working with tools and fire in nature requires that children follow instructions, honor boundaries, and uphold our agreements of care for themselves, their peers, and the natural world. While we value each child’s unique needs and personality, our programs are best suited for kids who can participate in group routines, cooperate with peers, and respond well to guidance from staff. These shared expectations allow us to offer a safe, supportive, and meaningful experience for everyone.