“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24
Swamplings don't need much for a day of adventure—just a few essentials!
A hungry explorer is a happy explorer! Playing, climbing, creating, and exploring outdoors can work up quite an appetite, so we highly encourage packing a hearty snack and a protein-packed lunch to keep those little bodies fueled for adventure.
A little tip: We also recommend keeping an extra set of labeled clothes in a Ziploc bag tucked into your child's backpack. Mud puddles have a funny way of finding the most adventurous children!
Absolutely! Our bathroom is conveniently located inside The Den.
We also have designated handwashing stations throughout the property, making it easy to get fresh and clean after all that wonderful outdoor exploring.
We believe a little rain is part of the magic of exploring outdoors! But when the weather becomes unsafe, safety always comes first.
In the event of lightning or other unsafe weather, we will seek shelter in The Den, our designated indoor space. For hurricanes, we follow Lee County's school closure guidelines and will notify families of any closures or schedule changes.
If it's simply a rainy Florida day, however, we don't let a little water stop the adventure! We encourage our swamplings to embrace the rain, splash in puddles, and experience the joy of nature in all its wonderfully messy glory.
This is why we ask families to pack an extra set of labeled clothes in a Ziploc bag—because sometimes the best adventures end with muddy knees, wet socks, and very happy children.
As always, families will be notified of any closures or schedule adjustments as soon as possible.
For our Tiny Tribe Socials, grown-ups are part of the adventure! Parents stay, participate, and make memories right alongside their littles.
For our drop-off programs, children are given the wonderful opportunity to spread their wings, build confidence, and explore the world around them without direct parental supervision.
We know that letting go can feel like a big step for both little ones, teens and their grown-ups! Please rest assured that our programs are designed to provide a nurturing environment where children can feel secure while discovering their independence.
We also advocate on behalf of the children that are in distress being left and will encourage you to try again once they've become more confident, as we don't believe in rushing separation and acknowledge every child moves at their own pace.
We currently accept:
We're also working toward becoming an approved direct-pay provider for the Step Up for Students and AAA Scholarship programs. We're excited to make our adventures even more accessible to families and will share an update as soon as we're approved!
Ready to begin the adventure?
Simply fill out and submit our registration form, and we'll be in touch. We're happy to answer any questions you may have, help you find the program that's the right fit, and guide you through the next steps.
If the class or program you're interested in is currently full, don't worry! We'll let you know and happily add your child to our waiting list.
Sometimes the best adventures are worth waiting for.
We can't wait to hear from you and start exploring together!
The Drop-Off Forest Program is an all-outdoor learning approach where children spend meaningful, consistent time immersed in nature with the freedom to explore, play, take healthy risks, follow their curiosity, and discover the world at their own pace.
At Swamp and Soul the adult is less of a traditional teacher and more of a gentle guide. We observe, ask thoughtful questions, offer support when needed, and allow learning to unfold naturally from what already sparks a child's interest.
Instead of worksheets, desks, artificial lighting, and a tightly scheduled day, our classroom is the great outdoors. A child might spend the day building a shelter, climbing a tree, digging in the earth, watching insects, caring for farm animals, creating with natural materials, exploring trails, fishing, or simply sitting quietly and noticing the world around them.
These experiences help children develop confidence, independence, creativity, resilience, and a deep connection to the natural world.
At its heart, our Forest Program is about slowing childhood down. It's about stepping away from screens and busy schedules and giving children the space to simply be.
And most importantly, it's an opportunity to experience God's creation firsthand.
To feel the warmth of the sun.
To hear the wind through the trees.
To marvel at a tiny creature beneath a log.
To watch something grow from a seed.
To discover the beauty, truth, and goodness woven throughout His creation.
This is childhood as we believe it was meant to be—wild, wonder-filled, connected, and rooted in something greater than ourselves.
Our Drop-Off Forest Program currently welcomes children ages 5–13 with a unique "one-room schoolhouse" approach where different ages can learn, explore, and grow alongside one another.
Our Teen Forest Program swamplings, ages 14–17, take on a special role within our community. We mentor and train them much like young apprentices or interns, giving them meaningful responsibilities and opportunities to practice real-world skills.
They may help care for the farm, assist with younger children, learn new skills, take on leadership roles, and contribute to the daily rhythm of our Forest Program—all while continuing to enjoy the friendships, freedom, and adventures of childhood.
Our goal is to help teens gradually step into young adulthood with confidence, purpose, responsibility, and practical skills, while still giving them plenty of time to laugh, explore, get their hands dirty, and enjoy the magic of the farm and forest.
We believe there is something beautiful about children of different ages learning from one another just as they naturally do in a family, a village, or a little one-room schoolhouse.
No. We are an enrichment program, not a full-time school.
Our programs are designed to wonderfully complement traditional schooling or homeschooling, giving children something a little different: more time outdoors, hands-on learning, meaningful work, social connection, and plenty of room for curiosity and exploration.
Think of us as an extension of their education—where the classroom has no walls and learning happens naturally through doing, discovering, and experiencing.