Help Replant Uprooted Frolicking Ferns Farm School

For the past six years, Frolicking Ferns Farm School has been a sanctuary where young minds and hearts have flourished under the compassionate care and guidance of our founder, Alyssa Smith. Our students have thrived in an environment filled with wonder and exploration, where grape tunnels became gateways to imagination, an outdoor classroom fostered endless curiosity, and garden beds offered lessons in growth and patience. Each day, children have biked along paths of discovery and played in spaces designed to ignite their love for nature and learning.

More than just a school, Frolicking Ferns has been a cornerstone for families, providing a supportive and nurturing community that extends beyond the classroom. Parents have found a place where their children grow academically and emotionally, while building connections and support systems that benefit the entire family.

Now, faced with the challenge of relocating, we see an incredible opportunity to create an even more inspiring and permanent home for our beloved nature preschool. Our vision is to continue fostering this sense of wonder and community at a new rural homestead, where families come together, children grow in a safe, nurturing environment, and lifelong memories are made. Your support can help us replant and ensure that Frolicking Ferns Farm School remains a vital part of our community, nurturing both children and their families for years to come.

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Frolicking Ferns provides an essential childcare service to our community as Certified Family Child Care. Alyssa welcomes some families in as early as 7:15am and stays until 5:45pm many days to work around families' schedules, doctors appointments, and more. She offers families who private pay the lowest possible rates, and has been working overtime to participate in the Preschool Promise program so that most of our preschoolers have free tuition. Many of our students have been with us since they were 6 months old, and when they start school they come as much as possible during school breaks because they love the community they've found here. Our before/after school programs are also critical to the accessibility of Wandering Wolves Forest School for most of our students there. Wandering Wolves is a forest elementary founded by Alyssa Smith as well which provides comprehensive academics and nature-based learning to students who graduate from our pre-school program.

Leyla's Story

Leyla's journey began bravely at just 6 months old, despite medical challenges that made everyday activities risky. For her mom, trusting any childcare, especially a nature-based program, was daunting. Yet, Leyla thrived, spending countless hours outdoors under the careful guidance of loving teachers who helped her regulate her temperature and explore the natural world. She conquered boulders, pedaled bikes, and built intricate mud kitchen shops, embodying resilience and joy. Indoors, she delved into imaginative dollhouse adventures and honed early math skills, all while becoming a cherished friend to her peers. Leyla's story is a testament to the transformative power of outdoor education and supportive community, as she prepares to embark on her next chapter in Kindergarten.

Pepper's Story

Pepper's journey through our program has been truly inspiring. In other settings, Pepper's vibrant energy and lively spirit were often misunderstood, labeled as "difficult" behavior. However, here at our program, we embraced Pepper wholeheartedly for who she is. We saw her potential and channeled her big energy into meaningful projects with animals and gardening, allowing her passion to shine brightly. Instead of criticism, Pepper received constant encouragement for her kindness, hard work, strength, resilience. Pepper stands tall and proud of who she has become. We've helped her realize that her unique personality is a source of inner strength and joy, not something to be toned down. Pepper's journey is a testament to the transformative power of acceptance and support in helping every child thrive.

Lee's Story

Lee was born just before the world closed for COVID, and spent the first two years of their life primarily at home with parents who worked remotely. When they began at Frolicking Ferns, they were taken aback by the exuberance of other children and would usually play alone. Outside, they struggled with resiliency in the face of hard weather, minor discomfort, and anything risky like bike riding or tree climbing. Now 4 years old, Lee insists on walking barefoot everywhere, embracing their "tough feet" like their peers. They bravely bike down ramps, courageously climb trees, and joyfully engage with children of all ages. Lee's infectious laughter and silliness brighten every day, and they lovingly refer to their friends as siblings. Your support will help us continue fostering confidence and resilience in children like Lee at Frolicking Ferns.

Join us in making a lasting impact on the journeys of these students and many more.

Our new site:

The idyllic farm location offers an unparalleled setting for a farm school, fostering a deep connection with nature and hands-on learning. And it is less than a mile from our hometown of Cottage Grove, OR! They'll have space to go on adventures outside for hours each day, and learn how to be mindful, resilient, and kind.

Some features of the site will include:

Beyond its educational value, the permanent location will also host the two primary teachers (Alyssa Smith and Alicia Rose) and their families, allowing them to spend more time developing the site as their own kids play in the school's yard, as well as collaborating on projects in the evening when their kids are in bed.

Where your donation goes

We humbly seek your generous support to make a dream come true for Frolicking Ferns. We have a unique opportunity to secure a permanent home for our beloved daycare, and your contribution will be pivotal in making this a reality. Your support will help us cover the down payment and essential buyer/seller fees.

Our dedicated teachers were able to secure this purchase by providing evidence of their personal emergency savings. However, those funds are also needed to ensure the site is set up for prepare the daycare licensing, make vital repairs to the home, and re-establishing features of the school like the sandbox, art cabinets, and loose-parts construction site.

We understand that times are tough for everyone, and we deeply appreciate any support you can offer. We don’t take for granted what we are asking from our community.

By supporting this new permanent location for Frolicking Ferns, you are investing in the experiences and memories of children and their families. Together, we can build a lasting legacy that will inspire and benefit generations to come.

Hands-on Learning:

Engaging all senses to build mindfulness and resilience:

So much love, thanks to our strong focus on inclusion and taking care of each other:

About the Teachers

Our school stands apart by being led by teachers with formal training in education, decades of experience working with students, and a strong foundation in outdoor education and skills. Most of all, we have a contagious passion that inspires students! We pride ourselves on being lifelong learners and dabblers in all things, so we can support students in a wide range of activities from ASL poetry to leathercrafting, from herbal remedies to carpentry.

Alyssa "Alyssum" Smith-Carstens

Founder/Director

Alyssa holds a B.A. in Social Studies Teaching with a focus on Political Science. Since 2019, she has been the Founder and Director of Frolicking Ferns Farm Preschool & Childcare, where she combines her passion for education with her love of nature. With seven years of experience as an instructor at Whole Earth Nature School and two years as a teacher at Co-op Family Center, Alyssa brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her work with children.

Beyond her professional achievements, Alyssa is a hobby farmer, an adventure enthusiast, and an avid book reader. Her diverse interests and experiences enrich the learning environment she creates, making her an inspiring and nurturing presence in the lives of the children she teaches.

Alicia "Foxfire" Rose

Teacher/Curriculum Specialist

Alicia holds a B.A. in English and Anthropology, an M.A. in Environmental Education, and an M.S. in Game-based Community Learning. She is the creator of Wildkin, a program used coast-to-coast that inspires student engagement in outdoor education.

Currently a Lead Teacher at Frolicking Ferns, Alicia brings a wealth of experience to her role. From 2013 to 2022, she served as the Programs Director and Instructor at Whole Earth Nature School. She has also taught at Living Earth School and Adams International Montessori School.

Alicia’s extensive background and innovative approach to education make her a dynamic and impactful leader in the field of outdoor and environmental education.