KODAMA FOREST SCHOOL

Kodama Forest School offers children and families opportunities to engage with nature and support children's natural development through play and creativity.

We gather Saturday mornings for adventures from 9:30 - 12:00 in Joaquin Miller Park. Our location is accessible by AC transit and also has free street parking. Please see our calendar for a list of adventure dates.

Adventures are open for children ages two - eight. Children of all abilities are welcome to participate, please contact us if you think your child may need specific accommodations. Children under two are also welcome, if accompanied by an adult. Parents of older children are not encouraged to stay because their presence tends to inhibit children's engagement and risk taking. Parents who do stay are encouraged to step back and let children do things on their own (climb, fall, run, negotiate conflicts, etc.). 

MISSION

Kodama Forest School's mission is to provide opportunities for children and families to interact with, play in, and embody nature. Through our adventures and movement experiences we hope to engage children in a deep connection with nature and themselves. We hope this experience will empower them to see themselves as artists and environmentalists, thus motivating them to make positive change in the world as they grow up.

WHAT IS "Kodama?"

Kodama are a type of tree spirit from ancient Japanese folklore. These spirits, are believed to inhabit the forest and protect it from any harm. We are hoping this name will inspire children to understand the magical quality of nature and build an emotional relationship to the natural world.

BELIEFS

• Children are capable, resourceful, and curious
• Play is the most important vehicle for learning
• Nature is healing and supports optimal development
• Teachers are guides and learners, not bearers of all knowledge
• Nature is the ideal teacher and learning environment
• Nature play supports all areas of development​

EDUCATORS

Devon Anderson is the founder and director of Kodama Forest School. She earned her BA in Child Development from Mills College and has worked with children for over ten years. She grew up enjoying the outdoors - camping, skiing, and playing imaginary games in the overgrown alleyways of Seattle. For several years she dreamed of opening a Forest School where children could develop a deep connection with nature and learn through play. She is passionate about nature education, anti-biased curriculum, and the child's right to play.

Alice Blecker is a teacher, student, artist, and activist here in Oakland.  They are working towards their Masters in Child Development at Mills College focusing their research on artmaking as a tool to support neurodiverse children's self expression, creative confidence, and value for diversity.   Alice grew up speaking English and Spanish in a multicultural community in San Francisco and has worked at a few different preschools in the Bay area, taught art classes, and worked one on one with children with learning and developmental differences. Play based education is one of their favorite ways to connect and learn with children and they look forward to furthering this learning here at Kodama Forest School!

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Aiano Nakagawa is a Bay Area based dance artist, teaching artist, and activist. Although, after one year of co-teaching at Kodama, she's no longer able to regularly attend, Aiano continues to support Kodama through website consulting, videography, and strategic planning. She currently works full time at the Luna Dance Institute in Berkeley where she continues her passion for dance education, child development, and social justice. Aiano is earning her masters at CIIS in the Women, Gender, Spirituality, and Social Justice department. She is honored to be part of Kodama Forest School and witness the beautiful community in bloom.