South Burlington Schools Partner with Wonder Roots to Establish "Forest Classrooms" for Experiential Learning
November 21, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT – Wonder Roots, a leader in nature-based early childhood education, is proud to announce the successful implementation of a pilot program that has transformed local woods into dedicated "Forest Classrooms" for kindergarten students. Funded by a Vermont Early Childhood Fund grant from Building Bright Futures, this innovative project has brought immersive nature-based learning directly to approximately 170 kindergarten students and 10 educators across three South Burlington elementary schools: Rick Marcott Central School, Gertrude Chamberlin School, and Orchard School.
Over the past three months, Wonder Roots has partnered with the South Burlington School District to transform how students learn and grow. By establishing dedicated outdoor program spaces and providing intensive professional development and coaching, the program has empowered teachers to integrate nature-based play into their weekly curriculum.
Transforming the Student Experience
The impact on students has been immediate and profound. Children who began the program hesitant to explore the woods are now confidently leading their peers in discovery and inquiry within their new forest classroom.
“It’s been exciting to see the students' play develop and expand over the last two months,” says Colleen Christman, Owner and Director of Wonder Roots. “We’ve seen students who had never played in the woods before become leaders in discovering frogs and other woodland creatures. We are seeing a real growth in their independence, creativity and problem solving skills, and a newfound perseverance when facing challenges.”
The program focuses on "whole-body learning," where students develop critical life skills through guided interaction with the environment. “The outdoor environment provides a unique opportunity for students to construct and immerse themselves in imaginative worlds,” Christman adds. “This isn't just recreation; it's the rigorous work of developing self-awareness, collaboration, and resilience. For a child, play is learning.”
Empowering Educators for the Long Term
A key component of the grant was not just to provide a temporary experience, but to build lasting capacity within the schools. Through a series of professional development workshops and weekly on-site coaching, educators have gained the skills and confidence to facilitate nature-based learning independently. Wonder Roots has worked with the district to create a forest program curriculum that aligns with the district’s learning goals.
The project’s "coaching model" has been a resounding success. Teachers are invested in continuing these efforts and are working to embed outdoor learning opportunities into their regular curriculum and school routines. This shift ensures that the benefits of the program will continue long after the grant period ends in December.
A Model for Future Growth
This pilot program serves as a proof of concept for a scalable model of nature-based education in public schools.
“This pilot program paves the way for Wonder Roots to implement programming into other interested schools,” says Christman. “We have demonstrated that with the right support and resources, authentic nature-based education can be a sustainable and transformative part of the public school experience.”
As the initial grant period concludes, the South Burlington School District and Wonder Roots are celebrating a successful launch that has laid a strong foundation for the future of outdoor learning in the community.
About Wonder Roots:
Wonder Roots is a Vermont-based educational organization dedicated to empowering children through authentic, nature-based learning experiences that foster resilience, creativity, and holistic development. Founded by Colleen Christman, a Vermont-endorsed educator with extensive experience in public, private, and homeschool settings, Wonder Roots partners with schools and families to transform outdoor spaces into "whole-body" classrooms where curiosity leads the way. Through direct youth programming, specialized educational consulting, and professional development, Wonder Roots equips educators with the skills to integrate innovative, play-based curriculum into their practice, aiming to reverse rising trends in stress and behavioral challenges by cultivating healthier communities one child—and one classroom—at a time.
Media Contact:
Colleen Christman Owner/Director, Wonder Roots LLC
716.912.3876
colleen@wonderrootsllc.com