Blue Ridge Outdoor School
Blue Ridge Outdoor School, 123 W Washington St., Lexington, VA 24450
About
Blue Ridge Outdoor School is an entirely outdoor, all-weather learning program where children play, discover, dance, climb, take healthy risks, rest, write, build, and learn. The program includes an Adventure Summer Camp, a Forest Preschool, and a planned Forest Kindergarten starting in fall 2025.
• Ages: 3–6 years old
• Schedule: The program roughly follows the public school calendar from August to May, and it also offers separate Summer Camp programs.
Blue Ridge Outdoor School was established in 2023, beginning with the Adventure Summer Camp that year. The Forest Preschool started in fall 2024 and is planned to grow to include Forest Kindergarten in fall 2025. Each class has two teachers and a maximum of 10 students, which is a more conservative ratio than state regulations require. The program has a required uniform listed in its gear guide for cold and wet weather, along with a gear checklist that explains how to dress for different weather.
Blue Ridge Outdoor School states that it is dedicated to providing an entirely outdoor learning experience for children, focusing on whole-child development and connecting with nature. Its mission is to inspire children to explore, learn, and grow through extended time in nature, and it states that socio-emotional, cognitive, and physical development are all equally important. The program notes that it is inspired by the Scandinavian model of outdoor education established in the 1950s. After visiting other forest schools in Virginia, the founders identified Lexington as the backdrop they wanted for this type of learning.
All teachers are CPR and First Aid certified and complete all background checks and requirements from the Department of Education. Teachers have a background in outdoor education or receive training opportunities to further their learning. Amy received her Nature-Based Teacher Certification from the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools, and she is trained and certified in Wilderness First Aid and adult/child CPR. Rhianna has been teaching in both public and private education as a licensed elementary and middle school teacher for eleven years and holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Education from James Madison University. The Director and After School Adventure Lead is Rhianna Schlief.
Last updated January 19, 2026.
• Ages: 3–6 years old
• Schedule: The program roughly follows the public school calendar from August to May, and it also offers separate Summer Camp programs.
Blue Ridge Outdoor School was established in 2023, beginning with the Adventure Summer Camp that year. The Forest Preschool started in fall 2024 and is planned to grow to include Forest Kindergarten in fall 2025. Each class has two teachers and a maximum of 10 students, which is a more conservative ratio than state regulations require. The program has a required uniform listed in its gear guide for cold and wet weather, along with a gear checklist that explains how to dress for different weather.
Blue Ridge Outdoor School states that it is dedicated to providing an entirely outdoor learning experience for children, focusing on whole-child development and connecting with nature. Its mission is to inspire children to explore, learn, and grow through extended time in nature, and it states that socio-emotional, cognitive, and physical development are all equally important. The program notes that it is inspired by the Scandinavian model of outdoor education established in the 1950s. After visiting other forest schools in Virginia, the founders identified Lexington as the backdrop they wanted for this type of learning.
All teachers are CPR and First Aid certified and complete all background checks and requirements from the Department of Education. Teachers have a background in outdoor education or receive training opportunities to further their learning. Amy received her Nature-Based Teacher Certification from the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools, and she is trained and certified in Wilderness First Aid and adult/child CPR. Rhianna has been teaching in both public and private education as a licensed elementary and middle school teacher for eleven years and holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Education from James Madison University. The Director and After School Adventure Lead is Rhianna Schlief.
Last updated January 19, 2026.
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