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 through extended time in nature. Each class has two teachers and a maximum of 10 students, which is a more conservative ratio than state regulations stipulate. All children in the program must be potty trained.
• Ages: 3–6 years old
• Schedule: Roughly follows the public school calendar from August to May; separate Summer Camp programs are also offered
Blue Ridge Outdoor School was established in 2023, starting with the Adventure Summer Camp that year. The Forest Preschool began in fall 2024 and is planned to grow to include Forest Kindergarten in fall 2025. The program follows Rockbridge County Public Schools for inclement weather and uses a required uniform, outlined in a gear guide, for cold and wet weather, along with a gear checklist for dressing for different conditions.
The mission of Blue Ridge Outdoor School is to provide an entirely outdoor learning experience for children, focusing on whole-child development and connecting with nature, with socio-emotional, cognitive, and physical development all described as equally important. The program is inspired by the Scandinavian model established in the 1950s.
All teachers are CPR and First Aid certified and complete all background checks and requirements from the Department of Education, and each teacher has a background in outdoor education or receives training opportunities to further their learning. Amy received her Nature-Based Teacher Certification from the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools and 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 Master’s in Education from James Madison University. The Director and After School Adventure Lead is Rhianna Schlief. After visiting other forest schools in Virginia, the founders identified Lexington as the setting for this type of outdoor learning for children.
Last updated January 19, 2026.
• Ages: 3–6 years old
• Schedule: Roughly follows the public school calendar from August to May; separate Summer Camp programs are also offered
Blue Ridge Outdoor School was established in 2023, starting with the Adventure Summer Camp that year. The Forest Preschool began in fall 2024 and is planned to grow to include Forest Kindergarten in fall 2025. The program follows Rockbridge County Public Schools for inclement weather and uses a required uniform, outlined in a gear guide, for cold and wet weather, along with a gear checklist for dressing for different conditions.
The mission of Blue Ridge Outdoor School is to provide an entirely outdoor learning experience for children, focusing on whole-child development and connecting with nature, with socio-emotional, cognitive, and physical development all described as equally important. The program is inspired by the Scandinavian model established in the 1950s.
All teachers are CPR and First Aid certified and complete all background checks and requirements from the Department of Education, and each teacher has a background in outdoor education or receives training opportunities to further their learning. Amy received her Nature-Based Teacher Certification from the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools and 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 Master’s in Education from James Madison University. The Director and After School Adventure Lead is Rhianna Schlief. After visiting other forest schools in Virginia, the founders identified Lexington as the setting for this type of outdoor learning for children.
Last updated January 19, 2026.
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