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 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. All children 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 in 2023, adding Forest Preschool in fall 2024, and planning to grow again to include Forest Kindergarten in fall 2025. The program offers Forest Preschool, an After-School Adventure club, and Summer Camps, and follows Rockbridge County Public Schools for inclement weather. Families receive a required uniform and gear guide for cold and wet weather, along with a gear checklist that explains how to dress for different weather in the program.
The mission of 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, and that its mission is to inspire children to explore, learn, and grow through extended time in nature. The mission also states that the program is inspired by the Scandinavian model established in the 1950s and that it emphasizes socio-emotional, cognitive, and physical development. After visiting other forest schools in Virginia, the founders identified Lexington as the backdrop they wanted for this type of learning for children.
All teachers are CPR and First Aid certified and complete all background checks and requirements from the Department of Education, and teachers either have a background in outdoor education or are given training opportunities to further their learning. Director and After School Adventure Lead Rhianna Schlief is a licensed elementary and middle school teacher who has been teaching in public and private education for eleven years and holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Education from James Madison University. Preschool Teacher Amy Newhall 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. Preschool Teacher Kristina Janjic is also part of the leadership team.
Last updated July 18, 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 in 2023, adding Forest Preschool in fall 2024, and planning to grow again to include Forest Kindergarten in fall 2025. The program offers Forest Preschool, an After-School Adventure club, and Summer Camps, and follows Rockbridge County Public Schools for inclement weather. Families receive a required uniform and gear guide for cold and wet weather, along with a gear checklist that explains how to dress for different weather in the program.
The mission of 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, and that its mission is to inspire children to explore, learn, and grow through extended time in nature. The mission also states that the program is inspired by the Scandinavian model established in the 1950s and that it emphasizes socio-emotional, cognitive, and physical development. After visiting other forest schools in Virginia, the founders identified Lexington as the backdrop they wanted for this type of learning for children.
All teachers are CPR and First Aid certified and complete all background checks and requirements from the Department of Education, and teachers either have a background in outdoor education or are given training opportunities to further their learning. Director and After School Adventure Lead Rhianna Schlief is a licensed elementary and middle school teacher who has been teaching in public and private education for eleven years and holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Education from James Madison University. Preschool Teacher Amy Newhall 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. Preschool Teacher Kristina Janjic is also part of the leadership team.
Last updated July 18, 2026.
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