Imagine a school set in the forest, where children can learn by following animal tracks, looking under logs and rocks, and observing how the seasons change. That is exactly what Tina Brouwer Kraska, the director and founder of Red Oaks Forest School, has brought to life across Eastern and Central Kentucky.
Tina’s love of rock climbing and birds originally brought her to the Red River Gorge in 1996, having grown up coming to the area to visit family. She eventually earned both the nickname of “the peregrine lady” and her Masters degree by watching birds, and studying their behaviors and habitats.
This fundamentally shaped her belief that nature itself is often the best way to teach lessons like adaptability, patience and care. As she became a mom, Tina envisioned a place where children in her community could learn these lessons from the woods.
Outdoor Learning in Kentucky
That idea became reality in 2014, when Tina partnered with two other moms, Hannah Harris and Melissa Rudick, to establish Red Oaks Forest School. As interest and enrollment grew, so did the school.
Today, Red Oaks offers mixed-age, outdoor learning experiences designed to meet children at different developmental stages. Programs grow alongside the children themselves, from the “Forest Families” program for the youngest learners to the “Conservation Club” for teens. Each program emphasizes play, exploration, seasonal rhythms, and hands-on learning rooted in the natural world.
Outdoor, play-based education encourages problem-solving, emotional regulation, and confidence in ways that traditional classrooms often can’t.
“In today’s world, children are over-protected, over-stimulated, and over-directed. How can they show us that they are strong and capable, and happy and confident, if they aren’t given the freedom to do so?” Tina asks in a 2019 TED Talk. “Nature immersion is a powerful tool to give kids a place to be themselves and test their limits. Mental and physical healing benefits abound.”
Strengthening the Foundation
As Red Oaks moved into its 10th year, more and more families were seeking out this kind of learning. With growing enrollment and an expanding staff, the founders recognized that a strong experience for children and families requires even stronger systems behind the scenes. To sustain their mission, they needed to strengthen their foundations, establish robust safety practices, and plan for long-term sustainability.
That support came through the Mountain Association’s Business Support Program. They partnered with consultant Chris Handberg, who guided the team through a comprehensive review and in-depth revision of their core policies and procedures. Staff surveys helped identify gaps in knowledge and areas where expectations needed to be clearer. As a result, the school improved communication practices and developed daily checklists and site-specific binders to support staff across locations.
“It would have taken years to get this project done due to the lack of resources we had available,” Tina said. “We now have a robust set of policies and procedures to help support the staff in better connecting with our mission, supporting programming with safety standards in place, and knowing what would happen in an emergency. I feel so much more supported thanks to our work with Chris.”
The partnership also strengthened succession planning and governance, including updates to board bylaws, term limits, and recruitment strategies. Red Oaks further advanced its commitment to inclusive programming by working with Chris to identify ways to gather community feedback.
Accessible Programming
Now, this spring, Red Oaks Forest School is celebrating one of its favorite seasons with a series of events centered around bird migration, to raise both awareness and funds for expanding access to their programs. Zugunruhe (zu-gən-ru′) is a German word meaning an inner stirring to move—often used to describe the instinct that triggers birds to migrate.
As migrating birds return to Kentucky, everyone is invited to make a pledge for how they will spend time in nature this spring. People can also take part in their celebratory events, ranging from tree walks and animal meet-and-greets to pop-up thrift stores and crafting opportunities.
- Lexington – April 2
- Berea – April 11
- Stanton – May 9
Not only do you get to mark the new season by participating in Zugunruhe, but you also help raise critical support for scholarships and programs that keep outdoor education accessible to more children. Learn more here.
