8 Nov 2025
MEDIA RELEASE: Forest School Singapore Relaunches as a Training and Research Enterprise
After eight years of running nature-based programs for children (2016-2024), the pioneer Forest School in Singapore — Forest School Singapore (FSS) – has relaunched as a training and research enterprise focused on empowering educators, parents, practitioners, and communities to create better environments of play and growth for children.
Our fieldwork with thousands of children revealed a fundamental truth: lasting impact requires addressing the environmental and social systems surrounding young people. A Good Death of Forest School Singapore was the process of closing all programmes for children. Families were informed one year ahead, to prepare for the closing of this season, which culminated in a closing ceremony on 5 November 2024.
We’re pleased to share our areas of focus in 2026:
Our Goals
- For 108 Singapore public community centres (CCs) to have their own Forest School/FS-like initiatives, led and managed by the people living around the CCs.
- For 353 Singapore Public Ministry of Education (MOE) Schools to have their own Forest School / FS-like initiatives, led by a dedicated team of full-time/flexi-adjunct educators.
- Develop a strong foundation of Forest School Training in the Southeast Asia region, that represents our land, culture, people and history.
Mechanism: Training & Research
- Three variants of Forest School training for Adults, adapted to our context in the Malayan Archipelago. This is immersive training for those who wish to become coaches, FS leaders, and practitioners, mentored by the pioneer of the Forest School movement in Singapore. This takes place once a year.
- Spotlight practitioners and issues in Forest School Communities through self-resourced research studies.
- E.g. We are heading to the 11th International Outdoor Education Research Conference (Norway, June 2026), to share on “Forest School Practitioner’s Experience of Anxiety”
Mechanism: Community Outreach
- Expanding beyond our existing network of 10,000+ families and connections across 100+ forest schools in 20+ countries
- Monthly Open Houses at our home base – Kampung Garden – to strengthen community bonds and rituals of care
- Weekly Clinics offering parents and educators practical integration support
Recent Projects (July 2025–present)
- Leave No Child Indoors Research Project, a collaboration between National Institute of Education and Forest School Singapore
- Reinforcing connections with educational leaders in the Singapore education landscape. More here
- Intergenerational Nature Play – with the Guo Clan Association: a session involving 40 pax from 2yo to 86 yo, enjoying time to be connected to nature, and challenge their limiting beliefs about their abilities.
- Parents First Forest School: supporting primary caregivers as primary change agents
We started Forest School Singapore to be the village that raises children. When Darren Quek put out his first offering, no one – apart from a small group of homeschooling parents – thought he should be charging $40+/session for outdoor sessions with no set curriculum.
With the steadfastness to the mission to revolutionise education with the Forest School approach and rhythm, we attracted families and dedicated coaches hailing from a multitude of sectors. The community, the movement and the sector grew rapidly in 8 years. Today, there are approximately 70 forest schools and forest school-like initiatives in Singapore alone.
With our rebirth, we move our focus to raising the adults of the village. We are ready.
Stay tuned for announcements on our programmes and trainings at
www.forestschoolsingapore.com and Instagram @ForestSchoolSingapore
A modest journalist kit is available by request: please email forestschoolsingapore@gmail.com stating your name, publication, story angle.