Tree Climbing at Oakview Farm Forest School: 

How We Keep Children Safe While Honoring Healthy Risk & Exploration

 

Tree climbing is a joyful and developmentally rich part of our program. It builds strength, confidence, problem‑solving skills, and a deep relationship with our Cedar Glade and Mixed Hardwood Forests. Because climbing involves real risk, we teach children clear, consistent safety practices that allow them to explore with confidence and care.

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Our Safety Approach

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A Single Safety Cue

We use one consistent cue (wolf call) that means freeze your body exactly where you are.

Children practice this daily so it becomes automatic, even during exciting play.  We may use the wolf call when we notice something that needs to be explained, or may be too risky. 

 

Daily Skill Building

Before climbing, children learn and practice:

• Clearing the area of debris, just in case of falls

• Three points of contact (arm, leg, body touching the tree for example)

• Test before Trust:  Testing branches before trusting them

• Looking for weak limbs

• Safe climbing height

• Respecting “one climber per tree trunk or major limb"

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Adult Presence & Support

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Forest School Teachers stay close, observe actively, and use calm proximity when a child needs guidance. We prioritize connection and regulation over constant correction.