Two 'Mompreneurs' Created a Forest School That Reaches Thousands

“We want to be as big as Boy Scouts, be that kind of a household name,” said Barefoot University cofounder, Madeleine Braden.

It was a cool, muddy morning in March when I pulled into the empty parking lot of a sprawling forest and nature preserve about 40 miles outside of Fort Worth, Texas. Soon, cars began arriving, filled with exuberant children of all ages, and their parents, who were ready to spend a few hours together in the woods. Donned in rain boots and parkas, these nearly three-dozen nature-goers were part of Barefoot University, a rapidly expanding national network of forest school programs for homeschoolers that was founded by Madeleine Braden and Amber Brown in 2019.

Braden and Brown are two homeschooling mothers who wanted to get their children out in nature. They connected over Facebook, both sharing a fledgling interest in starting a forest school. Through social media, they found other homeschooling families in the Dallas/Fort Worth area who also liked the idea of regular nature time with their children.

What began as a weekly outdoor meet-up with a handful of local families has now become Barefoot University, a national, non-profit forest school that reaches over 3,000 learners in six states, with nine states set for next year.

“The importance of getting outside once a week is absolutely invaluable,” Braden told me when I visited one of the many Barefoot University groups in Texas. Each forest school has 35 homeschooled children and their parents who make a yearlong commitment to gather together each week in public parks, nature preserves forest or hiking trails, and participate in shared activities around a general theme.

This year’s theme is Rhythm: Fire, and the high-quality nature curriculum that Braden and Brown have created includes a guidebook and nature journal for each learner with lessons such as how to identify edible plants, tie knots, make a fire, or purify water in the woods.

“Building communities of being outside in nature with your friends and your kids, that’s the goal,” Braden told me, adding that even though the forest school only meets once a week, deep friendships are often formed that lead to other gathering and eversions throughout the week.

Spreading mostly through word of mouth, Barefoot University has attracted group leader through Texas, as well as Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and Connecticut. Prospective guides go through an application process with training and background checks, and then are ready to launch their programs. There is no cost to the guides to become part of the Barefoot University network, and each family pays about $75 a year to participate for two to three hours a week for 36 weeks, plus a $25 annual material fee for each child. Braden and Brown say they intentionally keep the cost low to enable wide access to the program, acknowledging that many homeschooling families operate on one income. They also provide scholarships for families in financial need.

Forest schools and nature-based education programs had been expanding over the past decade, but the education disruption caused by school shutdowns and remote learning beginning in 2020 accelerated interest in all kinds of schooling alternatives, including homeschooling. Homeschooling numbers skyrocketed during the first two years of the Covid response, and still remain well above pre-pandemic levels in many areas.

Texas has also seen its homeschooling numbers rise in recent years, contributing to the increased demand for programs like Barefoot University, which serves approximately 1,000 students in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area alone. “We have so many homeschoolers in Dallas/Fort Worth that it makes it easy,” said Braden about the growth of Barefoot University groups in her local area.

Much of Barefoot University’s expansion is now occurring outside of Texas, with a flood of applications coming in from prospective group leaders across the country. Braden and Brown expect interest in Barefoot University to continue to climb, even as they remain thoughtful about ensuring ongoing quality as

Ultimately, these two entrepreneurs hope Barefoot University will be available to all who want it, including non-homeschoolers and even adults and senior citizens. “We want to be as big as Boy Scouts, be that kind of a household name,” said Braden. With more individuals and families looking for greater connection to others and to nature, Barefoot University is well-positioned to become the national leader in community-based forest schools.

To hear more about Braden and Brown’s journey toward creating Barefoot University, listen to the latest episode of the LiberatED Podcast:

Kerry McDonald

Kerry McDonald is a Senior Education Fellow at FEE and host of the weekly LiberatED podcast. She is also the author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, WellEducated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom (Chicago Review Press, 2019), an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute, education policy fellow at State Policy Network, and a regular Forbes contributor. Kerry has a B.A. in economics from Bowdoin College and an M.Ed. in education policy from Harvard University. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with her husband and four children. You can sign up for her weekly email newsletter here

Savor and save: 5 benefits of growing your own produce

(BPT) - If you appreciate the taste and experience of fresh produce, it may be time to consider cultivating your own home garden. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a small balcony, you can grow your own fruits and vegetables and enjoy unparalleled taste, texture and freshness without driving to the grocery store.

Ferry-Morse - one of the largest U.S. gardening brands - wants to set home gardeners up for success by highlighting the top five benefits of growing your own fruits and vegetables.

1. Freshness that can't be beat

Produce can't get fresher than what you grow and pick in your own backyard! Grocery store produce is chosen for its hardiness because it has to endure long journeys and handling before it reaches the store, where it may sit on display for days. On the other hand, when you grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs, you control the harvest, so you can pick them at the peak ripeness and enjoy that fresh-off-the-vine taste.

2. Nutritious and delicious

Homegrown fruits and vegetables are also more nutritious than their store-bought counterparts. That's because crops begin to deteriorate as soon as they're picked. The farther it needs to travel, the more nutritional content is lost. At home, you can harvest your fresh ingredients as needed, ensuring your meal is made with the crispest and most nutritious produce possible.

3. Boosted taste and flavor

If you did a side-by-side taste test of a homegrown tomato compared to a store-bought one, chances are you'll notice the one from your backyard tastes better and is more flavorful. You'll enjoy a bolder flavor when fruit and vegetables are allowed to fully ripen on the vine. Homegrown produce allows you to experience a crop's true essence and provides a culinary experience that is sure to delight your senses.

4. A feast that won't empty your wallet

By growing your own, you'll save quite a bit of money. While there are initial expenses when setting up your garden for the first time, according to Better Homes & Gardens, the average home garden yields $677 worth of produce. Once you set up a garden, you'll have the necessary tools to nurture it season after season, creating a self-sustaining food cycle.

Making the initial investment in live plants and seeds will benefit you in the long run, as you won't have to spend your dollars on store-bought produce that can rise in cost throughout the seasons. To get started, find a reputable brand like Ferry-Morse that delivers live baby Plantlings directly from their nursery to your door.

For first-time gardeners, check out their Garden Starter Kits, which include 12 baby plants to get your garden going. There are over 40 kits to choose from, covering a wide range of culinary and floral themes to fit your taste and lifestyle preferences.

5. Connect with nature and reap the rewards

Gardening is a fantastic stress reliever that allows you to connect with nature and discover the joy of maintaining your own little patch of Eden. You can escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, get your hands dirty and watch your plants grow into robust crops. Take in the soothing sights, sounds and scents of your home garden and reap the benefits.

Planting and nurturing a garden is easier than you think and offers so many benefits to your palate, wallet and wellbeing. So grab your gardening gloves and spade and start your journey to a rewarding and nurturing harvest.

Try a homegrown meal for yourself

One of the many joys of summer is fresh, sweet corn on the cob, and growing it yourself makes it even more enjoyable! While always delicious steamed or boiled, cooking your homegrown corn on the grill can give it a charred flavor that will complement your favorite barbecued meals.

For an easy recipe, start by prepping basil butter by adding chopped basil, garlic and a bit of sea salt to your butter in a food processor, pulsing to combine. Lightly brush your corn with olive oil and sprinkle salt to taste, placing the corn on your grill once it's hot. Rotate your corn using tongs every couple of minutes until the kernels are blistered and bright yellow. Once your corn is ready, spread a generous amount of your basil butter on each piece and enjoy!

Visit FerryMorse.com for everything you need to get started, plus tips and resources to help you enjoy your garden more than ever this year.