Rain or Shine School
Rewilding Education.
Nature. Connection. Play.
Hej! Välkommen! Hi! Welcome!
Our Approach
Welcome to Rain or Shine School, where we rewild education by guiding children back to learning in and through nature.
Rooted in Waldorf inspired principles and a deep respect for childhood, our program serves families throughout the Flathead Valley, including Somers, Lakeside, Kalispell, Bigfork, and surrounding communities. We are part of a broader movement of nature and forest schools, an educational approach that began in Scandinavia and honors the social, emotional, and experiential foundations of learning.
Rain or Shine is more than a name, it is a way of being. Inspired by the Scandinavian philosophy of I Ur Och Skur, meaning in rain or shine, we believe children belong outside in all seasons. Whether in the rain, the snow, or the warmth of summer, children are immersed in the natural world, building resilience, joy, and a true connection to place.
We believe children learn best through direct experience. Through play, exploration, and meaningful work on the land, children develop not only knowledge, but a sense of belonging, responsibility, and care for the world around them.
At Rain or Shine School, rewilding education means slowing down, following the rhythms of nature, and honoring the whole child. In partnership with families, we extend this connection beyond the school day, supporting a lifelong relationship with nature, community, and self.
Learn more about our classes offered here!
PHILOSOPHY
At Rain or Shine School, we believe childhood is best nurtured in relationship with nature, community, and self. Our days flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, guided by the rhythms of the seasons and the interests of the children.
We spend at least half of each day outside in all weather, where children build, garden, explore, and move through the land with curiosity and purpose. This is made possible through a strong partnership with families, who support their children in arriving prepared and open to the elements.
Our mixed-age classrooms reflect a natural community. Younger children learn through observation, while older children grow in confidence, leadership, and empathy.
We honor a slower, more intentional pace of childhood—where learning is lived, relationships are central, and children are free to grow as themselves.
CURRICULUM
Our curriculum is rooted in the natural world and unfolds through the seasons, the landscape, and the interests of the children. We follow an emergent approach, allowing learning to grow from real experiences rather than a fixed plan.
Each day includes hands-on work such as building, gardening, storytelling, and creative arts. Early literacy and numeracy develop naturally through play, conversation, and meaningful daily activities.
The seasons guide our rhythm, offering a steady flow of exploration, rest, growth, and renewal. In our mixed-age environment, children learn from one another—through observation, collaboration, and leadership.
At Rain or Shine School, learning is lived, not delivered.
Supporting Your Child’s Growth
Children who attend Rain or Shine School often leave with a strong sense of self, the ability to navigate social relationships, and the confidence to engage with new environments.
Our program supports what is often referred to as school readiness through lived experience. Children practice problem solving, cooperation, listening, and self-direction each day within a meaningful context.
Acknowledgment
With gratitude and humility, we honor the land, waters, and First Peoples of the Flathead Valley.
Rain or Shine School operates on the traditional homelands of the Bitterroot Salish, Upper Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai peoples, who have cared for this land since time immemorial and continue to do so today as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
We recognize that access to nature is not equal for all and are committed to increasing access to inclusive outdoor experiences. Through our work, we strive to build respectful relationships, continue learning, and honor the deep connection between people and place..
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.”