“we will choose IMPACT over ease and convenience anytime and every time”

The most real and true feeling that Child of the Wild inspires and instills in those who enroll in our programs is the felt sense of belonging and commUNITY.

These core values ripple far and wide and into, literally, every aspect of our program- our registration process included.

If you have made it this far, then you already know that we offer a unique ‘check out’ experience with our sliding scale tuition rates and sibling discounts.

In short we utilize this approach because it gives back to our Child of the Wild community (explained below) AND they also give you the opportunity to check in with your current ‘financial season’ and to therefore, pay what you can within the range of your applicable sliding scale.

It’s a win win.

BUT it’s complex.

(hence the lack of attempt at explaining it until now)

So… rest assured!

You’re not alone if you are thinking the following or something similar…

What is the purpose of a sliding scale?
How does it work?
What if I can’t pay more than the lowest amount of my sliding scale range?
Does the quality of my child's experience change if I pay more/less?
*Insert your other thoughts and questions here*

WE KNOW… Registration would be much easier IF you weren’t forced into a math equation after answering all the questions on our registration form…

WE ALSO KNOW… that from a business standpoint, it would make more sense for our registration and payment process to look the way most other forest and nature schools do… because it's ‘easier’, ‘common’, ‘familiar’...

BUT if we did that,

then the impact the sliding scale has program wide,

would

not

be.

And we will choose IMPACT over ease and convenience

anytime

and
every time.

Being a part of the alternative education sector is a beautiful thing- we are going against the status quo and leaving our mark as we guide the generation before us in a way that is so d e s p e r a t l e y needed.

BUT it comes at a cost,

An investment rather,

And one that is worth every penny.

But sometimes the pennies are hard to come by.

WE KNOW.

…we are all parents going against the status quo too!

Here is what was real and true in the Spring of 2023:

Constant Thought: How can we, as a Private School within the Alternative Education Sector, make the programs we offer more accessible for families within our community?

Constant Heart Throb: Overwhelmed with feelings of HOPE and DETERMINATION to make the imPOSSIBLE… POSSIBLE.

The Result: Sliding Scales, Automatic Sibling Discounts AND the Child of the Wild Scholarship Fund.

The results of our thoughts and heart throbs from 2023 live on. We are thrilled to share that we have since welcomed 20+ wilds as a result of our commUNITYs scholarship efforts- through both, private donations and our sliding scales.

It’s like a forest ecosystem of our own.

And a little goes a looooong way for this ecosystem to THRIVE.

We have witnessed the grand impact of how we navigate our unique ‘check out experience’ with our sliding scales and can proudly say that this will ALWAYS be the way each family is introduced and welcomed to THE WILD.

BRIDGE TO THE WILD

Sliding Scale Explained: Q&A

To calculate your total exchange owing:
1. Find the sliding scale that applies to your family (single child, two sibling or three sibling) and select a rate within that range to pay per child, per day.
2. Multiply your day rate by the number of weeks for that session (typically sessions run from 8-12 weeks in length)
3. Then multiply that amount by the number of children you are enrolling (if applicable)
Sliding scale rate x # weeks in session x number of children enrolling = total owing
Thelowest day rate of each sliding scale is the amount required to cover the cost of your child attending our Private Forest & Nature School and ALL the materials required for them to participate in our planned programming for that session.
ANY amount paid above the lowest day rate of each sliding scale is automatically accounted for and moved into our Child of the Wild Scholarship Fund.
No questions asked. We trust that you will select the rate that is most doable and aligned for your family.
Absolutely not! Every child gets the same experience, care and treatment regardless of what amount you pay for them to attend.
We have an application form that is available to families to fill out and submit (it MUST be filled out in full to be considered). Application forms are reviewed by the Child of the Wild team and the amount awarded to each family is based on need, which is determined by what was shared and disclosed on the application form.
All families are notified of their scholarship status regardless, on or before the date indicated on the form (this changes each session).
Apply
Absolutely! Again, no questions asked on our end! We understand that financial seasons can change and that it may be more doable to give in some seasons than others.
Yes! Donations of any denomination are welcome anytime! No amount is too small. If it is within your means to contribute to the program and support a wild one to attend Child of the Wild, you can indicate your donation amount upon registration or send us an email and e-transfer at: info@childofthewild.ca