Forest School Singapore coaches, are all part-time. But their effort and commitment ALWAYS goes beyond the empirical economical measurements of pay or KPI’s. We have a huge range of characters in the FSS coaching community, because we believe in the line, “IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD”. This village consist of individuals with varied experiences and styles, so that our children and families get to be expose to a wider range of the world. For this little fun article, lets explore and learn about some fun and cool things regarding the coaching community of Forest School Singapore together, and loosen up a little…
(1) 25% of our coaches were from Hwa Chong JC
At some point in 2019-20, our make up of the Forest School Singapore coaching team, had a 25% made up of ex-Hwa Chong JC alumni, out of 30+ coaches in our team.
(Fun note: We only had 1 ex-Raffles JC alumni with us that time)
(2) We have a coach who is a Grandmother (Linda), and a coach who is Teenager (Gerald)
Forest School is for everyone. And everyone, who has a heart can practice it. Linda joined us in 2023. She was a retired bank person, but took a path closer to heart in Forest Bathing and subsequently joined us as well. She has a granddaughter, hehe. Gerald joined us after being a FS kiddo from 2017-2019.
(3) We have an 8yo adult training facilitator (Livvi), who supports and shares at our adult workshops.
Initially, Livvi follows her mum (Lenora), to FSS Internal Trainings, as a little bird following her mummy to work. But over time, with deep insights into the inner work of Forest School through her exposure with the practice as the coaches training level and her time as FS kiddo in weekly forest school communities, Livvi started to become a co-guide to many of the training, giving her insights and views. Now she comes in to share and chat with other adults in some of the trainings that her mum leads.
(4) Some of us are sensitive and able to sense spirits/guardians
It is natural for many people who spend consistent time in Forested or Outdoor spaces, to start to develop more sensitivity to energy and other elements beyond. Many of the FSS coaches, have that sensitivity. The best part is that this community is a safe space to share and discuss openly about it. As one of our coach put it, “The ability to relate to and sense the forest, trees and spirits. I love that some coaches can sense this too and we can freely talk about it, in order to learn at the moment where it’s ‘less safe’ to being the children. And it’s a totally normal topic, that might seem like crazy talk outside.”
(5) Fearless in the face of impending weather
After doing Forest School, many of the coaches find that presense and space that gives us this strength to face tough weathers. As one of our coach aptly put, “People (FSS Coaches) amongst whom you feel no fear or anxiety even if you’re making your way out of the forest with lightning looming and light fading. 😅 [being in one another’s presence provides psychological safety. after awhile, even digital presence can be enough (though not a perfect substitute)]“
(6) Supportive & Authentic even though very different in opinions
I let this line from a coach explain this cool thing… “I love how supportive and authentic we are to one another despite our differences. Being able to talk abt anything and everything in a safe space.”
(7) A different shared view of being in the forest
Our shared view of being in the forest. It’s not the mainstream hiking or conquering distances or skills mindset. It’s more open hearted, real, reflective, compassionate and ‘earthed’.
Like a network of organisms exchanging nutrients, we have become an ecosystem where our individual identities merge, each reflecting the whole, and the entirety is mirrored in each of us.
Compiled by : Darren Quek
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