Poplar & Pine Afterschool

Kids ages 6-11 spend afternoons exploring the woods, crafting, and learning earthskills.

Kids exploring stick fort/shelter in forest.
Child observing moth on wood in forest floor leaves during an afterschool forest program in Chapel Hill, North Carolina..

What we do:

Our afterschool program offers children a chance to step out of the classroom and into the forest. Through play, art, earthskills, and mentorship, we create a space for kids to explore their curiosities, grow confident in their abilities, and deepen their connection to the natural world.

Forest Play: tree climbing, games, exploring

Nature-Based Art: weaving, journaling, photography, printmaking, wood carving

Earthskills: shelter making, fire building, plant and animal ID, knife safety and responsibility

Mentorship: small groups, supportive mentorship, and leadership skills

Activities may include but are not limited to:
Hiking and open forest play, shelter/fort making, building and tending fires, climbing trees, awareness games and skills, plant and animal ID, photography, journaling, knot tying, knife safety and responsibility, weaving, wood carving, storytelling, and whatever else the forest may share!

Nature display of plants, snails, and butterfly outdoors for cyanotype creation.
Orange mushrooms on forest floor with leaves and pine needles.
Child creating stencil art at child's makerspace art studio.
Natural objects collection of leaves, shells, and flowers for cyanotype creation.
Turtle shell found in the forest at Belle Vie Farm with broken pieces of bone on wooden table.
Hands holding foraged chanterelle mushrooms in forest.
Children weaving colorful fabric on loom at Belle Vie Farm's art studio.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on green leaves.
Bee pollinating orange flower.
Wooden Celtic knot carving on grass.
Blue jay feather in tall green grass.
Children feeding goats and donkeys on farm.
Dragonfly artwork made from maple seeds and sticks outdoors.
Cyanotype process with butterfly wings.
Child painting with natural rock pigments.
Children playing blindfold game in wooded forest.
Dirt walking trail through lush green woodland.
Rustic barn with black roof in grassy field at Belle Vie Farm.

Where we do it:

We gather just outside downtown Carrboro on 34 acres of forest and farm land provided by Belle Vie Farm. While we have access to use their facilities and visit the animals, most of our time will be spent exploring and creating in the open forest. Learn more about the land here.

Group of children exploring wildflower meadow at Belle Vie Farm.
Turtle on damp forest floor with leaves and plants.
Autumn leaves glowing in sunlight on tree branch.

Registration

When: 2:45pm drop off – 5:30pm pick up

Who: Aspiring naturalists ages 6–11

Where: Belle Vie Farm in Chapel Hill, N.C.

When registering, please choose which day of the week you would like your child to join. Meeting dates and prices are listed below. Please note that we will not be meeting on Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Teacher Workdays and holidays. Prices for each meeting day are prorated for the number of times our group will be meeting during the session. You are welcome to sign up for more than one meeting day per week. At this time, parents are responsible for transporting their child to and from afterschool.

Because safety is our number 1 priority, if your child is neuro-divergent or may need additional attention for any emotional, social or health related reason please contact us before signing up.

Fall 2025

Session 1: October 6–November 13
We will not be meeting the week of October 27–31.

Mondays (Oct. 6, 13, Nov. 3, 10): $112
Tuesdays (Oct. 7, 14, 21): $85
Wednesdays (Oct. 8, 15, 22, Nov. 5, 12): $135
Thursdays (Oct. 9, 16, 23, Nov. 6, 13): $135

Register Now

Winter 2025/26

Session 1: December 1–January 22

Mondays (Dec. 1, 8, 15, Jan. 5, 12): $135
Tuesdays (Dec. 2, 9, 16, Jan. 6, 13, 20): $160
Wednesdays (Dec. 3, 17, Jan. 7, 14. 21): $135
Thursdays (Dec 4, 11, 18, Jan 8, 15, 22): $160

Session 2: January 26–March 5

Mondays (Feb. 2, 16, 23, March 2): $112
Tuesdays (Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10, 24): $112
Wednesdays (Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4): $160
Thursdays (Jan. 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5): $160

Register Now

Spring 2026

Session 1: March 9-April 23

Mondays (March 9, 16, 23, Apr. 6, 13, 20): $160
Tuesdays (March 10, 17, 24, Apr. 7, 14, 21): $160
Wednesdays (March 11, 18, 25, Apr. 8, 15, 22): $160
Thursdays (March 12, 19, 26, Apr. 9, 16, 23): $160

Session 2: April 27–June 4

Mondays (Apr, 27, May 4, 11, 18, June 1): $135
Tuesdays (Apr. 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2): $160
Wednesdays (Apr. 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3): $160
Thursdays (Apr. 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4) : $160

Register Now

 FAQs

  • We will be outside rain or shine, hot or cold, with access to indoors during extreme conditions. Please plan to bring:

    • Water bottle and snack

    • Bugspray

    • Sunscreen

    • Closed-toe shoes appropriate for the forest (boots are ideal!)

    • Rainboots and rain jacket if weather calls

    • Change of clothes

  • No, but also yes! We share the same land and philosophies as Belle Vie, but this program is more geared toward open forest time and primitive skill learning. Not to worry though — we’ll definitely have times for hanging at the dirt slide and visiting the farm animals!

  • We will be outside rain or shine, hot or cold. During severe weather (thunder, lightning, or tornado watch/warning) we will be indoors until 30 minutes after the threat has lifted. In the event of a tornado warning, we will stay in communication with families regarding the children’s well-being.

  • Yes but please keep in mind that we have limited time in the afternoons and early pickups interrupt our forest time. If you do need to pick up early, please let Ashlyn know at drop off.

  • Not at this time.