Oaks - Wilderness Field Study

This immersive field study invites high school students to explore the foundations of the forest — stone and tree — through hands-on, place-based learning rooted in Michigan’s landscape. Forests, wetlands, and glacial landforms become our classroom as students engage directly with the natural systems that shape our region.

Grounded in traditional forest school practices, students develop practical wilderness skills alongside scientific study. Fire-building, shelter construction, safe tool use, and wood carving are woven throughout the year, with carving projects deepening understanding of wood grain, species characteristics, and tree growth patterns. Through an introduction to arboriculture, students also explore responsible tree stewardship, assessing tree health and learning basic pruning principles.

Students participating in the high school credit option will earn 0.5 credit in Geology and 0.5 credit in Dendrology in this integrated course.

In geology, students study Michigan’s geologic story through rock and mineral identification, glacial history, landforms, soil formation, weathering, and erosion. Primitive applications are emphasized as students select stone for tools and fire-making, process soil into clay, construct hearths, and read the landscape for drainage, slope, and material use — exploring how geology shapes both ecosystems and human survival.

In dendrology, students study the identification and biology of regional tree species, learning to recognize trees by leaves, bark, buds, and growth patterns while exploring forest succession, root systems, and the ecological role of trees in habitat stability and carbon cycling.

In a fast-moving world, this course teaches students to notice what is steady. By studying rocks and trees — and working skillfully with both — students build scientific literacy, practical competence, and a deeper sense of place, discovering that strong forests, like strong communities, are built on solid foundations.

Wilderness Field Study 2026-2027

for high school students ages 14-18*

Courses are one day per week. Choose the day that works best for you.

Mondays 10:00am-2:00pm

Wednesdays 10:00am-2:00pm

Thursdays 10:00am-2:00pm

*Student age as of September 1, 2026

Wilderness Field Study 2026-2027

Foundations of the Forest Focus (2026-2027)

Throughout the year, students build scientific literacy, practical wilderness competence, and a deeper understanding of how rocks and trees together form the enduring foundations of the forest.

Scientific Method & Field Observation
Practice asking strong questions, making careful observations, and recording patterns in the landscape through detailed field journaling.
Michigan’s Geologic Story
Identify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks while studying how ancient seas and glaciers shaped Michigan’s landforms, soils, and waterways.
Glacial Landforms, Soil & Watersheds
Examine weathering, erosion, and soil formation, and explore how geology influences forest growth and water movement.
Primitive Geology Skills
Select stone suitable for tools and spark-based fire-making, process soil into workable clay, construct hearths, and read the land for slope, drainage, and material use.
Tree Identification & Seasonal Study
Identify native and naturalized tree species using leaves, bark, buds, grain patterns, and overall form throughout the year.
Tree Biology & Forest Dynamics
Study tree anatomy, root systems, forest succession, and how trees contribute to habitat stability, carbon cycling, and watershed health.
Arboriculture & Woodcraft
Learn foundational tree stewardship skills, including assessing tree health and basic pruning principles. Apply dendrology knowledge through safe tool use and wood carving projects that deepen understanding of wood structure and species characteristics.
Human Relationship to Land
Explore how people past and present have relied on stone and trees for shelter, tools, fuel, and survival — considering stewardship and responsibility in our own time

Calendar 2026-2027

Fall Session

Sep 14 - Nov 19, 2026

Winter Session

Jan 25 - Feb 18, 2027

Feb 22 - 25, weather make up days

Spring Session

Mar 8 - May 20, 2027

May 24 - 27, weather make up days

Optional Independent Study
High School Credit
0.5 Geology and 0.5 Dendrology

Students wishing to earn high school credit in Geology and/or Dendrology may opt into the Independent Study component alongside the Wilderness Field Study course. As the homeschool parent, you are responsible for awarding credit on your student’s transcript, while Discovery provides the structure, mentorship, and resources to support rigorous, standards-aligned learning grounded in place.

Each week, teachers will share optional research-based assignments designed to deepen understanding of Michigan’s geologic history, forest ecology, arboriculture, and the practical applications of stone and wood in land-based living. Students can expect to spend 1–3 hours weekly outside of class engaged in reading, field observation, journaling, mapping, species study, and project-based investigations connected to their hands-on work.

Outside Resources May Include

Peer-reviewed journal articles
Geological surveys and regional maps
Educational documentaries
Online lectures or interviews
Field guides for rock, mineral, and tree identification
Books on geology, dendrology, arboriculture, and traditional land-based skills

Student Portfolios May Include

A detailed field notebook with observations, sketches, species lists, and landscape interpretations
Rock and mineral identification logs
Tree identification assessments
Documentation of applied projects (stone selection, clay processing, wood carving, tree health assessment, etc.)
Experimental design, data collection, analysis, and conclusions
Photographs or records of field investigations and skill development

This independent study is ideal for motivated students who want to pair scientific literacy with practical competence. By studying — and working skillfully with — rocks and trees, students deepen both their academic understanding and their lived relationship with the land that supports thriving ecosystems.

Long-Term Planning High School Credits?

Us too.
Each year, the Wilderness Field Study will have a new theme with a different independent study credit.

Wilderness Field Study FAQ's

Is partnership funding available for Wilderness Field Study? Yes! The High School Field Study Course follows our Wilderness School Model, and courses facilitate nature connection through art, music, and physical education/outdoor ed. The science credit is an Independent Study option to expand on the learning happening during Wilderness School.

What is the class size? We've opened 14 student scientist spaces for the class, with one teacher.

To gain a High School Credit, do we come up with our own work? Nope! Discovery will curate the resrouces for the Independent Study portion of the class. We will have a list of books and supplies needed for the course.

How will the class be graded? There are so many ways to assess learning besides written tests and book reports. Instead of tests, students will demonstrate comprehension of the material through oral presentations and group discussion. We have found that this facilitates a deeper understanding of the subject material than any test ever could!

Which textbook will you use? Instead of a single textbook, the spine of our curriculum will include living books that bring in diverse perspectives. We will also utilize documentaries, youtube videos, and journal articles, and our own scientific data as resources in this course.

Will this same course be taught next year? Discovery is on a five-year curriculum cycle. That means we're always engaging in new material. Wilderness Field Study will change with the theme each year. So, next year the Independent Study will have a High School Anthropology credit. The following year will be Ornithology. This way your student can have exposure and experience in various scientific fields.