SMNS offers Forest School Classes in the South Mountain Reservation.  Join us in the forest!

SPRING ’25 REGISTRATION OPEN!

Forest School Classes
Forest School Summer Camp

SMNS is a forest school in the South Mountain Reservation, Maplewood, NJ. We offer Forest School Enrichment Classes for children ages 2-9 and Forest School Summer Camp for ages 4-7. We follow THE CEDARSONG WAY! SMNS’s Nature Immersion curriculum is “free time in nature, resulting in an intimate, deep and personal connection to the natural world.” Our programs promote social and emotional development, instill confidence and foster independence.

Summer Camps

Click below to enroll in Forest School Classes & Summer Camps

The Cedarsong Way

The Cedarsong way is a nature immersion philosophy that fosters kindness for oneself, the community and the natural world.

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preschool girl playing in the woods

Forest School Summer Camp

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Forest School Classes for ages 2-9

Caregiver & Child Classes and After School Classes each season Fall, Winter & Spring.

SUMMER CAMP is at capacity for 2025

SPRING REGISTRATION OPENS February 10th, 2025

CLICK BELOW to enroll in Enrichment Forest School Classes. These classes meet weekly and run 90 minutes.

Drop -Off Classes

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Weekday Caregiver Classes

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Weekend Caregiver Classes

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Our Teachers

MARY CLAIR SONNEMAN

Mary Clair Sonneman

Founder and Director

Mary Clair founded South Mountain Nature School in the fall of 2016 after earning her Cedarsong Forest Kindergarten Certification at Cedarsong Nature School on Vashon Island, WA. Mary Clair holds a Secondary Teaching Degree from San Francisco State University and BA in English from Boston University. She has 15 years teaching experience.

MARY CLAIR SONNEMAN

Anna Maxwell

Co-Director Forest School Programs

Anna Maxwell holds a dual Masters of Teaching in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education.  She has over 10 years of experience teaching kindergarten in the private and public school settings.

MARY CLAIR SONNEMAN

Kim Charles

Caregiver & Child Teacher

Teacher Kim has been a Forest School Teacher with South Mountain Nature School since 2021. She received an MSEd in Early Childhood Education for Special and General Education as well as an Advanced Certificate in Autism and Severe Disabilities from Bank Street College. She worked as a special education preschool teacher in NYC and as a developmental interventionist for NJ’s Early Intervention Program. Teacher Kim loves to hike in South Mountain Reservation and lives in South Orange with her family.

MARY CLAIR SONNEMAN

Hannah Rebhorn

Caregiver & Child Teacher

Hannah has an MSEd in Education, Culture, and Society from the University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Childhood/Special Education and Art History from New York University. She has more than a decade of experience in education as a teacher and leader in New York City and Philadelphia. Hannah is an avid hiker and enjoys spending time outdoors, especially during the change of seasons. She first learned about SMNS as a parent in one of our Caregiver classes, fell in love with the forest school experience alongside her little one, and is thrilled to join the SMNS team as a Caregiver Class teacher.

What Our Parents Are Saying

It’s been a little over one month into Forest school and we’ve already seen many good changes in my son which we credit with SMNS.

The most noticeable thing is his footwork, balance, and endurance have changed so much!! It’s amazing! Wyatt has always been really mobile and his first steps were in the form of running. He basically runs everywhere but also did an equal share of tripping and falling down.

Now he still runs but he isn’t falling plus he’s climbing a lot more. While we’ve always gone hiking and I am aware of the importance of uneven, natural surfaces for development, I think the sustained time outside, with a group of his peers, and being challenged through the activities offered by Teachers Annalise and Isy have led to this positive change.

Melissa D., Maplewood, NJ

I wanted to write and let you know how very pleased I am with my daughter’s class! This is the very BEST preschool experience we have had in our family. (I really liked my other children’s schools, but this is so much better!) The teachers are patient, kind, and thoughtful. The documentation is priceless. The whole family looks through the photos and captions to review the events of the day.

She comes home from the forest energized and excited. She plays outside with focus. She is so happy!

Julie P, Maplewood, NJ

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