Educating Our Youth Through Forest Explorers NYC

by BQE Admin · July 2, 2026

Hiking, Courtesy of Forest Explorers NYC.

When Forest Park becomes a campus for childhood education

By Michael Perlman

“Forest Park is one hundred percent our campus and our classroom, and I cannot think of a better place to allow children to be themselves, to learn and grow,” said Forest Hills resident Julie Corwin, a passionate teacher, creative visionary, and community leader who founded Forest Explorers NYC in 2024.

Sweeping Queens year-round is a Waldorf-inspired nature program for children ages 2 and up in Forest Park, with a threefold mission that encompasses nature, play, and the arts. “Our program helps children thrive in this amazing world through unstructured, self-directed play in the great outdoors with Mother Nature as the true teacher. We meet rain or shine, except for extreme weather. We embrace the concept that there is no such thing as bad weather, but only bad clothing, so dressing appropriately for the weather is important,” she said.

Julie and her husband Michael Corwin, and their two children proudly call Forest Hills home since 2011. She was born and raised in Atlanta, although she spent her summers in Maine. She relocated to New York City in 2007 to fulfill her graphic design pursuits with CNN. Not long after, she and her husband would relocate from Manhattan and also develop a love story with Forest Hills. “I couldn’t imagine a better place to raise our children,” she said.

Corwin comes from a solid academic background, which molded her passion for a hands-on, visual, and highly interactive approach to teaching. She achieved a BFA in graphic design from the University of Georgia. After CNN, she became a graphic designer for Hearst Magazines. When her first child was born, she became a full-time mom. “Once the kids got a little older, I re-entered the workforce as an assistant teacher and then lead teacher, since I was drawn to this exciting new second career pathway,” recalled Corwin.

Corwin’s experiences within Forest Park were a motivational force that resulted in developing Forest Explorers NYC. She reminisced, “When my kids were young, we would spend hours at the park, and I saw the value of unstructured play in nature. A playground leads, guides, and shows children how to play, and in a forest, the possibilities are endless. A child can lead, guide, and show themselves and each other how to play, which is a foundation for success in life.”

Her first calling was the arts, but she immediately gained a love of teaching. “I discovered that I could infuse teaching with my other loves of art and nature. Therefore, launching a forest school, which is popular in Europe, where they originated, was an obvious next direction,” she continued. Registration is limited, in order for children to benefit from a small class size of a 12-student maximum. The typical age range is ages 2 to 5, although it often extends up to age 8 during her MiniCamps and summer camps. Many students are from Forest Hills and Kew Gardens, in addition to other Queens neighborhoods. Some children make the trek from as far as Brooklyn.

Magnifying foliage, Courtesy of Forest Explorers NYC

There is no limit of inspirational stories that are bound to unfold before one’s eyes, as they immerse themselves in nature and among each other, thanks to Corwin’s guidance. She explained, “The look of pure joy and wonder on the children’s faces is so inspiring and such a motivation. The experiences we’re having are so positively impactful for their personal development, and something that will be with them forever, whether they realize it or not. Our adventures take us climbing to the top of a moon rock, riding on a tree-train, building a fort or snow castle, painting with flowers, making a forest wind chime, watching a mama bird feed her babies, spotting a bald eagle soar above, making dandelion wishes, counting acorn treasures, finding four-leaf clovers, baking a birthday dirt cake, singing and dancing in the rain, performing a rock ‘n’ roll concert with sticks and stones, and so much more!”

Corwin’s ideas for lesson plans offer a sense of wonderment. “Every morning, we discuss the days of the week, the weather, and our many observations, practicing mindfulness and awareness, as awareness is the key to everything. We have storytime, as well as an activity centered around the daily theme. We also have a wonderful Spanish teacher with a huge heart who incorporates Spanish into our singing and learning. The curriculum is age-appropriate and organic, as we incorporate ELA, math, science, Spanish, and art into our daily discoveries.”

In addition to the year-round forest school and summer camp, MiniCamps are hosted on selected days that New York City public schools are closed, so students enrolled in a traditional classroom environment can fill a void and benefit from quality time in a forest. Corwin explained, “Families enrolled in 3-K and pre-K join us throughout the school year once or twice a week as well. Forest Explorers NYC is a complementary educational program that enhances children’s traditional classroom experience, and especially for preschoolers. Time spent in the great outdoors with nature as the third teacher is incomparable.”

Such diverse experiences perpetually result in positive feedback from parents, who share that their children are engaged, happy, and thriving. “They see a positive impact on their children immediately. Many parents are early childhood educators themselves, and they truly appreciate how enriching and creative their child’s experience is,” said Corwin.

Forest Park and Forest Park Drive were designed by the firm Olmsted, Olmsted, & Eliot, consisting of Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. (who also co-designed Central Park), his stepson and partner John Charles Olmsted, and Charles Eliot. According to the Parks Department, in 1892, the New York State Legislature authorized Brooklyn officials to establish a large public park. The Brooklyn Parks Department purchased the first parcel of what was called Brooklyn Forest Park on August 9, 1895, with additional acquisitions continuing until 1898. The park was acquired by the City of New York in 1898. It was managed by the Brooklyn Parks Department, which also managed all of Queens’ parks until an independent Queens Parks Department was established in 1911.

Forest Park, named after its abundance of trees, largely consists of Northern Red Oak, Scarlet Oak, Tulip Tree, Shagbark Hickory, White Oak, Wild Black Cherry, Dogwood, Virginia Creeper, Sassafras, and Corktree. The park is noted for its largest continuous Oak forest Queenswide, and its memorial trees along Forest Parkway, which were planted in 1919 in commemoration of fallen WWI soldiers.

“It’s really cool that Forest Park was designed by the same renowned landscape architect that co-designed Central Park, and every day we marvel at its treasures, both hidden and obvious,” said Corwin. “You will never get bored of exploring its many paths. We love how we feel that we know its terrain through every season, and at the same time, we know there’s always something new to discover. It’s amazing to watch our students hone their navigational skills at such a young age. Every day is a new adventure waiting to be discovered!”

The 538-acre Forest Park setting is idyllic. “We are so fortunate to have a beautiful and expansive forest in our backyard, and the perfect platform for our daily adventures,” said Corwin, who pointed out various benefits, including nature’s calming element. “It gives children the space and time to foster their sense of wonder, imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills, increasing their concentration and focus, as well as motivation and overall happiness. When children are engaged and happy, they absorb more information.” She also explained how unstructured free play is a vital component of childhood. “In nature, play improves social-emotional awareness and promotes self-regulation. It also teaches cooperation, negotiation skills, compromise, and teamwork.” Furthermore, art is powerful. “It stimulates creativity, builds fine motor skills, boosts self-esteem, develops problem-solving skills, encourages critical thinking, enhances focus and concentration, and promotes emotional well-being.”

The fusion of art, nature, and play are transformative and powerful for people of any age, according to Corwin. “Every day, I see kids grow and learn in the forest, delighted with themselves and the world, as we discover the beauty and power of nature, the beauty and power within ourselves, and what we can do when we’re told we can do anything,” she explained.

Through Corwin’s teaching style and spirit, she is an example of a Renaissance woman. She embraces the value of wonder and creativity, enabling learning to become fun, effortless, and tangible. Being a good listener is also part of the equation. She emphasized the importance of recognizing each child’s thoughts and contributions, and giving them a sense of belonging and feeling heard. “My job is to deepen children’s connection with nature and themselves, while strengthening their social-emotional awareness. So much of what I do is riffing by piggybacking all the interesting and profound things that children say, and helping them draw connections that they are naturally inclined to make. With nature as our classroom, and play as our primary tools, that’s such an easy thing to pursue. When you observe, listen, and let children lead the way, the possibilities are limitless!”

Floral art, Courtesy of Forest Explorers NYC.

Corwin expressed gratitude on various levels. “I am grateful for the gift of adventures in the fresh air of the great outdoors with such inspiring human beings. I am grateful for the opportunity to challenge myself to always find wonder, joy, and beauty, even on the rainy days. I am grateful for the chance to have a positive impact on the next generation of leaders; the ones who will stand up to protect this amazing planet and all who dwell in it.”

When Corwin is not teaching, she enjoys simple pleasures such as taking walks or bike riding with her family, or discovering a new restaurant. She also takes great pride in producing art, and loves taking advantage of all NYC offers in that regard, ranging from pottery to textile weaving.

Originality and genuine values are the epitome. “I am inspired by people who blaze their own trail in life, as in people who do what’s right even when that may not be popular,” said Corwin. “I value people who have a strong moral compass and are authentic, and who is more authentic than children?! I’m especially drawn to artists and spiritual leaders who remind us to live life with wonder and amazement, as well as people who respect nature and all its creatures.”

On a daily basis, she composes a narrative about the amazing forest adventures, which she shares with parents, along with a photo album. She has always been passionate about photography, which captures that very essence.

“In today’s world, where more kids are living life through a screen, I am deeply committed to guiding the next generation back to themselves, back to nature,” said Corwin. “I am honored that I can play this role in children’s lives, and during such a critical time in their development. They’re learning to be curious, resilient, creative, empathetic, collaborators, and problem solvers; all the necessary skills to become the next leaders that will make a positive impact.”

“I am proud that Forest Explorers NYC is becoming a unique fixture of our neighborhood, and I strive to ensure serving our community for many years to come,” said Corwin. Follow Forest Explorers NYC by visiting instagram.com/forest.explorers.nyc and www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559040388420 and discover the forest in your backyard by emailing forest.explorers.nyc@gmail.com