CBI Forest School

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CBI Forest School A Jewish Forest School in Charlottesville, VA serving families with toddlers through fourth grade.

11/05/2026

The forest is always changing, and there’s so much for little eyes and curious minds to discover! From leaves shifting into brilliant shades of gold and red to the crispness in the air and the crunch beneath our feet, autumn invites us to slow down and notice the world around us.

Our Well-Rooted Child framework encourages children to build a deeper understanding of nature through Mind, Curiosity, and Hitlamdut (Learning). As the seasons change, we invite children to observe, ask questions, and explore what makes each season unique.

Whether collecting fallen leaves or noticing the bare branches overhead, children are discovering nature’s patterns, embracing change, and finding wonder in the world around them.

At CBI Forest School, we believe that spending time outdoors in every season helps children grow alongside nature, discovering something beautiful at every stage.

Rooted in nature. Growing through change. Finding wonder in every season.

One branch at a time, one foothold at a time, one discovery at a time. 🌳🧗In October, our Well-Rooted Child framework inv...
10/20/2026

One branch at a time, one foothold at a time, one discovery at a time. 🌳🧗

In October, our Well-Rooted Child framework invites us to focus on Understanding Nature: Mind, Curiosity, and Hitlamdut (Learning). We encourage children to slow down, observe closely, ask questions, and discover the wonders of the world around them.

Climbing invites children to do all of these things. As they reach for the next branch, search for a foothold, and figure out how to make their way upward, they’re learning to read their environment, solve problems, assess challenges, and trust themselves. Every climb is an opportunity to see the world from a new perspective.

At CBI Forest School, we believe that growing deep roots means having the confidence to reach higher, explore further, and keep discovering. 🌱

Grounded in nature. Growing through curiosity. Reaching new heights.

The string of Jewish holidays has come to a close, and now we have a chance to take a breath, slow down, and let the les...
10/07/2026

The string of Jewish holidays has come to a close, and now we have a chance to take a breath, slow down, and let the lessons of this season settle in. Over the past several weeks, our children have explored themes of reflection, gratitude, forgiveness, joy, community, and new beginnings. A well-rooted child doesn’t simply learn these lessons and move on, they carry the Insights gained for the rest of their lives;

And now, we can simply enjoy being on the river. There is something special about letting the current carry you, feeling the water move beneath you, and being present for wherever the journey leads. Childhood can be much the same: a balance of knowing when to paddle, when to pause, and when to let yourself be carried. At CBI Forest School, we believe in giving children the time and space to experience all of it. We encourage our students to explore, to breathe, to wonder, and to grow, deeply rooted in who they are while remaining open to wherever the current takes them.

We grow stronger when we grow together.Sukkot takes us outside and asks us to gather. We build a temporary home, share f...
10/04/2026

We grow stronger when we grow together.

Sukkot takes us outside and asks us to gather. We build a temporary home, share food, welcome guests, and celebrate surrounded by the natural world.

At our Sukkah Fest, children, parents, teachers, and friends come together not just to celebrate a holiday, but to experience what it means to belong.

Our sukkah may be temporary, but the sense of belonging we create inside it can last.

Rooted in nature. Rooted in tradition. Rooted in one another.

There is something especially beautiful about watching children experience Sukkot through their senses. From holding an ...
09/30/2026

There is something especially beautiful about watching children experience Sukkot through their senses. From holding an etrog, to exploring the sukkah, these moments allow children to experience Jewish tradition, not simply as something we learn about, but as something we live. Through touching, exploring, questioning, and wondering, children discover the connections between our holidays and our community. This is the heart of what it means to be a Well-Rooted Child, grounded in Jewish tradition, while remaining curious and open to the world around them. Sukkot reminds us that when children are rooted in tradition, community, and a deep sense of wonder, they can grow in beautiful and unexpected ways

What happens when we step outside our comfort zone?At CBI Forest School, being in nature means experiencing the world as...
09/24/2026

What happens when we step outside our comfort zone?

At CBI Forest School, being in nature means experiencing the world as it is, not only when it is sunny and comfortable. We feel the rain, the wind, the heat and cold. We take big walks, experience different types of weather,  encounter bugs, and discover that we can adapt.

This is gevurah, the inner strength to meet something challenging and discover, I can handle this.

As we move from Yom Kippur toward Sukkot, we invite you to spend time in a sukkah, go outside and take a walk, or eat dinner outside with your family!  We can't control the wind or stop the rain. But we can learn to meet what comes with curiosity, confidence, and resilience.

Strong roots help children feel ready to meet the world.

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The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur invite us to reflect: Who have I been? Who do I want to become?  These are...
09/17/2026

The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur invite us to reflect: Who have I been? Who do I want to become?  These are big questions for little people, but children begin exploring these ideas in small, everyday ways.

Did I take care of my friend? Can I try that again? What can I do differently next time?

Nature gives us space for this kind of noticing. Becoming a Well-Rooted Child isn't about getting everything right. It's about developing the confidence and self-awareness to notice, reflect, and grow.

https://cbiforestschool.teambrandscape.com/Pop up shop open! Only 48 hrs left to stock up on your favorite CBI Forest sc...
09/15/2026

https://cbiforestschool.teambrandscape.com/

Pop up shop open! Only 48 hrs left to stock up on your favorite CBI Forest school swag.

HomeWelcome to the CBI Forest School 2026 Apparel SaleThis year we are excited to offer a new color for our Forest School Apparel: Royal blue with light green imprint! We have short sleeve (ladies, men’s) performance shirts, long sleeve (gender neutral adult) performance shirts and a soft, cozy fl...

As we welcome 5787, we hope our children enter the new year feeling deeply rooted in who they are, connected to one anot...
09/13/2026

As we welcome 5787, we hope our children enter the new year feeling deeply rooted in who they are, connected to one another and knowing they belong. May they carry that sense of connection where ever they go. Shanah Tovah!

At  CBI Forest School, children come to know themselves through their bodies. They climb, balance, carry, and navigate u...
09/09/2026

At  CBI Forest School, children come to know themselves through their bodies. They climb, balance, carry, and navigate uneven ground.

With each experience comes a little more confidence: I know where my body is. I know what it can do. I can trust myself.

In Jewish tradition, gevurah means strength. But strength is more than being physically strong. Gevurah is the courage to try something difficult, the focus to find your balance, and the resilience to try again.

Address

301 E Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA
22902

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8am - 5:30pm
Friday 8am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+14342956382

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