Running a forest school is about much more than lesson plans and permission slips. While the learning happens outside, your operations still need to be organized and efficient.
Whether you run year-round outdoor programs, weekend sessions, or seasonal camps, forest school management software can lighten your load.
Read on to learn what to look for, what tools are available, and how to choose the right software for your nature-based program.
Outdoor schools and nature-based programs are different from traditional schools.
The right platform should help you:
✅ Simplify registration
✅ Collect waivers and medical information
✅ Automate communication
✅ Manage drop-ins, waitlists, invoicing, and payments
✅ Stay organized, even in the woods.
| Feature | Why It Matters for Forest Schools |
|---|---|
| Online Registration | Let parents register quickly |
| Digital Waivers & Health Forms | Avoid paperwork; access forms from your phone. |
| Waitlists & Drop-ins | Fill spots as they open, without manual tracking. |
| Automated Emails & SMS | Instantly send weather alerts and reminders. |
| Payment Options | Accept deposits, full payments, or e-transfers. |
| Mobile Access | You’re not at a desk, your software shouldn’t be either. |
Best all-in-one tool for forest schools and outdoor programs
Designed for outdoor programs, Activity Messenger brings together online forms, waivers, payments, text messages, emails, attendance tracking, and post-program surveys in one place.
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Cons:
Best for DIY forms with payment options
Jotform lets you build custom registration and waiver forms with Stripe/PayPal integration.
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Best free combo for small or new forest schools
If you’re starting out, a mix of Google Forms for registration and Mailchimp for parent emails can get the job done, all for free depending on usage.
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Running an outdoor or forest school comes with its own set of challenges, unpredictable weather, off-grid locations, and plenty of moving parts. That’s why more and more nature-based programs are turning to Activity Messenger to manage registration, collect payments, send reminders, and stay in touch with families.
Here’s how three inspiring outdoor schools use Activity Messenger every day:
Nurtured by Nature Forest School
Based in Ontario, Nurtured by Nature Forest School uses Activity Messenger to manage seasonal registrations and automate parent communications. With customizable forms, they collect everything from allergies to emergency contacts, all in one place. Waivers are signed digitally, and last-minute changes (like weather delays) are sent via SMS.
Parry Sound Forest School
This nature-based program relies on Activity Messenger to simplify class signups and collect payments online. Instead of juggling spreadsheets, Parry Sound Forest School now track attendance and sends newsletters to keep families informed without the administrative chaos.
The Guelph Outdoor School
The Guelph Outdoor School, one of the most established outdoor schools in Canada, uses Activity Messenger to streamline operations. They’ve automated communications and created engaging email templates for updates and program announcements. They also use group text messaging to quickly reach parents before or after a session.
The best forest school management software lets you spend less time buried in admin, and more time outside with the kids. Whether you’re running a few weekend classes or a full nature-based learning program, investing in the right tools will help you grow sustainably.
Need help setting up your forms, waivers, or SMS alerts?
Reach out, we’d love to show you how Activity Messenger can simplify your outdoor education program.
