Each day the kids get to romp in the woods and find natural materials, such as clay, rock-paint, bark, and leaves to create works of woodland art.

This forest playground includes trails to explore, forts to build and play inside and creeks and puddles to splash in. Children delight in singing songs, and sharing stories that reflect their adventures.

Choose from 8 Camp Weeks at 4-H Acres

Growing Wild for Ages 3-5
Camp runs 9am – 1pm

Drop off: 9-9:15am
Pick up: 1pm

Eligibility for Growing Wild Camp is dependent on the following criteria:

Toilet Training: Children must be out of diapers/pull-ups and needing only minimal assistance with toileting. Children are encouraged to pee outside and to poop in a child potty that is kept at our base camp. Occasionally we are too far from a potty and need to use the nature bathroom (pee on the ground, poop in a hole) with assistance. There is also an indoor bathroom a short walk away.
Child must be 3 yrs old by May 1

Register for Growing Wild on the the Primitive Pursuits Website

Registration is complete and your child’s space is held when:
Payment has been made in full AND a NEW copy of your child’s latest immunization records has been sent to the Primitive Pursuits office (we are required by the NY Health Dept. to collect these every year, even if your child was with us the previous summer).

Office Location:
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-2292 | email Us

Preschool Location:
4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850


Ithaca Forest Preschool is a nature immersion program for children ages 3-5. Our program is run in cooperation with Primitive Pursuits, a project of Cornell Cooperative Extension.