A Place Unlike Any Other

Where children and youth grow in connection with nature, community, and themselves — a homeschool enrichment community in Stillwater, Lino Lakes, and Forest Lake, MN.

Welcome to Forest Lake Nature School

We are a homeschool enrichment community where children and youth grow through nature, creativity, and connection.

At the heart of Forest Lake Nature School are stories of connection – tree climbing, animal tracking, and forest forays. Founders Anthony & Melissa Ulrich created FLNS in 2024 as a homeschool enrichment community rooted in gratitude, belonging, and nature connection

Our mission is to awaken deeper connection to earth, others and self, weaving songs, rituals, storytelling, and seasonal rhythms so that children grow in creativity, resilience, and gratitude.

Our Offerings

Chickadee Adventures (3–5)

Curiosity, creative play, gentle rhythms.

Age: 3-5 years

Time: 9:00 – 12:00 pm

Fox Walkers (6–9)

Resilience, discovery, adventurous learning.

Age: 6-9 years

Time: 10:00 – 3:20 pm

Coyote Ninjas (10–12)

Leadership, mentorship, rites of passage.

Age: 6-9 years

Time: 10:00 – 3:20 pm

Parent Child Enrichment (2 - 4)

Nurturing Rythms, Purposeful movement and songs for toddlers and their caregivers

Age: 2-4 years

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Testimonials

Melissa and Anthony are kind, gentle, loving souls with a fabulous focus on the beauty around and within. We met through the music classes I teach and they were focused on the rhythm of their children’s learning styles. Anthony brings an unmatched energy and Melissa brings a peaceful gratitude for all around her. They are right on track with healthy sustainable lifestyles for body, mind and spirit. Your family will be enriched by this family whether you have a moment with them or a blink of the preschool years or a lifetime of friendship. Highly recommend! With their thoughtfulness and dedication, their school will be of unmatched quality and bring joy to all who enter their life garden.

- Tibbe, Music Teacher

I would very much love for my children to be a part of Forest Lake Nature School. If I could roll the clock back in time and make it all happen somehow, cosmically, if they were small people, I think they would be nurtured well and certainly a couple days a week with you all. Which is the best compliment I can really give, because I am pretty particular about what I want my children to be a part of.

- Greg, Naturalist and Guide

Forest Lake Nature School has been one of the biggest blessings my wife and I have experienced in our community. Anthony and Melissa have created a space that is safe, that is nourishing, and the learning that happens is remarkable. My daughter is now a bird identifying expert, she has a deep desire to be outside, and the relationships she has created are set up to last a lifetime. We are so grateful for being introduced to the Ulrich family and everyone in this community.

- Aaron, Parent and community member

In a crazy world where so many people are disillusioned with school systems, and kids are bombarded with screens, this is an amazing change of pace AND a place for kids to learn the way they were created to learn!

- Bethany, Community friend

FLNS is a blessing to the twin cities! An educational and nourishing offering for families, an invitation to deepen relationships with the land and each other. A much needed invitation for children to experience the simple yet profound beauty of the natural world.. and to explore with freedom and ease!

- Bridget, Parent

My daughter and I are really enjoying the parent-child group through Forest Lake Nature School. Melissa and Anthony are so warm and welcoming and we’ve made so many friendships and found such a great community through our participation in their program. We love the community building, togetherness, learning, programming and atmosphere. Their group is always our favorite activity of the week because we get to play outside together while being apart of something that is really helping shape the next generation into loving, kind, responsible, aware and well rounded people who care about living a holistic lifestyle in balance with nature and who will be passionate about stewardship of the land. We love Forest Lake Nature School and look forward to our ongoing participation as part of this beautiful family they have created.

- Sarah, Parent

For our family, Forest Lake Nature School has meant connection, being closer to nature and nourishment of the mind/body/soul.

- Kyra, Parent

Meet Our Guides

Melissa Ulrich

Founder & Lead Guide,
Forest Lake Nature School
Assistant Teacher, Minnesota Waldorf School
Facilitator, Nourishing Connections parent–child program
Advocate of seasonal traditions & nature-based learning
Community Member, MN Raw Milk Finder (7 yrs)

Co-Founder & Lead Guide,
Forest Lake Nature School
Forest School Teacher Institute Level II Certified
Experienced Forager & Wild Food Harvester (maple syrup, wild rice, mushrooms)
Co-Lead Guide, Wilderness Awakening (2023–2024)
Primitive Skills & Rewilding Practitioner

Teacher / Guide,
Forest Lake Nature School
Founder of Wilderness Awakening (since 2020)
Lifelong Educator with Montessori roots
Experienced in Forest School methodology & emergent curriculum
Passionate about nurturing curiosity, magic, and mystery in nature

Teacher / Guide,
Forest Lake Nature School
Naturalist, builder, and artist based in Minneapolis
BFA in Printmaking, University of Minnesota
Former Educator, Guelph Outdoor School; trained in the Eight Shields
Skilled in natural building, bushcraft, and wildlife tracking

Teacher / Guide,
Forest Lake Nature School
Nature connection facilitator
since 2006
Teaching philosophy rooted in exploration, wonder, and play
Experienced in outdoor education and community building
Lifelong learner with passions for books, family, and the natural world

Teacher / Guide,
Forest Lake Nature School
Returned to Minnesota in 2019 after years of adventure
Practicing lawyer with a passion for nature connection
Cyber Tracker Level III
Certified (2024)
Advocate for respect and harmony with all living creatures

Teacher / Guide,
Forest Lake Nature School
Practitioner at Functional Patterns Minnesota & White Bear Lake
Human Biomechanics Specialist with a background in Psychology & Human Development
Co-founder of Honeycomb Cottage MN, offering bee therapy & workshops
Passionate land steward, educator, and advocate for regenerative living