Forest Music Families

Music and Nature Connection for Families and Caregivers with Children 0–7 in the Quw’utsun Valley

Lila Farm, Vancouver Island

Winter: February 3 – March 10 (6 weeks)
Spring: April 7 – May 26 (8 weeks)

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"Forest school was a transformative experience for our 9-year-old, planting seeds of respect for nature and a deep sense of observation that we see every time we roam the forest. His year there taught him to collaborate, respect, and question the interconnectedness of the world around him. We're immensely grateful to the mentors who guided him to think beyond himself, practice gratitude, and stay connected to nature. Forest school nurtures the empathy and resilience the world needs, and we're so fortunate to have this program in the Cowichan Valley."

— Stephanie Pickering
"You three have given my daughter and my family blessings beyond number through her involvement in wilderness school. I can't recommend you highly enough. Three of the most heart-centered, loving teachers of the wild."

— Sarah MacMillan

"The boys keep talking about their time there, they say it was 10/10 :)"

— Parent

About this Series

This Season

Day & Time: Tuesdays, 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
Location: Lila Farm

Winter Session: February 3 – March 10 (6 weeks)
Spring Session: April 7 – May 26 (8 weeks)

We’re delighted to welcome Jennifer Winter as our co-leader this term!
Jen divides her time between Portugal and the Cowichan Valley and brings her gifts as a mother, musician, vocalist, music teacher, and nature connection mentor. We’re thrilled to have her sharing her songs and creativity with us this season.

Jump to ‘Meet Our Mentors’

This fall, we’ll learn songs for autumn and songs that honour our ancestors, explore French, Spanish, and local Hul’q’umi’num’ songs, and enjoy playful movement with musical iron rods that invite us to move and listen together.

A Morning in the Forest

  • Families gather around the warmth of the fire
  • Gentle arrival games as families trickle in
  • Morning Circle: songs, awareness, and gratitude
  • Snack Time: families bring simple, healthy snacks to share
  • Story Time: storybooks, puppets, silks, and storytelling
  • Children’s Exploration: guided nature wandering with mentors — gathering herbs, pinecones, and plants for forest tea
  • Adults’ Activity: crafting, nature skills, cordage, or fire-making
  • Tea-Making: children help prepare tea from gathered plants to share with the group
  • Nature Crafting Together: wet felting, cattail doll making, flower paints, and more
  • Quiet Sit Spot and Family Wander: songs, games, and sensory exploration
  • Closing Circle: seasonal songs, verses, and finger games

We also have a yurt for cozy indoor time on cold or rainy mornings and a covered outdoor fireside circle for warmth and gathering.

Equitable Sliding Scale Pricing

We believe in accessibility for all families. Our Equitable Sliding Scale allows you to choose the rate that feels right for your family’s circumstances – no one is turned away for lack of funds.

6-week session — Suggested $300 per family
($300 / $250 / $200 / $150)

8-week session — Suggested $400 per family
($400 / $350 / $300 / $250)

Families are welcome to bring as many children as they’d like under one family registration.

Payment plans are available, and homeschooling funds are accepted through Lila Nature Programs.

This is not a drop-in program. Families commit to the session, though new families may join mid-year if space allows.

Spaces are limited — we’d love to welcome your family into the circle.

What to Expect

  • Songs, stories, and puppets to spark imagination and wonder
  • Nature crafts with seasonal plants and natural treasures
  • Outdoor adventures and games for children and grown-ups
  • Community rituals: gathering circle, sharing gratitudes and snack time
  • Seasonal discovery: bird language, plant knowledge, and forest life
  • Quiet and restful moments woven gently into the day

Everyone participates together—sometimes singing side by side, sometimes exploring with gentle guidance. The focus is always on playful, child-led learning rooted in music, nature, and connection.

Why Families Love It

Parents, grandparents, and caregivers share that Forest Music Families:

  • Builds confidence and joy in children
  • Creates meaningful family bonding time in nature
  • Connects families with a community of kindred spirits
  • Brings rhythm, play, and song into everyday life
  • Nurtures both children and adults with time outdoors
REGISTER HERE

Please share this invitation with friends. Forest Music Families is about growing together in community.
Any questions before registering – ask Cari  cari@cariburdett.com

Lila Music & Nature School Policies

These policies are designed to ensure the financial sustainability of our programs and to keep administrative processes efficient and equitable.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. 

Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

We do our best to make our programs a great fit for every child. Because we plan carefully and commit resources well in advance, we have a clear cancellation policy to ensure we can deliver safe, high-quality experiences for all families.

  • 30+ days before the start date: Full refund, minus deposit & registration fee.

  • 15–29 days before the start date: 50% refund, minus deposit & registration fee.

  • 14 days or less before the start date: No refunds or credits available.

Why this policy is necessary:
To create a safe, enriching program, we hire mentors in contract for the full year, prepare land use, purchase equipment, and complete wilderness training safety & compliance police checks before classes begin. These costs are non-refundable for us.

If Lila Music & Nature Centre cancels a program:

  • Full refund or transfer if cancelled due to low enrollment.

  • No refunds if cancellation is caused by inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control.

We find that 98% of families are very happy with their program experience. Withdrawal is rare, but in those cases, we hope this policy helps explain how we balance individual needs with the commitments required to run our programs.

To maintain smooth operations and fairness for all families, the following payment policies are in effect as of November 1, 2025:

  1. Tuition Due Date:
    Monthly tuition is due on the 1st of each month.

  2. Late Fees:
    A 7% late fee (minimum $5.00) will apply to any account overdue by more than seven (7) days. This fee recurs monthly until the outstanding balance is paid in full.

  3. Credit Card Authorization:
    All families must maintain a valid credit card authorization form on file.

  4. Declined Payments:
    A declined credit card is treated as an overdue account and will incur the same recurring late fee.

  5. Administration Fee:
    A $42.00 + GST administration fee will apply to accounts that do not comply with the studio’s standard payment procedures, such as requiring manual processing or additional administrative handling.

At Lila Music and Nature Centre, we value open, respectful communication and believe that most misunderstandings can be resolved through compassionate, in-person conversation. Our goal is always to maintain a positive and supportive environment for children, families, and mentors.

1. In-Person Conversations First

If a parent or guardian has a concern, question, or issue regarding their child’s experience, we invite them to speak directly with one of the mentors during the program day.
We encourage approaching these conversations with openness and curiosity, as our mentors are best positioned to offer insight into daily activities and interactions.

2. Collaborative Discussion

Our standard practice is to address concerns in person, including the child, mentor(s), and parent(s) involved. This helps ensure that everyone has the opportunity to share their perspective respectfully and that misunderstandings can be resolved in real time.

3. Written Communication

Lila Music and Nature Centre does not engage in conflict resolution through email or written correspondence. We have found that written exchanges can easily lead to further misunderstandings and take valuable time away from the educational and creative work of our team.

4. Scheduling a Meeting

Parents wishing to discuss a concern are welcome to request a brief meeting during program hours. These can be arranged directly with the lead mentor or through the director. Every effort will be made to meet promptly and collaboratively.

5. Our Commitment

We are committed to fostering a culture of mutual respect, empathy, and clarity in all interactions. Thank you for understanding and supporting our in-person communication approach—it allows us to stay grounded in community connection and attentive care for each child.

**NOTE: This program is not currently being offered.

If there’s enough interest, there will be a Fall 2025 program.
To express interest please email cari [at] cariburdett [dot] com

Enter your info below to get notified when registration opens

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“Children more than ever need opportunities to be in their bodies in the nature … It’s this engagement between limbs of the body and bones of the earth where true balance and centeredness emerge.”

— David Sobel

Meet Our Mentors

Cari Burdett

Lead MENTOR

For over 18 years in the Quwut’sun’ Valley, Cari Burdett has been committed to fostering a diverse community based on connection through music, relationships with our local Coast Salish Indigenous Elders (ReconciliAction through community building, music and service), and most recently, a dedication to mentoring all ages in the importance, healing and profound joy of Deep Nature Connection.

As the Founder of the Lila Music and Nature Center and mother of three older children, Cari brings with her over thirty years of professional training, degrees, intensives that focus on the healthy development of children and adults, with special focus on Anthroposophic & Waldorf pedagogy trainings, music therapy, pre and perinatal trauma work, plus communication models including Non Violent Communication and The Way of Council. Most recently, she has added to her skill set all she has been learning from Deep Nature Connection (including ceremony and rites of passage training) from her course immersion in Wisdom of the Earth, Thriving Roots, with ongoing Mentorship with Sal Gencarelle and the Helper’s Mentoring Society.  Cari’s warmth and dedication shines through as she welcomes these diverse, yet richly connected elements to the Wilderness Programs.

Jennifer Winter

MENTOR

Jen Isadora Winter is a facilitator of somatic and creative arts practices, weaving together vocal improvisation, movement, and nature connection. She has worked with both children and adults in group music and expressive arts settings in Canada and Argentina, helping people rediscover the joy and freedom of their authentic voice.

Having spent years performing and teaching in Spain and Argentina, Jen now draws inspiration from her life in a small coastal village in Argentina, where art, song, and community flow naturally with the rhythms of nature. Her work bridges the archetypal patterns of the human experience with the living intelligence of the natural world — inviting people to reconnect with their essence through play, presence, and song.

Testimonials

Cari is an amazing teacher who shares from her heart. She is an absolute blessing to our children. I'm grateful for her.

Sarah Macmillan, parent of youth nature program.

Cari is a magical weaver of hearts from the human being to the wild ones. She know how to Cary the fire and the water. She has the strength of the wind and feet on the earth. Her trust and commitment to life is pretty contagious and will definitely lift you up. Cari knows how to hold grief in one hand and hold joy and love in the other hand. I absolutely love her.

Claudelle Charette , Nature Mentor for Thriving roots and Wisdom of the Earth

Cari is a powerful and perceptive facilitator who walks with authenticity and love in all her relationships. She holds deep honour and integrity and will have you laughing and singing in no time. I’d highly recommend giving yourself the chance to be a part of this mentoring journey.

~Alaina Hallett, Director of Thriving Roots Wilderness School, Victoria, BC
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Course Information

DATES
Fridays, 10 AM – 3 PM (32 sessions from September 2024 to June 2025, excluding some cold weeks in January)

LOCATION 
Wild Farm, Glenora

COST
$60 per day. Total for 32 sessions: $1920 (50% discount for the second sibling). A $300 deposit is required to secure a place.  

Suggested Offering: We are honoured to have two Quw’utsun Elders guest teaching throughout the year. We suggest a minimum donation of $100 per family for Quw’utsun Elder Honorariums to help pay for their time and contribution to the Wilderness program. Thank you for your support.

TYPICAL DAY STRUCTURE

  • Morning: Nature-themed games, morning circle with songs and gratitude sharing.
  • Midday: Skill-focused guild activities like tracking, weaving, or bow making.
  • Afternoon: Free time in nature followed by group games and reflective sit-spot time.
  • Closing: Reflection and sharing of daily highlights and gratitude.

Join us for a transformative educational experience that nurtures lifelong learning and a deep connection to the natural world!

Deposit of $300 to secure space is required at final registration.

Scholarships are available on a financial need basis only. Please contact Cari directly to request a scholarship at cari@cariburdett.com. Scholarships depend on initially having full enrolment in the program.

Registration

**NOTE: This program is not currently being offered.

If there’s enough interest, there will be a Fall 2025 program.
To express interest please email cari [at] cariburdett [dot] com

2025- 2026 Forest Music Families

We are grateful to welcome the Raffi Foundation as a new supporter of our nature school community. Their generosity is helping strengthen our Elder Connection program, creating meaningful opportunities for intergenerational learning and relationship building. In addition, their support is helping make our programs more accessible by providing scholarship opportunities for youth from low income families. We are honored to partner with an organization that shares our commitment to connection, inclusivity, and a thriving future for all children

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