OUR PRINCIPLES AND RULES
Our principles and guidelines help create a safe, warm, and respectful environment during our walks. They ensure smooth communication, support, and a harmonious atmosphere in the forest. Please read them before joining our forest walks.
PRINCIPLES
1. Names are inviolable
Participants address each other by name. This means you may call someone only by the name they introduced themselves with nothing else. Any evaluative naming, including words like “good job,” is considered a disguised form of renaming. Some children may voluntarily engage in playful name-calling with each other. That is their choice.
2. Bodies are inviolable
Participants do not touch another person’s body without permission. This means no pushing, pulling, shouting into someone’s ear, or even standing too close and invading personal space. It also means that by mutual agreement, children may play games like tag, where touching is part of the rules, or “king of the hill,” where pushing is expected. Adult leaders do not engage in such games with children in order to respect this principle.
3. Belongings are inviolable
Participants do not touch the belongings or creative work of others without permission. No one may take or seize another’s item, except in matters of safety. This principle also means that children may give, trade, buy, or sell items among themselves if they choose. Adult leaders do not participate in item exchanges.
RULES
1. Children may explore the area independently as long as they can see or hear the accompanying adult or group leader.
2. If a child is taking a physical risk, such as climbing a tree, the leader or parent should ensure the child feels confident and safe in taking that risk. You may ask: “Do you feel confident right now? Are you ready?”
3. Leaders and adults give clear instructions when a child’s safety (life or health) or the safety of another child may be at risk.
4. We do not restrict stick play, but we ensure that the stick is no longer than the distance from the owner’s shoulder to their fingertips. This prevents accidental injury. Our aim is to help children understand their boundaries while still enjoying active, physical play.
5. We encourage children not to put natural materials into their mouths. If this is an important part of a child’s exploration, the leader or accompanying adult should help meet this need in the safest way possible.
6. Adults may encourage children to take healthy risks but should not verbally or physically push them toward “new heights.” A child’s fear signals their safety boundary. Pressuring them may lead to undesirable outcomes.
7. Adults may provide physical support when a child explicitly asks for it. However, adults should not lift or place children onto high trees or structures, as this can create unsafe or traumatic situations.
8. Before helping a child, adults should always consider whether the child has asked for help. Sometimes a child who is used to adult assistance may ask out of habit. In such cases, the adult can offer a different type of support or simply stay nearby. For example: On a slippery hill, the adult can offer a rope from above or provide a steady base from below, but should not pull or haul the child’s body upward.
9. We encourage parents to trust their child’s own sense of temperature. Children should not be forced to wear something that makes them uncomfortable, even if an adult feels it is necessary. Learning to understand one’s body is a key goal of forest walks and supports emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
10. We ask adults not to give advice or set unnecessary limits on play or exploration unless a child’s life or health is at risk. Independent exploration and play are core values of the Forest Club and essential for a child’s development. Children need to feel they are growing, achieving new things daily, which builds confidence, happiness, and emotional well-being.
11. The Green Rule: We leave nature cleaner than we found it, picking up both our own and others’ litter.
COMMANDS AND SIGNALS
Stop! Used when boundaries are being crossed or there is a risk of it happening. Say it loudly and make a clear stop gesture. It is important to respond appropriately to every “Stop” signal.
Behind the Backpack! This command helps the group start moving. It means the leader walks in front, and no one should go ahead of their backpack. We use this command when the group needs to move faster, reach a specific point, or maintain formation with the leader in front. This command is usually combined with the Leader–Tail rule, where a designated person walks at the back of the group to ensure no one falls behind and signals the leader via radio if needed.
1. Names are inviolable
Participants address each other by name. This means you may call someone only by the name they introduced themselves with nothing else. Any evaluative naming, including words like “good job,” is considered a disguised form of renaming. Some children may voluntarily engage in playful name-calling with each other. That is their choice.
2. Bodies are inviolable
Participants do not touch another person’s body without permission. This means no pushing, pulling, shouting into someone’s ear, or even standing too close and invading personal space. It also means that by mutual agreement, children may play games like tag, where touching is part of the rules, or “king of the hill,” where pushing is expected. Adult leaders do not engage in such games with children in order to respect this principle.
3. Belongings are inviolable
Participants do not touch the belongings or creative work of others without permission. No one may take or seize another’s item, except in matters of safety. This principle also means that children may give, trade, buy, or sell items among themselves if they choose. Adult leaders do not participate in item exchanges.
RULES
1. Children may explore the area independently as long as they can see or hear the accompanying adult or group leader.
2. If a child is taking a physical risk, such as climbing a tree, the leader or parent should ensure the child feels confident and safe in taking that risk. You may ask: “Do you feel confident right now? Are you ready?”
3. Leaders and adults give clear instructions when a child’s safety (life or health) or the safety of another child may be at risk.
4. We do not restrict stick play, but we ensure that the stick is no longer than the distance from the owner’s shoulder to their fingertips. This prevents accidental injury. Our aim is to help children understand their boundaries while still enjoying active, physical play.
5. We encourage children not to put natural materials into their mouths. If this is an important part of a child’s exploration, the leader or accompanying adult should help meet this need in the safest way possible.
6. Adults may encourage children to take healthy risks but should not verbally or physically push them toward “new heights.” A child’s fear signals their safety boundary. Pressuring them may lead to undesirable outcomes.
7. Adults may provide physical support when a child explicitly asks for it. However, adults should not lift or place children onto high trees or structures, as this can create unsafe or traumatic situations.
8. Before helping a child, adults should always consider whether the child has asked for help. Sometimes a child who is used to adult assistance may ask out of habit. In such cases, the adult can offer a different type of support or simply stay nearby. For example: On a slippery hill, the adult can offer a rope from above or provide a steady base from below, but should not pull or haul the child’s body upward.
9. We encourage parents to trust their child’s own sense of temperature. Children should not be forced to wear something that makes them uncomfortable, even if an adult feels it is necessary. Learning to understand one’s body is a key goal of forest walks and supports emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
10. We ask adults not to give advice or set unnecessary limits on play or exploration unless a child’s life or health is at risk. Independent exploration and play are core values of the Forest Club and essential for a child’s development. Children need to feel they are growing, achieving new things daily, which builds confidence, happiness, and emotional well-being.
11. The Green Rule: We leave nature cleaner than we found it, picking up both our own and others’ litter.
COMMANDS AND SIGNALS
Stop! Used when boundaries are being crossed or there is a risk of it happening. Say it loudly and make a clear stop gesture. It is important to respond appropriately to every “Stop” signal.
Behind the Backpack! This command helps the group start moving. It means the leader walks in front, and no one should go ahead of their backpack. We use this command when the group needs to move faster, reach a specific point, or maintain formation with the leader in front. This command is usually combined with the Leader–Tail rule, where a designated person walks at the back of the group to ensure no one falls behind and signals the leader via radio if needed.
Hello there! If you’re reading this, it means you are a true Forest Elf!
And every Elf has magical rules that help everyone explore, play, and stay safe together.
OUR MAGICAL PRINCIPLES
🧚♂️ Your name is magic!
We call each other only by our names, just like wizards in fairy tales! So if someone says, “My name is Sasha,” we call them Sasha, not “little one,” “kitty,” or anything else. Playing silly name-games with friends? Wonderful! Just make sure everyone is having fun.
🙌 No touching without permission!
Every Elf has an invisible bubble — personal space! We don’t push, pull, or shout into someone’s ear. But! If you both agree to play tag or king of the hill, go for it! Just ask first: “Do you want to play?”
🎒 Don’t touch others’ things!
If someone has a cool stick, drawing, or pinecone, we always ask, “Can I see it?” You can also trade, gift, or invent games with things, as long as everyone agrees. Grown-up Elves don’t join these trades, they just stay nearby.
RULES FOR ELVES
1. Explore and play as long as you can see or hear your adult.
If you can’t see or hear them, come back!
2. Want to climb a tree?
First check how you feel. If you’re confident, you can say, “I’m not scared,” or ask, “Can I try?”
3. If something is dangerous, adults speak clearly and seriously.
When that happens, you listen right away!
4. Sticks are awesome, but the magic length is from your shoulder to your fingertips.
That way no one gets hit by accident.
5. We don’t taste pinecones, dirt, or leaves.
Better to smell them, touch them, or ask an adult to help you explore safely.
6. If you feel scared, that’s important!
No one will make you climb higher or jump farther if you’re not ready. Fear is your helper, it says, “Be careful!”
7. You can always ask for help.
An adult can hold a rope, give support, or stay close. But they won’t lift or pull you, you can do so much on your own!
8. If you need help, say it!
And if you’re just tired, the adult can suggest something or stay with you. You choose what you need.
9. Feeling hot or cold? Tell us!
You know your body best. If you’re too warm, you don’t have to wear a hat. We’re learning to understand ourselves.
10. Play is important!
Adults don’t interrupt your discoveries, unless something is dangerous. Exploring the world is one of the most important Elf skills.
11. The Green Rule:
Nature is our home! We pick up litter — ours and others’. We always leave the forest cleaner than we found it.
MAGICAL COMMANDS AND SIGNALS
Stop! Say it loudly and show with your hand when something doesn’t feel right
or someone is crossing your boundaries. Heard “Stop”? Stop immediately!
Behind the backpack! A magical command that means it’s time to walk behind the adult. No one runs ahead! The leader walks in front, and the tail-elf walks last to make sure no one gets left behind.
Being a Forest Elf is amazing! You learn to be strong, attentive, kind, and caring. And most importantly, every day you discover something new about nature and about yourself.
Welcome to the adventure!
And every Elf has magical rules that help everyone explore, play, and stay safe together.
OUR MAGICAL PRINCIPLES
🧚♂️ Your name is magic!
We call each other only by our names, just like wizards in fairy tales! So if someone says, “My name is Sasha,” we call them Sasha, not “little one,” “kitty,” or anything else. Playing silly name-games with friends? Wonderful! Just make sure everyone is having fun.
🙌 No touching without permission!
Every Elf has an invisible bubble — personal space! We don’t push, pull, or shout into someone’s ear. But! If you both agree to play tag or king of the hill, go for it! Just ask first: “Do you want to play?”
🎒 Don’t touch others’ things!
If someone has a cool stick, drawing, or pinecone, we always ask, “Can I see it?” You can also trade, gift, or invent games with things, as long as everyone agrees. Grown-up Elves don’t join these trades, they just stay nearby.
RULES FOR ELVES
1. Explore and play as long as you can see or hear your adult.
If you can’t see or hear them, come back!
2. Want to climb a tree?
First check how you feel. If you’re confident, you can say, “I’m not scared,” or ask, “Can I try?”
3. If something is dangerous, adults speak clearly and seriously.
When that happens, you listen right away!
4. Sticks are awesome, but the magic length is from your shoulder to your fingertips.
That way no one gets hit by accident.
5. We don’t taste pinecones, dirt, or leaves.
Better to smell them, touch them, or ask an adult to help you explore safely.
6. If you feel scared, that’s important!
No one will make you climb higher or jump farther if you’re not ready. Fear is your helper, it says, “Be careful!”
7. You can always ask for help.
An adult can hold a rope, give support, or stay close. But they won’t lift or pull you, you can do so much on your own!
8. If you need help, say it!
And if you’re just tired, the adult can suggest something or stay with you. You choose what you need.
9. Feeling hot or cold? Tell us!
You know your body best. If you’re too warm, you don’t have to wear a hat. We’re learning to understand ourselves.
10. Play is important!
Adults don’t interrupt your discoveries, unless something is dangerous. Exploring the world is one of the most important Elf skills.
11. The Green Rule:
Nature is our home! We pick up litter — ours and others’. We always leave the forest cleaner than we found it.
MAGICAL COMMANDS AND SIGNALS
Stop! Say it loudly and show with your hand when something doesn’t feel right
or someone is crossing your boundaries. Heard “Stop”? Stop immediately!
Behind the backpack! A magical command that means it’s time to walk behind the adult. No one runs ahead! The leader walks in front, and the tail-elf walks last to make sure no one gets left behind.
Being a Forest Elf is amazing! You learn to be strong, attentive, kind, and caring. And most importantly, every day you discover something new about nature and about yourself.
Welcome to the adventure!
