French in the Forest™ — Le Français dans la Forêt

A gentle meeting place between language, land, and community

 

​

French in the Forest™ is a six‑week outdoor French immersion series hosted at Audubon Acres, part of the Chattanooga Audubon Society. Rooted in nature‑based mindfulness and cultural storytelling, the program's starting edition invites learners ages 8–18 (younger children welcome with a chaperone) into a quiet, embodied experience where French language and the forest meet.

Created by filmmaker, author, artist, cultural storyteller, and National Civic Poet N’nako Kandé, French in the Forest™ continues the broader Silent Hour™ ecosystem — blending language learning, art grounding tools, ancestral awareness, and environmental connection.

Participants become Les Gardien·nes du Bois — Guardians of the Woods — a ceremonial identity honoring stewardship, curiosity, and creativity.

« La forêt nous garde, gardons‑la aussi. » — N’nako Kandé

​

Program Update — New Schedule

The upcoming session beginning Tuesday, November 3rd is held in partnership with Audubon Acres and will run through most of December.

Because many students are out of school during this period, non‑homeschoolers are welcome to attend.

Audubon Acres remains our primary forest home, yet additional locations may be considered or added as French in the Forest™ continues to grow and meet community needs.

What Each Session Includes

• Forest walks

• Nature observation

• Drawing and coloring

• Art grounding tools

• Cultural storytelling

• Gentle, mindful engagement with the land

• Breathwork inspired by the Silent Hour ™ app and practice. dRead more HERE

French in the Forest™ is fully customizable for families, schools, co‑ops, museums, nature centers, and organizations wishing to curate custom editions.

 

 

 

 

A Community‑Rooted Program

French in the Forest™ is held in partnership with the Chattanooga Audubon Society, which manages enrollment, scheduling, and onsite logistics for the Homeschooling Editions.

Inquiries for other editions, private sessions, or alternate locations can be made directly by contacting: kandennako@gmail.com

​

With French in the Forest™ entering a new season, we welcome the support of the community. Those who wish to help the program grow in a way that strengthens its cultural, educational, and environmental impact can assist through two of our pressure=free pathways: shopping from our registry or sponsoring our goûter

​

 French in the Forest™ Community Registry

​

Offerings that help sustain the forest classroom

Our registry has been created to reflect the items that most directly support the participants' learning experience and the gentle rhythm of our forest classroom. Nothing is required; everything is optional. Each offering helps us welcome our forest learners with care and keep the program accessible.

Examples of current registry offerings include:

• Green folders for organizing worksheets and journals

• Clipboards for outdoor writing and drawing

• Nature‑themed notebooks for observation and reflection

• Forest and wildlife sticker sets for creative projects and ceremonial badges

• France‑themed sticker packs for cultural learning and labeling materials

• A dispenser for warm drinks during colder sessions

• Weather‑friendly supplies for fall and winter editions

Each item is a way to bless the space, honor the land, and support the participants— without ever needing to ask for money directly.

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsor a Goûter — Snack Time in the Forest

In French culture, le goûter is the beloved afternoon snack — a small moment of sweetness and pause.

You can sponsor:

• A (Tuesday) goûter for the group 

• Fresh fruits

• croissants or simple cookies

• Juice or mineral water

• A week of snack supplies

​

​

This is one of the most tender ways to support the program: nourishing our forest guardians as they learn, explore, and create.

​

Why Your Support Matters

French in the Forest™ is intentionally small, gentle, and community‑rooted. Every offering — whether a box of folders, a pack of stickers, or a sponsored goûter — helps sustain a space where our future Gardien.nes du Bois, meet language through land, creativity, and stewardship.

Your support and generosity keep the program accessible, ceremonial, and grounded in care.

​

 

Join Us in Growing This Forest Classroom

​

If you feel called to support, explore the Community Registry or sponsor a Goûter. If you wish to curate a custom edition for your school, organization, or community group, reach out anytime.

Program Inquiries:

kandennako@gmail.com

Audubon Acres Event Portal (for registration)