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 first 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 — a movement that blends 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

Each session integrates:

• Forest walks

• Nature observation

• Drawing and coloring

• Art grounding tools

• Cultural storytelling

• Gentle, mindful engagement with the land

The October 2026 Homeschool Youth Edition on October 7, 2026, and the program remains fully adaptable 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 or private sessions 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

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 French in the Forest™ Community Registry

Offerings that help sustain the forest classroom

This registry is a list of small, meaningful items that directly support the children’s learning experience. Nothing is required; everything is optional. These offerings help us welcome our forest learners with care and keep the program accessible.

Examples of registry offerings:​

• Clipboards and nature journals

• Art supplies (chalk pastels, colored pencils, crayons)

• Hand wipes, tissues, sunscreen, bug spray

• French storybooks for our Forest Library

• Printing support for worksheets

• Weather‑friendly supplies for fall and winter sessions

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 Thursday 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.

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Why Your Support Matters

French in the Forest™ is intentionally small, gentle, and community‑rooted. Every offering — whether a box of folders, a box of crayons, 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.

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Join Us in Growing This Forest Classroom

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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)