Organization
River Gorge Forest School

River Gorge Forest School was born from a shared vision held by three women - Susie Grant, Susanna Dodson, and Lindsey Miller. Each of us saw a pressing need in the Chattanooga area for a different kind of learning environment. Drawing from diverse backgrounds and experiences, we came together around a common belief: that children thrive when they are deeply connected to nature and given the freedom to learn through exploration.

In a time when childhood is increasingly spent indoors and structured learning often prioritizes test scores over curiosity, we recognized the importance of offering something more holistic and grounding. We saw how limited access to unstructured outdoor play and real-world learning opportunities was affecting the well-being, creativity, and resilience of children.

We created River Gorge Forest School during the height of the pandemic and it quickly became a place where children could be immersed in the rhythms of the natural world, where learning is hands-on, inquiry-driven, and rooted in place. Set in the lush and biodiverse landscapes surrounding the Tennessee River Gorge, the school offers a rich, ever-changing outdoor classroom that fosters curiosity, confidence, and a deep respect for the environment.

More than just a school, River Gorge Forest School is a movement toward reclaiming childhood, honoring the wisdom of nature, and nurturing future stewards of the earth. It was founded with the hope that by learning with the land—not just about it—children would grow into empathetic, capable, and grounded individuals ready to meet the world with wonder and care.