You’re in!
Your payment has been received and your student’s spot in Frost & Flame is reserved.
Step 1: Complete the Program Waiver
All participating students must have a signed waiver on file before the first day of the program.
Step 2: Register Additional Children
If you're enrolling a sibling, please use our discounted sibling tuition option.
What Happens Next?
Prior to the program beginning in November, we’ll reach out with more information including:
Your registration confirmation
Program dates and schedule
What to wear and bring
Weather and outdoor learning expectations
Drop-off and pick-up information
FAQs
Any final program updates
Late Fall 2026 Session Info
Thursdays • 12:45–3:15 PM
November 5 - December 17
Over eight weeks, your child will experience a rich blend of nature exploration, hands-on making, storytelling, theatre, gardening, food traditions, and community - all rooted in the changing rhythms of the fall season.
We're looking forward to learning, creating, and growing together.
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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The Frost & Flame session runs for six consecutive weeks, on Thursdays, from 12:45pm to 3:15pm. (No class week of Thanksgiving)
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Our Early Winter session meets Thursdays from 12:45-3:15 PM, beginning November 5 and concluding December 17 (no classes Thanksgiving week).
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No. Frost & Flame is designed specifically to welcome homeschool students and families into the Headwaters community.
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No - students enroll in the complete six-week session and participate in the full weekly program.
The classes, community time, and shared experiences are intentionally designed to work together.
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Consistent attendance is strongly encouraged. The relationships, group projects, and community experience build from week to week. Of course we know life happens!
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Basic materials will generally be included. Some sessions may have an additional supply fee for specialty materials.
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The Early Winter Session is expected to occur entirely at our Aurora campus (14 North May Street, Aurora). We are still awaiting fire safety approval at our long term home, Strom Farm, in northern Kane County, and will operate in Aurora until we can make the permanent move.
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Each session will include a planned combination of learning experiences. Some subjects or projects may continue across several weeks, while others may rotate during the session.
See below for the full program description before registering.
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No. Headwaters is secular and inclusive, honoring diverse families and worldviews while nurturing gratitude, empathy, and environmental stewardship.
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Enrollment will be intentionally limited to preserve the small, personal Headwaters experience.
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Two cohorts: K–3 and grades 4–10. Students may be grouped by age or developmental level for portions of the afternoon, but also participate in large group activities.
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Yes. Connection with the Headwaters learning community is one of the defining features of Frost & Flame. The exact structure may vary depending on the activity and age group.
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Program registration fees are nonrefundable. Fees are used to cover administrative, staff, and material cost for the expected number of participants.
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Frost & Flame is being designed as a drop off student enrichment program.
We understand separation anxiety or other reasons parents may want to stay to ease transitions. We are happy to welcome you to get your child acquainted with our program. Let us know how we can support you.
Frost & Flame:
Six weeks of making, thriving, giving and sharing
Frost & Flame isn't six disconnected afternoons. It's one story.
Over six weeks, children become makers, survivalists, naturalists, givers, and performers.
Each week's experiences build on the last, allowing children to develop new skills, deepen friendships, and experience the quiet beauty of winter together.
Their journey culminates on December 17 with the Winter Market — a family gathering where children become sellers, performers, and storytellers, sharing what they've made, learned, and practiced throughout the session.
Making with Purpose
Every week, children create something beautiful and useful with their hands. Throughout the session, students may:
● Make beeswax hand salve from scratch
● Hand-dip beeswax taper candles
● Felt wool ornaments and small gifts
● Print wrapping paper using natural found materials
● Forage the winter land for centerpiece materials
● Create simple seasonal decorations
● Make useful handmade goods
● Write handwritten notes, cards and small gifts for our community partner, Lurie Children’s NICU
● Prepare selected creations for their Winter Market tables
Outdoor Survival & Winter Nature
Children explore the land in its quietest, most honest season. Throughout the session, students will:
● Study winter survival concepts: layering, warmth, shelter, and reading weather
● Learn fire safety and age-appropriate fire-starting skills
● Track animals through mud, snow, and frost
● Identify signs of winter survival across the property
● Forage what's still findable — seed heads, rosehips, evergreen, pinecones
● Build simple shelters and discuss cold-weather survival
Headwaters Gives Back
Perhaps the most important thread of Frost & Flame isn't something children can carry home.
It's the understanding that what you make with your hands has the power to warm someone else.
From the very first session, children begin building toward a gift. They name a recipient — a family in need, a neighbor, a community organization, or the land itself. They make things with that person or community in mind.
They write notes, wrap gifts in paper they printed by hand, and gather everything into a bundle that holds six weeks of work and care.
The Winter Market
The final afternoon is a celebration of everything the children have created.
Families are invited to join us on December 17 for our Frost & Flame Winter Market.
Children will set up small market tables featuring handmade goods they've created during the session. They'll have the opportunity to practice real-world skills like displaying their work, talking with customers, pricing their creations, and making sales.
Families can shop the children's wares while also enjoying a short seasonal song performance.
We'll celebrate:
● Student-made handmade goods and winter creations
● Children's individual market tables
● The pride of selling something they made themselves
● Headwaters Gives Back projects and community generosity
● A short seasonal song performance
● Six weeks of outdoor exploration, making, and friendship