FAQs

  • Participation is open to active TK-12+ California educators, formal or nonformal, as well as preservice teachers, administrators, and program leads. Program funding is provided to enhance environmental literacy within California and only in-state educators are accepted at this time.

  • FIT provides 50 hours of instruction over the course of seven days.  To ensure Continuing Education accreditation, the program is designed to provide participants with a rigorous but rewarding educational experience.  As a residential program, all participants are expected to stay on-site, with days often starting early and ending late.

    • Field trips to off-site, rural field locations; routes sometimes take winding roads

    • Mild/moderate walking on and off established paths and uneven terrain

    • Outdoor instruction in variable environments and inclement weather

    • Limited cell service/internet access (site-dependent)

  • Session sizes range from 25-35 participants due to site capacity, facility limitations, and group class size.

  • On-site accommodations vary from rustic cabins to dorm rooms depending on the session. Participants are asked to stay on-site for the duration of each session, as days start early and often end late. Unfortunately, guests are not permitted to stay on-site or participate in FIT programming. Session Directors monitor weather conditions prior-to and during each FIT session. In the event of hazardous or extreme weather conditions, session directors will communicate with participants regarding any adjustments to the scheduled program. 

  • FIT requires all participants to:

    • Stay in on-site accommodations - As a residential program days often start early and end late.

    • Attend all days of program - Plan your timely arrival and departure accordingly. Scheduling conflicts resulting in inability to attend full program (e.g. day-late arrival, day-early departure) will result in revocation of acceptance without refund or credit issued.

    • Actively engage with planned program activities

    Adherence to these expectations ensures: FIT program completion, curricula training certification, and FIT stipend and CEU eligibility.

  • FIT registration in all-inclusive, covering on-site accommodations, meals and resources. Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from the session site.

    Summer Sessions [7-day program]: $250

    FIT-Focus Sessions [3-day program]: $60

  • ​Returning FIT Graduates are eligible to attend another FIT summer session , but must attend a different session than their original FIT experience!

    Returning with a team of 3+ first-time participants: regular pricing

    Returning solo or with 1-2 others: $950

    If planning to return, contact FIT Program Coordinator (forestryinstitute@gmail.com) to coordinate payment. ​Priority is given to returning participants who have also completed an approved FIT Curriculum Project from their original session.

  • FIT's registration fee is non-refundable. In the event of personal/family emergency, credit towards a future FIT session attendance will be issued.

    Registration fees helps to support programmatic costs, like website maintenance, registration software, and staff support from the California Society of American Foresters.

  • Please contact the FIT Program Coordinator (forestryinstitute@gmail.com) as soon as possible if you plan to withdraw. Due to limited session space, your notification helps the session planning team accommodate as many educators as possible.