Summer Camp 2025
Art, Nature, & Play-Based FUN for Children Ages 3-6
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Join us for summer camp! We have too much fun… More info below!
 Hello! We’re honored to welcome your child to The Play Forest Summer Camp, where they can experience simplicity, connection with nature, creativity, joy, and imagination.Â
Session 1 (4 weeks): June 3rd – 26th, 2025
Session 2 (4 weeks): July 8th – 31st, 2025
Tuesday/Wednesday/ThursdayÂ
8:30am – 1:30pm
âDominique came to care for my family when my youngest daughter was 3 months old. I observed the patience with which she cared for my three daughters and I feel that she is an exceptional caregiver to children of all ages. Dominique has an incredible imagination, sense of humor, and provides care that is creative and in tune with each child as an individual. I highly recommend Dominique because of the wholesome environment and creative play she provides and that every child deserves in their lives. My children and I have greatly benefited by having Dominique in our lives and I highly recommend her services.â
– Sandra M.
âDominique is patient, thoughtful, loving, playful, flexible, imaginative⌠we canât imagine our childrenâs lives without her. We love & trust her as if she were part of our family.â
– John & Carrie W.
âDominique cared for our 2 boys for 2+ years in afterschool care. More than anything, she loved and cared for our children in a way that respected their individuality and honored their needs. She is always looking for ways to creatively engage them, help them have fun, learn, and resolve conflict peacefully.â
– Darren B.
About The Play ForestâŚ
⨠Childhood is a magical time. From birth to age 7, young children learn through play, imitation, and repetition. Life is the curriculum! They are taking everything in through their senses and repeating what they learn through different types of play. As adults, our job is to provide nurturing safe spaces, empathy, a simple daily rhythm, and to model behavior worthy of imitation.
Children thrive in relationship to the natural world. Thus, The Play Forest provides a large fenced-in area for kids to play and explore outdoors. Outdoor play takes place in our foresty front yard, with trees, bushes, grass, and garden boxes. We provide balance beams, monkey bars, a big sandbox, and a mud kitchen. Expect their outer layers to be dirty or wet depending on the season. Through this play, children are building social skills, problem-solving, counting, sharing, building small and gross motor skills, and more. Year-round the children will spend much of their time outdoors, regardless of the weather.
Indoor spaces include the living, dining, and kitchen areas in the Fruscella home. Indoor play includes open-ended toys made of natural materials, i.e. dolls, trains, dress-up clothes, baskets of raw materials (cotton, silk, wool, nuts, shells), wood blocks, books, and more. All play items are free-form so that imagination can blossom.Â
We offer stories, songs, and creative experiences. We tell animal stories, nature stories, and simple fairy tales from around the world. These stories convey messages on morality, goodness, and the deep truths of life. Story meets the children in the dream-like state they naturally reside and confirms that this is a good safe world to live in.
Song is a part of our daily rhythm. Each day starts with songs and movement related to the season, and also just for fun. We often use song or music to transition activities. Song gently reminds children of what happens next in our daily rhythm.
Shared mealtime is a favorite part of our home-away-from-home preschool/Kindergarten class. We will all sit together and share the same morning snacks. At lunchtime, children bring their food from home to comfort them. It is a beautiful time of the day in which the children rest and are nourished physically together ~ by candlelight no less!
I prepare organic vegetarian snacks and include the children in age-appropriate slicing of fruit, setting the table, and cleaning up. I will happily accommodate childrenâs dietary restrictions or preferences. Menu schedule below.
Our artistic explorations include watercolor painting, molding beeswax or clay, and drawing. These creations are made with high-quality paints, papers, waxes, and crayons. Additionally, we make nature crafts, garden, and bake bread weekly.
The Family & The Property
The Fruscella Family consists of Gaetano (48), Dominique (45), Lieto (14), and Cyprian (12). We call our foresty 3.5-acre property âKrishnaâs Cottage.â
Located in downtown La Crosse, we have a wood-frame house, a large open-air barn, 50 acres of preserve behind us even with natural clay deposits, 3 outdoor pet cats (Torpedo, Scratchy Paddy, and Strong Muscles), and a vegan uromastyx lizard (Kiwi)âŚÂ
Gaetano is an artist, nature enthusiast, and a handyman. He is officially and legally The Play Forestâs âsubstituteâ and is present during summer camps. We understand fully that parents would want to meet him and ask questions – we would do the same.
Lieto and Cyprian are kind kids who will visit the summer camp sometimes!Â
About DominiqueâŚ
I have spent the past 25+ years in service to children and parents – as a nanny, volunteer, home daycare provider, summer camp facilitator, mom, home educator, author, and parenting coach.Â
When I was 20 years old, I quit my restaurant job in search of something more meaningful. I found an ad inviting someone to âplay in creeks and find caterpillarsâ. I was very intrigued, went for the interview, and found myself taking care of 2 boys ages 4 and 8. That experience lit a flame in my heart – my love for kids. They are authentic, curious, and fun – many things that adults lose along the way. I was in heaven being a nanny/babysitter.
From there I added more babysitting jobs, developed a distaste for my college pursuits, dropped out, let go of the scholarship, sold everything, fundraised, and sent myself to Tanzania to volunteer with street children for a year. That was beautiful, but also heartbreaking once I learned Swahili and listened to all the kidsâ life storiesâŚÂ
I returned to the States and to my service with children. Eventually, I started combining care for kids and opened a home daycare as I started my own family.
By the time I had my 2nd child, I felt full with a newborn and a toddler at home, so I decided to âjustâ be a stay-at-home mom. This eventually grew into homeschooling. As a mother I started blogging, hosting summer camps, and coaching parents. I wrote a book about surrender in parenting⌠I still offer life coaching for parents and Iâm currently in a Playful Parenting Leader Certification training.
Lately, my kids decided to try out school-school, and my part-time work online felt misaligned. My husband asked me in February 2024 – hey, do you want to start working with children again? And I was like, âYES!â Within 24 hours, I started prepping to open The Play Forest.
I love being myself, hanging out with kids, and being of service in a simple, yet meaningful and beautiful way. Thank you for the opportunity đ
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Summer Daily RhythmâŚ
Our rhythm is not a strict schedule. Thereâs room for spontaneity and flexibility. I will gently guide us through the day balancing inward/rest/reflection times with outward/energetic/expressive times. Hereâs an example of a typical day:
Arrive & Play Outside
Morning Circle & Snack (~9:30/10am)
Play Inside
Art/Activity
Water Play Outside
Lunch (12:30pm)
Clean Up
Story Time or Craftmaking
Snacks & ActivitiesâŚ
Here is a sample of morning snack and activity plans! (subject to change)
Tuesdays: Painting + Fruit Salad
Wednesdays: Modeling (beeswax or clay) + Rice/Vegetables
Thursdays: Baking (bread, muffins, cookies) + Popsicles
Additional projects/activities include: gardening, seasonal/nature crafts, building things in the garden, etc!
Summer Camp 2025 DETAILSâŚ
The Play Forest invites children ages 3-6 *plus summer camp alumni kids!* to a half-day program.
There are TWO 4-week summer camp sessions:
Session 1: June 3rd – 26th, 2025
Session 2: July 8th – 31st, 2025
Tuesday/Wednesday/ThursdayÂ
8:30am – 1:30pm
Price Per Session: $530
This price includes freshly made organic vegetarian snacks and the materials fee.
Deposit: $50 to hold your child’s spot(s), and it goes toward’s cost
Sibling Discount: 15% off tuition for each additional child
Is The Play Forest Summer Camp a match for your family?
The Play Forest might be a match for your family if youâre looking for:
- A part-time place for your child to have fun and grow in community
- A holistic nature and play-based environment
- Experienced caregivers who can balance empathy, a playful spirit, and a warm, kind, strength in guiding children in morals and goodness
Letâs Chat!
NEXT STEPS:
âď¸ Let’s chat on the phone⌠352-647-7517
đ Then meet in personâŚ
đ If it’s a fit: register + pay your deposit!
Please call or text Dominique at 352-647-7517 or email dominiquefruscella@gmail.com to discuss more.
FAQâŚ
Does my child need to be potty-trained to attend The Play Forest Summer Camp?
Yes. Of course, I can help children with accidents (kindly and with care), but they should be potty-trained before joining us.
Do you have CPR/First Aid training?
Yes! I, Dominique, am CPR and First-Aid certified with the National CPR Foundation.
Is this preschool legally operated?
Yes! Dominique is registered with the Department of Children and Families to operate a home preschool. Additionally, all household members in our home have been appropriately screened and Gaetano went through the substitute training required by DCF. DCF Registered Home Daycare ID# R08AL0036
What are the philosophy and principles behind your approach to caring for children?
Our core principle is respect. Respect for who each individual is, respectful kind behavior, respect for Mother Earth, respect for all living creatures. From that foundation of sacred space ~ we can explore, learn, and play
Children at The Play Forest experience simple living principles, such as gardening, cooking, and cleaning. We are influenced by Waldorf education – which means bringing rhythm, the arts, natural materials, and developmentally appropriate activities + stories. We invite childrenâs emotions when they come and listen with empathy.
The essence is to create a safe place for children to be where theyâre at physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually ~ so they feel received and encouraged as they grow.
Aligned with Life Ways Principles. Learn more about LifeWays here.
Is there a spiritual element to The Play Forest?
This is a non-sectarian preschool/Kindergarten program that does give simple thanks to God at lunchtime. No spiritual philosophy is discussed with the children, though I will support each childâs feelings/approach to spirituality by listening to them. All spiritual references (stories/songs/festivals/books) can be experienced as multi-cultural, no indoctrination here!
Can I bring food for my child that they like to eat?
Yes! At the same time, I am happy to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences for our morning snacks. Food from home is welcome, though! Please do not bring desserts.
Can I send meat in my childâs lunch?
Our home is strictly vegetarian. Please do not bring meat, fish, or eggs. Thank you so much.
How will my young child feel comfortable using the bathroom there?
Please be assured that we will have options to accommodate your child. We have a flip-down toilet seat for small kids, stools, and a kiddie potty on the ground. Let us know what your child needs. I can assist them with the utmost respect and dignity.
Can I stay with my child until they are comfortable being at The Play Forest without a parent?
Yes, you are welcome to stay. A transition period makes sense for many families. I suggest we not have adult conversations during school time, but please feel welcome to stay, observe, and create a comfortable transition for your child. If we sense there is a lot of fear for your child, I can help with ideas and coaching parent and child to overcome fear of separation. I like Hand in Hand Parenting playful approach to overcoming separation anxiety. And, if we determine your child is not happy or ready to be dropped off, we can reevaluate if the program is right for you.
Can you accommodate my child with a special need?
To do this service well, I will need the cooperation of the children, and to balance the ages, abilities, and personalities of the group. If your child needs extra care and attention, I might not be able to help them. Letâs discuss what youâre looking for.
How does it work with your husband Gaetano assisting?
Gaetano will help with cooking, cleaning, and supervision. I am the only caregiver who helps children with bathroom needs or changing clothes.
We understand completely that there could be hesitancy to trust a man in childcare and we fully support you to meet Gaetano, ask questions, and speak to community members. Here are a few testimonials about our services together with children.
âDominique and Gaetano are two of very few people I entirely trust, and feel completely comfortable with the environment they provide for my child. I am constantly impressed with their ability to meet children at their level, to provide for their physical, mental and emotional needs. They are immensely loving and patient and practice positive discipline (healthy, mindful communication and guidance) and wholesome ways of interacting with the world and the children they care for. I couldnât recommend any better (or equal) facility/space, or providers for a childâs care.â
–Â Zoma D.
âDom and Guy are wonderful with kids. They put the children first in every situation. When my son became the oldest child in their care, they made every effort to provide him with as much fun and opportunities to enjoy himself as the younger ones. They really try to tailor their care to each childâs needs and desires. They make you feel very relaxed and comfortable about leaving your precious ones with them!â
–Â Amy R.
âI have been so grateful to have Dominique as a presence in my sonâs life. She has provided childcare for him off and on for several years (when he was 4-9 years old), and, no matter his age or the age of the other children I have seen in her care, Dominique has always brought the highest caliber of attention, love, presence, and understanding to her interactions with children. She is able to connect with them at their level while maintaining the integrity of her role as responsible caregiver. Her and Guyâs philosophies about food, healthy environment, play, and conflict resolution give me absolute confidence in placing my child in their care, and recommending their services to other parents.â
– Samara P.
What are The Play Forestâs policies regarding illness, absences, discipline, late pickup, etc?
Here are all my policies. đ And TPF discipline policy.
Letâs Chat!
NEXT STEPS:
âď¸ Let’s chat on the phoneâŚ
đ Then meet in personâŚ
đ If it’s a fit: register + pay your deposit!
Please call or text Dominique at 352-647-7517 or email dominiquefruscella@gmail.com to discuss more.
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