Forest Collective

Before the village there was the forest!

Many caregivers today are doing the work of an entire village on their own. Raising children. Working, in and out of the home. Holding the rhythm of the home. Trying to stay connected to community while also caring for their own well-being. This is so much for one or two people.

The Forest Collective was created to help rebuild that village.

This is a gathering of families who come together to create a community where both children and caregivers can grow. Children benefit from meaningful friendships and a community where they are known and valued. Caregivers gain companionship, shared wisdom, and the relief of knowing they are not carrying the journey of parenting alone.

This is not simply a program. It is a living community built on reciprocity, care, and connection.

Home Pods

At the heart of this community are the home pods, small groups of 7 to 8 adults and their children who meet regularly to build strong, meaningful connections.

Different pods are formed to support mothers in similar life rhythms. Some pods are created for pregnant women whose due dates fall within four to six months of one another, allowing mothers to move through pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum together. Other pods bring together working mothers or stay-at-home mothers, creating space for women navigating similar daily experiences and challenges.

Each pod begins with an eight-week group coaching commitment guided by Amy Rupp, coordinator of the Forest Collective. During this time, mothers move through a shared framework inspired by the Mama Rising approach, exploring the identity shifts of motherhood while intentionally building a supportive community.

By showing up each week, mothers begin to form a foundation of trust, connection, and support that continues beyond the structured program.

Nine-Week Framework for Mothers

  • Motherhood can bring an inner critic—the “Mean Mama”—and feelings of guilt or not being enough. This week, mothers explore matrescence, the developmental transition into motherhood, and reflect on personal experiences and research around this shift. Guided by Mama Rising, mothers practice self-kindness, develop compassion for their evolving roles, and begin releasing judgment, setting the tone for thriving in motherhood.

  • Mothers are often under constant pressure, yet may not recognize the resilience and wisdom they already carry. This week, mothers explore their personal strengths, acknowledge the skills they’ve developed through parenting, and see how their gifts contribute to both family and pod. Mama Rising frameworks guide mothers to honor their inner power and integrate confidence into daily life.

  • Motherhood invites imperfection and unpredictability. This week focuses on cultivating self-compassion, flexibility, and patience, helping mothers embrace the challenges of parenting with presence and calm. Mama Rising insights support mothers in letting go of unrealistic expectations and finding space for joy and acceptance.

  • Clarity in personal and family values provides direction and purpose. This week, mothers identify their core values and explore how these shape their parenting, relationships, and personal growth. Mama Rising frameworks help mothers connect these values to their evolving identity, supporting intentional and empowered choices.

  • Mothers begin to consider how their individual growth connects to others. This week focuses on recognizing the impact of personal identity, boundaries, and strengths in forming healthy community connections. Mama Rising concepts help mothers understand how individual growth strengthens the collective.

  • Mothers learn to share responsibility, support one another, and co-create solutions that work for their pod. Topics include practical strategies for offering and receiving help, balancing contributions, and cultivating shared leadership so that each member feels empowered. Mama Rising concepts emphasize how collaboration strengthens both individual and group resilience.

  • The final week is focused on structuring the pod to fit the needs of its members and planning for long-term sustainability. Mothers explore rituals, rhythms, and shared agreements to maintain a thriving, connected group. Mama Rising insights support mothers in translating personal growth into a collaborative, supportive, and enduring community.

  • This week is a joyful celebration of what has been created together, exploring the beauty of sisterhood, matrescence, and the heroic journey of motherhood. Mothers reflect on their growth, honor the journey of each member, and celebrate the collective strength and connection of the pod. Rather than closure, this week emphasizes continuing relationships, shared support, and the ongoing evolution of the pod, providing a meaningful experience that anchors the pod’s ongoing life and connection.

The Forest

The Forest Collective: A Community for Growth, Connection, and Belonging

The Forest is a living, growing community where people of all ages and stages can connect, learn, and support one another. While our current focus is on mothers and their children, the Forest is designed to eventually include fathers, young adults, elders, and families of all kinds, creating a vibrant, multi-generational ecosystem of care, mentorship, and shared experiences.

Within the Forest, members can join Home Pods, workshops, storytelling events, Joy Club meetups, and seasonal gatherings, building meaningful relationships, exchanging knowledge, and celebrating the joys and challenges of life together. The Forest is a place where connection, personal growth, and fun meet, fostering a sense of belonging for everyone who participates.

  • The Forest is a place where mothers and soon all caregivers and community members can build meaningful friendships and supportive relationships. Members connect with like-minded people, share experiences, and find understanding from those who truly get the joys and challenges of parenting and life. Opportunities for connection beyond your pod include mentorships, advice sharing, and relationships across different stages of life, both through our online Mighty Network (finally a space off Facebook) and Forest wide gatherings designed to support thriving as a parent, individual, and community member.

  • Members have access to a variety of opportunities for reflection, skill building, and personal development. This includes collaborative discussions on parenting, wellness, and self care, as well as monthly Women’s Circles, group coaching, storytelling events, and workshops led by a variety of facilitators and coaches. Intergenerational mentorship opportunities allow members to both receive guidance and share wisdom across generations, supporting growth for parents, young adults, and elders alike. The Forest encourages members to prioritize balance, mindfulness, and intentional personal growth, all while building a stronger, more resilient community.

  • The Forest is a place to celebrate, play, and recharge. Mothers can join Mom’s Nights Out for casual, rejuvenating social experiences, while children can connect through kid friendly meetups. Families can participate in whole family gatherings, coming together to learn, play, and grow alongside one another. Seasonal celebrations including lantern walks, advent spirals, pumpkin patch visits, Valentine’s teas, May Day festivities, and family camping trips bring the entire Forest together to honor milestones, create memories, and nurture the joy of community. As the Forest grows, these events will welcome all caregivers and community members, creating space for shared experiences across generations.

Community in Action

But what does that actually look like?

It’s a soup-making exchange when life feels too full to cook, meetups at the museum to learn and explore together, ladies' nights out to recharge, coffee meetups for deep conversations, skiing with friends to move our bodies and breathe in the fresh air, community art projects for kids that spark creativity, day retreats for women to rest and reflect, and an ongoing WhatsApp thread where we ask for help, offer support, and share life’s ups and downs.

It’s about showing up for one another, not just in the big moments, but in the everyday ones.

If you’re craving deeper connection and a true village, this is for you.

History Behind the Collective


The inspiration for starting this collective came from Amy’s early experience founding the original Nature Song Forest group during her daughter’s early childhood. For three years, the group met weekly in the woods, fostering deep friendships and meaningful memories that shaped her parenting journey. After the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amy recognized the need to help mothers reconnect and build support networks. Rooted in Nature Song’s values of interconnection and mutual support, pods became spaces where families could thrive, creating the same sense of community and belonging she had cherished years before.

Learn More

Step One:
Reach out to Amy using the form below to express your interest in joining a pod. In March and August, Amy will invite those on the Interest List to an informal meetup at a local park to learn more about Forest Collective and decide if you’d like to join a pod. The group will agree on a regular time and day for weekly meetups.

Step Two:
Amy will meet with each pod for six weeks at local woodland parks in Anchorage. Caregivers will also join the Nature Song Mighty Network, a space for intentional online connection, replacing social media.

Step Three:
After the six weeks, the pod will run on its own, participating in whole Forest gatherings and creating new pods based on shared interests. As part of the Forest Collective, you’ll have access to a supportive network of caregivers, opportunities for deeper connection through community events, and the ability to collaborate on new initiatives. You'll also enjoy exclusive access to the Nature Song Mighty Network for ongoing communication, a space for intentional online connection, and a chance to be part of a thriving, intergenerational community that values mutual aid and collective growth.

Learn More:

Fill out the form below to express your interest. It’s just for recording your interest and connecting you with others eager to join a pod!

Learn more