Purpose: he purpose of this study is to conduct a basic research to develop an elementary school after school
forest activity program, furthermore provide contents for a new after school program, and activate forest
childhood education. Results & Conclusion: In investigating the awareness and needs of parents, the results
showed that 54.4% had 'heard of forest activity program', and 89.3% responded that it is 'needed'. When
investigating by background variables, there was no significant difference according to parents' education.
However parents of students in grades 1 & 2 had the highest ratio of parents that had heard about forest
activity program. Next, in identifying the detailed requirements of the after school forest activity program, '2
hours' was considered as most favorable duration for activities in one day (48.2%), class configuration of 'lower,
upper grades' (36.9%), preference of 'forest commentator' (50.6%) as leading teacher, for the role of teacher
'safety manager' (46.4%), and 'Observations based navigation in accordance with the interests of the child'
(38.0%) as educational method. Like such, all considerations and concerns were associated with safety. Parents
that participated in the interview saw forest activity program becoming 'education that makes today happy', and
'education that prepares for the future', and showed their positive expectations.