SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Zoning Commission is projected to decide on a conditional use permit for a nature-based private school in Sandpoint at its April 9 zoning commission hearing. 

The proposed use sits on 15 acres in Red Cedar Lane in the greater Sandpoint area and is zoned Ag/Forest 20.  

According to a conditional use permit application, the proposal would include a small, nature-based outdoor education program for homeschool students. Applicants will host the program two days a week for about 24 weeks per year during fall and spring seasonal sessions. The application also indicates that the program is already underway, but doesn’t specify how long it has been in operation. 

The program, known as Earth Keepers, is said to run on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., where Thursdays are reserved for middle and high school students, and Fridays are reserved for elementary students.  

Summer programs are also said to have occurred, including elementary-aged summer camps and teen girl camps.  

According to its website, Earth Keepers was created to support homeschooled families in their outdoor-based learning experiences, offering hands-on activities and observations.  

Each session has a capacity of up to 24 students in its outdoor classroom, with applicants noting that three to seven adult supervisors/volunteers are on-site during each program session.  

At the time of publishing, the school facility CUP is the only file slated to be heard during Thursday’s zoning commission hearing.