Big Bear Forest School promotes respect for oneself, for others, and for the environment. Children are encouraged to develop confidence, resilience, independence, and a sense of responsibility through hands-on, experiential learning.
OUR GALLERY
Big Bear Forest School is a nature-based learning community where children grow, explore, and thrive through meaningful experiences outdoors. Rooted in respect for childhood, the natural world, and the unique strengths of every child, our program invites curiosity, confidence, and connection to flourish in the forest.
We believe children learn best through hands-on exploration and play. At Big Bear Forest School, the woods become our classroom—logs turn into balance beams, sticks become tools for creativity, and every season offers new lessons. Guided by experienced educators, children are encouraged to take age-appropriate risks, solve problems collaboratively, and develop resilience through real-world experiences.
Our approach supports the whole child—socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. By spending extended time outdoors, children build strong bodies, focused minds, and a deep sense of belonging with each other and the land around them. We emphasize kindness, cooperation, and stewardship, helping children form respectful relationships with nature and their community.
At Big Bear Forest School, we are more than a program—we are a community of learners, families, and educators who believe that childhood should be wild, joyful, and grounded in nature. We are proud to nurture confident, compassionate children who feel at home in the forest and carry that sense of wonder with them wherever they go.
We believe the natural world is a powerful and capable teacher. Through daily immersion in the forest, children learn curiosity, respect, and a lifelong connection to the land.
Children are competent, capable, and full of potential. We honour their interests, ideas, and pace of development by supporting play-based, self-directed learning.
We nurture social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. Risk-taking, movement, creativity, and reflection are all essential parts of learning.
Strong relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We foster a culture of kindness, cooperation, and inclusion where every child and family feels valued.
By embracing challenges and the changing elements, children develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and confidence in themselves and their abilities.
We teach respect for nature through care, observation, and gentle use of the environment, helping children understand their role as caretakers of the earth.
Childhood should be joyful. We celebrate wonder, imagination, and the simple magic of being outdoors in all seasons.
Big Bear Forest School promotes respect for oneself, for others, and for the environment. Children are encouraged to develop confidence, resilience, independence, and a sense of responsibility through hands-on, experiential learning.