Bear Creek Explorers
A group of six adventurous youth immerse weekly, all day, in nature at the Bear Creek Wilderness, a private family forest. At its heart, this program creates a container for deep connection with nature and peers, while providing opportunities for personal growth and exploration.
Learning content will be a mixture of wilderness skills, scientific exploration and nature crafts. Wilderness skills include fire making, knife skills, shelter building, tarps and knots, plant identification, navigation, and archery among others. Students will also learn field research skills, forest management, participate in climate monitoring and citizen science projects, practice data collection and analysis, and conduct their own research using a variety of scientific equipment. We also may experiment with natural pigments and clay, learn basic weaving and cordage, practice greenwood carving and nature journaling.
Bear Creek Explorers is a mixed-age program, ideal for 10-13 year old students. Age and grade are less important than interest, temperament, and developmental phase.
Because this program involves using sensitive scientific equipment and potentially dangerous tools, it is important that youth can listen, follow directions, be self-directed, and behave appropriately in a variety of situations.
Transportation is provided from a central location in Eugene starting at 9:00am and returning to the drop-off location at 4:00pm. Students will need to bring their own lunch, snacks, water bottles and appropriate clothing for the weather. The cost for the program is $60/day billed twice per year at the start of each semester. If accepted to the program, there is also a $50 one time deposit and materials fee to hold your spot. We are an approved vendor for Teach Northwest and Fossil, and would be happy to explore becoming a vendor for other charter programs.
BCE runs from late September (or early October) through June with breaks aligned with the local school calendar.
There is something truly incredible about watching what happens to young people when they spend sustained time together outside, rain or shine, week after week, experiencing the seasons changing and developing an innate personal connection with place.
If you think this program may be a good fit for your youth, please reach out with any questions and to arrange a visit to our forest.
Testimonials
The biggest thing the Bear Creek Explorers experience has given me is a safe space to find and hone into my connection with nature. Bear Creek is a separate universe away from the busy bustle of the world. This separation allowed me to tune into myself, truly connect to the earth, and find confidence in a previously uncomfortable environment. The Bear Creek Explorers experience has not only given me the skills to survive in the wilderness, but to see the forest as another home. A home that fuels a love for exploration, creativity, imagination and most of all a love for the forest and the creatures within it.
-Gabriel
My favorite part of BCE was time with friends out in nature. I did it for about four years and I loved it so much. I learned to make a fire and a tarp shelter and a lot more skills that will help me throughout my life. We did a lot of fun science projects and learned about plants and trees and animals. I looked forward to every Wednesday to come out to BCE. Through this land, I made a strong connection to nature. This is something every kid should do!
-Ani
Bear Creek Explorers has been the heart of our homeschool experience. We will forever be connected to nature in a deep way and hold fond memories of our time sharing the outdoors with our friends. I’m filled with gratitude knowing my kids and I will have these shared memories and a fondness of nature, to carry with us for years to come.
-Cristen
For me, Bear Creek Explorers has been an invaluable experience. I’ve been able to learn important and fascinating things about nature and wildlife I may never have known. Even apart from the educational aspect of BCE I’ve learned to love the land and the wildlife it contains. I’ve learned to love nature in all of her many shapes and forms, and to see the beauty of every form of life. BCE has shaped and molded me in ways I cherish deeply, and I can’t suggest it enough. My time here is something I hope I never forget.
-Fen
My favorite thing about BCE is that it provides a total separation from my everyday life. I feel free to just be in the moment and take in all the wonders of nature while being together with others sharing the same experience. We do many activities, but nothing is rushed or pressured with a need for a definite outcome. We learn new things (about nature, science, outdoor skills) but is from a framework and attitude of joyful curiosity. The outdoor setting and the time for reflection provide a sense of calm and gratitude. There is a strong sense of fellowship as the BCEs build things together, eat together, share stories and experiences and explore the environment together. Finally, it just feels good to walk in the cool forest and sit in the sunny meadow.
-Barbara
