Your Outdoor Classroom!
The National Forest Association is committed to providing quality environmental education experiences at two outdoor environments: the Big Bear Discovery Center and the National Children’s Forest in Running Springs.
Programs are designed to meet California state standards and create a solid foundation in forest ecological principals and environmental stewardship. Students will learn to appreciate the natural world through exploration and thought-provoking activities.
The National Forest Association offers five different environmental education programs, which are listed below:FOREST EXPLORER- OUR NEWEST
PROGRAM!
The Forest Explorer
is an interactive, self-contained, museum quality exhibit that is designed to
bring the forest experience to your school! The Forest Explorer is truly your
mobile forest experience that brings educational forest health and fire safety
messages to your school in a fun and engaging way. Through hands-on activities,
students will explore what you can do in the forest, how fire plays a vital role
in the forest ecosystem and learn about our many forest neighbors all in one
place. Learn more about how your class can experience the forest - without leaving the
school!*
Grades: 1st-4th
Length: 2- 3
Hours
Students:60
Maximum
WINTER SNOWSHOE
HIKE
While
exploring our Southern California mountains on snowshoes, students will discover how plants, humans and
animals adapt to the winter environment. Through demonstrations, observation
and independent discovery, students will learn about the water cycle, snowpack,
local watershed and human impacts on these systems at the local and regional
level.
Grades 5th -12th
Length: 2- 3 Hours
Students: 30 Maximum **additional $50 per
class
INVESTIGATING ECOSYSTEMS
Students
engage in observation, activities and discussion about local wildlife, food
chains, habitat components and adaptations. Through activities, students gain
an appreciation for the complexity and diversity of the natural environment.
Students will gain a greater understanding of environmental stewardship and the
importance of preserving and protecting public
lands.
Grades: 3rd-12th
Length: 1
- 3 hours
Students: 60 Maximum
JUNIOR FOREST RANGER
Students
journey through a series of three activities where they will have hands-on
opportunities to learn skills that will excite them about their local mountains while
completing the Junior Forest Ranger workbook. Students will
learn basic principles of fire ecology, learn the different parts of a compass,
complete an orienteering course, and explore the natural world using their many
senses to improve their observation skills. This program provides continued
learning through workbook activities that motivate children to explore and
embrace their responsibility to the natural world.
Grades: 3rd - 6th
Length: 3
hours
Students: 60 Maximum
ON THE RIGHT TRAIL
Lessons revolve
around activities with which students may be familiar: hiking, horseback riding,
off-highway vehicle use, and more. This curriculum was developed in conjunction
with Tread Lightly! and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council.
This program teaches land ethics, stewardship, safety and environmental
awareness and can be taught in full or segmented into desired chapters. No fee is
charged for this program. Program can be conducted in the field or
classroom.
Grades: 3rd - 7th
Length: 1 hour per chapter, up to 9 chapters total
Students: 30
Maximum
Fee Information
Program Fees are based on length of program.
Fee Schedule:
3 hours: $200 for
every 30 students; Additional Students $7 each
2 hours: $150 for every 30
students; Additional Students $5 each
1 hour: $75 for every 30 students;
Additional Students $2.50 each
*Forest Explorer price varies. Contact Forest
Care for pricing.
**Snowshoeing - $50 extra/class
DATES: Field trips are offered 5 days a week, year round. Please call a month in advance for reservations.
LOGISTICS: Teachers must ensure that participants are prepared for the trip and arrange transportation and chaperones.
INFORMATION FOLDER: All registered groups will receive a complete information folder, which includes maps, a list of recommended clothing and preparation guidelines.
WEATHER AND CANCELLATIONS: Groups may reschedule trips due to bad weather. Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance. Cancellations due to weather will be rescheduled at no extra fee. Other cancellations less than 24 hours in advance will result in full charge.
PAYMENT: Invoice will be sent in information folder once reservation is confirmed. Payment needs to be received two weeks before program date.For details and reservations, please contact:
Meredith Brandon
mbrandon@nationalforestassociation.org
(909) 382-2842
Big Bear Discovery Center
PO Box
66
Fawnskin, CA 92333