Big Sur Forest School is a community centered outdoor educational experience that honors the development of the whole child through child directed and inquiry inspired learning to foster relational awareness, responsibility, compassion, resourcefulness, and independence in connection with the self, others and the natural world. The organization was created by community desire to support local families.
The Big Sur Park School is a child’s place of exploration and inquiry, to build awareness of self-and others, with a strong connection to the natural world. Through an emergent curriculum, a student-centered learning approach and an outdoor classroom, Big Sur Park School offers the only early childcare (under 3 years of age) along the coast, offering a progressive educational alternative to the Big Sur community to build a healthy foundation for children’s learning and development. Teachers honor each child's unique way in the world and facilitate expressive, creative, and stewardship activities while modeling clear communication to support social and emotional development for building relational skills. The BSPS has become a pillar of the local community, supporting the next generation in becoming capable and compassionate environmental stewards for our world.
As a former parent and current board member, I have witnessed the importance of outdoor education in our increasingly digital world and am excited to see Big Sur Park School continue to grow and benefit our community's children and working families. This invaluable program provides the only preschool curriculum for the Big Sur community. Our daughter thrived at Big Sur Park School during her earliest developmental years in the program. Much like the natural forces on the Big Sur landscape, the nature based approach and model challenged and nurtured her innate curiosity, fostering independence, resilience, and confidence.
- Jennifer Lape
