I recently launched a project I’ve been working on for many years, Bandana Bear! I have two items available, a limited edition set with a Bandana Bear stuffy, a game, and a book, and a separate calendar:

Your companion for adventure, Bandana Bear!

https://www.teachoutside.org/bandana-bear

Limited Edition Set of 26

“Signed and numbered” by Bandana Bear! Includes:

Bandana Bear
-Bandana Bear is the perfect size for cuddling, and their floppy nature allows them to fit perfectly into any backpack or bag. They love nestling in arms and laps!
-Organic cotton, herbal dyed, natural stuffing, and hand sewn and stuffed, each unique bear has been made with love by humans in underserved communities by Bears for Humanity.
-Bandana Bear’s 100% cotton bandana was made and tied by my friend Jessica. It’s the perfect size for them and other dolls, and retying it is a great exercise for fingers and creativity.

Game
-Based on actual adventures we’ve had at Outside School, the Bandana Bear Game incorporates action, mindfulness, and more! Game board is a 100% cotton bandana that’s been designed and printed by my husband, Strephon.
-100% cotton game piece bag.
-Vintage die (may differ from photo).
-Six game pieces by Safari Ltd®. Every set includes one miniature Bandana Bear (sporting a very tiny bandana also created by my friend, Jessica), with other animals that can be found in the East Bay, representing multiple niches. (Due to my licensing agreement, international orders contain a set of six vintage game pawns instead of the tiny animals.)

Book
Bandana Bear’s Adventures in the East Bay Hills: A “make my own decisions” book based on real adventures at Outside School!
By Heather B. Taylor

Due to tiny pieces this set is not suitable for children under three years of age, or anyone prone to putting small objects in their mouths, ears, or noses!

To purchase, add $85 to my PayPal via the link below, include your name and address and I will mail your order out to you ASAP! United States shipping included (please add $5 outside the USA)!
paypal.me/TeachOutside

Through the Year with Bandana Bear Calendar

Through the Year with Bandana Bear is based on real adventures had year round at Outside School!

Bandana Bear (they/them) is an American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) who loves having fun and making discoveries outside! With monthly prompts, be inspired to live a healthful life exploring, enjoying beautiful vistas, helping the environment, practicing naturalist skills, and taking in various mindfulness practices.

Feel free to start your calendar any month you like or for the next calendar year.

Suitable for all ages.

To purchase: Add $15 to my PayPal via the link below, include your name and address and I will mail your order out to you ASAP! United States shipping included (please add $5 outside the USA)!

paypal.me/TeachOutside

Find out more: bandanabear.org

Enrollment

Now Enrolling

*Rest of the School Year* or *8 Week Peek*

Enroll by this process: 1) Read the first website page page. 2) Read the handbook page. 3) Read and follow the steps on the application/tuition page. I provide the links in the appropriate order. Check ‘em out!

*Volunteer, Trail, or Story Time by the Creek Experience*

(choose one) (For one family at a time, any Wednesday during my normally scheduled school year (email first for availability and waiver): $75/10:00 - 12:00)

*Summer Camp*

Summer Camp Week 1: July 7 - 11, 2025

Summer Camp Week 2: July 14 - 18, 2025

Summer Camp Week 3: July 21 - 25, 2025

Summer Camp Week 4: July 28 - August 1, 2025

Enrollment for Summer Camp is currently available for anyone on my mailing list! General enrollment opens on 12/16/24.

$400/week

*Drop-In Days*

Only for previously enrolled students in case families have a need during my regularly scheduled school year days. ($100/day- email for availability first.) It's on the application forms as well.

Outside School

100% Outdoor Kindergarten - 12th Grade Natural, Organic Learning in scenic Wildcat Canyon Regional Park

Students experience real life in real time!

An antithesis to public and private school classrooms.

Celebrating nature, individuality, and freedom in the urban outdoors!

This alternative education model is all about relationships, with each other and with the land.

Learning is child led and teacher supported, with all of us learning through play, conversation, and direct experience. This developmental approach respects everyone for who they are and encourages growth in all realms: head (knowledge), heart (social and emotional), hands (physical), and ecological (“To acknowledge the understanding of ecology and human interdependence with the ecosystem.” (Sobel & Bailie, 2016)). Lessons are organic, weaving together my life and educator experiences, everyone’s strengths, challenges, and interests, and what our environment and needs provide for us each day.

We experience awe regularly.

School Year Program

Perfect for those who want to flexischool, unschool, deschool, microschool, hybrid school, homeschool, be in a pod, independent study, or privately tutored. (Most families file a simple private school affidavit or tell their school they’ll be with independent studies- the application page has more details.)

My students are here because their families are looking for an alternative, organic, or natural education!

School begins the day after Labor Day and follows West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) holidays: Veterans Day (if it’s on one of our school days), Thanksgiving Week, Winter Break, Presidents Week, and Spring Break. The school year ends the Thursday in June that corresponds with WCCUSD’s last week.

-Tuesday through Thursday

-9:00 - 3:00 (drop-off by 9:15, pick-up as early as 2:45)

-Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until August 15 of each school year.

-Late enrollment may be available as space and existing group dynamics allow, with the last deadline for any school year being February 14 for a March 1 start.

8 Week Peek

Perfect for homeschoolers or those wanting to check Outside School out before committing to the entire school year.

8 Week Peek is for eight consecutive weeks, inclusive of school holidays; see the calendar linked on the front page,

Starting dates are available any Tuesday, so long as they occur on or before 3/1 of any school year,
Apply at least 15 calendar days in advance, no later than 2/14 of the current school year,
If we mutually agree at the end of the eight weeks, I’ll invite you to attend Outside School at the usual tuition rate for the rest of the school year!

Link: 🌲 Outside School 🌲

Nature News, Inspiration, and Resources

Stikky

When I was contacted about receiving copies of Stikky Books, what could I say? With a name like Stikky, a band that used to play Gilman when I was a young adult, I had to give them a try!

I received copies of Stikky Tracks and Stikky Night Skies.

These books are revolutionary.

Let me say that again.

Revolutionary.

This is how we all ought to be teaching! Small steps, real world applications, reviewing, simple but intelligent and fun text, clear photography and illustrations, expected to make, recover, and learn from mistakes, and added resources for those of us who like to get nerdy. All of it! I loved these books- their content, their packable sizes (and ability to take a fair amount of abuse), the ability to quickly find something forgotten or to use for reference, and even their delightfully textured covers. These books are perfect for anyone who can read at an elementary school level, all the way through elder adulthood.

I never had a good grasp of the constellations, and now I do- along with multicultural stories. Same with the animal tracks and signs book- even though we regularly come across many of the features highlighted in the books, it really clarified some mysteries. Now I can go forth with far more confidence with both these subjects.

Two thumbs and one set of binoculars up!

Link: Stikky Books

Here are the books, along with a photo of the sky I grabbed pre-dawn before a shift at Sonoma Raceway, and several tracks and signs of animals found during a recent trip to pick up garbage around Wildcat Creek: