Multiple East Bay families were disappointed to learn that Heather Taylor had made the tough decision to close Outside School/Teach Outside, the program she created and ran in Richmond’s Alvarado Park. The last camp ended Aug.1, Taylor said. Costs, including park fees and especially insurance, were just too high, despite enthusiastic reviews from both parents and kids.
Children attending Outside School explored the park with Taylor, learning about the habitats, native animals (and the occasional cow) and absorbing lessons about how to protect the land and water. Taylor recalled an incident in which incensed students discovered a boot in the park’s stream, and a strategy had to be evolved to extract it.
But all is not lost for the families who want to continue some of the many Outside School activities, or for those wanting to discover them now. Taylor is maintaining access to her “Nature Helper” kit, in which kids volunteer to spend 10 hours in a calendar year “helping nature.” Participants choose and record their own activities, which need to take place outside those of their public or private school. The package includes an iron-on badge, identifying the child as a Nature Helper.
Even though television nature programs often focus on exotic animals and locales, “There is a lot of nature here, where we live,” said Taylor, “and it’s just as amazing.” A few suggestions: Nature Helpers could join a beach clean-up, do litter pick-up or assist in pulling weeds, such as invasive Cape ivy and French broom, meanwhile observing the creatures that may be nearby.
Another option for families is “Bandana Bear,” who, according to Taylor, “is an American black bear (Ursus americanus) who loves having fun and making discoveries outside… Bandana Bear lives a healthful life exploring the East Bay hills, enjoys beautiful vistas, makes and eats healthy food, helps the environment, practices naturalist skills and takes in various mindfulness practices.”
The stuffed toy “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,” explains Taylor’s website. The bears are made by people in underserved communities by Bears for Humanity, and sport a cotton bandana designed by a close friend of Taylor.
The bear itself is only one of four possible parts: Taylor has also designed a game, based on adventures actually had during Outside School. It’s played on a “bandana,” designed and printed by Taylor’s husband, Strephon. The game set also includes six game pieces, including a tiny Bandana Bear. The other five pieces are animals that can be found in the East Bay.
“There are four types of habitats that you might find in the East Bay,” she explained. In the game, the six characters are moved around, landing on spaces such as, “See your favorite animal. Jump ahead two spaces” and “Write and draw for a little while.”
The third Bandana Bear piece is a book by Taylor, Bandana Bear’s Adventures in the East Bay Hills. Taylor described it as a “make my own decisions” book based on real adventures at Outside School.” Though aimed at ages three and up, she has seen it read and enjoyed by all ages, including adults.
Last but not least is the universal, fill-in-your-own dates “Through the Year with Bandana Bear” calendar, again, based on activities at Outside School. Kids and families can use it to fill in planned and completed outdoor activities. Bandana Bear is pictured in many fun settings, with prompts such as, “What do you like to do in January?”
Taylor’s background is her inspiration for all her projects. Her mother worked for the California State Parks system, and the family moved all over the Bay Area as she was transferred from park to park. Taylor spent most of her childhood outside, her native curiosity steering her towards the sciences. She worked in the herpetology labs at UC Davis, then spent time at Cal Berkeley, where she prepped biology labs.
Working for an outside school in an elementary-school afterschool program prompted her to open Outside School/Teach Outside, and she’s proud of what she accomplished with it.
“I have [former students] now in conservation jobs and environmental law,” she said. “My biggest accomplishment was providing kids with time and space to figure things out for themselves.”
Would she ever consider re-opening Outside School? She laughed, and noted that it would take a big benefactor to make the equation work. But, as we know from nature, the solution to every equation is out there. Meanwhile, there’s Bandana Bear.
Access information about Nature Helper and all the Bandana Bear options at teachoutside.org/bandana-bear.
