Bear Creek Educational Forest

We went on a fun field trip this week with our homeschool co-op to the Bear Creek Educational Forest near Tallahassee. The facility is only 2 years old and very nice. The trails were very neat and well-maintained. Our day was very organized. Two Foresters were our guides/teachers. The kids took a hike and id'd some trees, saw a beaver dam and trees they had "chewed", learned about the different animals that live in this forest, including the Florida Black Bear. No, we didn't see a real bear but saw a "stuffed" one that had been hit by a car. The kids learned all about being a Forester and played a game while learning to use the compass.

During the hike, the 4 yr olds became a little weary. So, a few of us plus one Forester took a short cut back to the class building. The Butter, ever my brave protector, felt the need to escort us back as well. He had one-on-one attention from Forester Karen, who showed him her forestry gadget drawer. It might as well have been a drawer full of gold and jewels to him! She had tools to measure a tree's height, tree's age, bark, circumference of the trunk, wind, temperature, etc. All he has talked about since is how he wants to be a Forester when he grows up. I think some of the other kids are interested in Forestry, as well, which made the trip even more worth it....besides the fact that our kids just love being together, no matter where we go!