LEARNING THROUGH NATURE

Learning outdoors gives us a sense of freedom, space, and a feeling that anything is possible!

Bell Creek Nature School’s integrated curriculum brings meaning to each academic subject by incorporating and combining academic lessons with nature immersion, play, exploration, social interaction, and daily life. All lessons take place outdoors on 10 acres of moss-covered woodland. This integrated and hands-on learning style promotes creativity, confidence, problem solving skills, real world application. This supports an understanding of how we can apply academic skills to everyday life which in turn develops a child’s to desire to learn more.

The Bell Creek curriculum will draw from various sources to ensure that the program provides a holistic and full learning experience for its students. Some of the sources include Investigations Math Curriculum, Washington Educational Core Standards, Growing up Wild Curriculum, Forest Kindergarten learning philosophies, and Project Learning Tree Environmental Education Program.

Place-Based Education

The curriculum varies each day depending on the student’s interests. The elements of place-based education include:

  • Takes place on-site in the school yard, and in the local community and environment

  • Learning focuses on local themes, systems, and content

  • Learning is personally relevant to the learner

  • Learning experiences contribute to the community’s vitality and environmental quality

  • Learning includes all academic subjects through interdisciplinary work

  • Promotes connection, respect, and love for one’s environment

OUR BACKGROUND

Growing Up

I have felt at home in the wilderness for as long as I can remember. Growing up in rural Maine, I spent my time playing and exploring the great outdoors. Family vacations consisted of camping, backpacking, and canoe trips. I was fortunate to be home schooled through elementary school as it allowed me to learn outside of the typical classroom setting, to discover my own learning style, my unique interests, strengths and weaknesses at an early age. This style of learning encouraged my curiosity, confidence, and instilled a love of learning. Our goal in opening Bell Creek Nature School is to create a learning environment that does the same for our students.

Journey to Nature School

From a young age I knew that my career would involve working with children. I studied Psychology, Biology and Neuroscience in college with a plan to become a Child Psychologist. My first experience with teaching was while studying abroad in West Africa where I volunteered in a preschool and loved it! However, after graduation, I pursued a path in social work which led me to work with youth at risk of homelessness in Australia and as a Youth and Family counselor when I returned to Maine. Something seemed to be missing for me so I veered away from social work to continued the search for something more.

This is when my best friend and I packed our backpacks, jumped on the Appalachian Trail and spent 6 months hiking from Georgia to Maine. Being so completely immersed in nature and its healing abilities inspired me to search for a way to provide the kids that I work with the opportunity to experience the wilderness the way that I had. But how?

I traveled to India and immersed myself in a month long yoga training/practice. This was an eye opening experience for me. I grew into myself like never before and the idea of a Nature School came to me during one of my morning meditation classes. It seems crazy but in that moment I knew exactly what I was meant to do!

I left India and jumped right into working as a Pre-K Teacher in Boston. I immediately fell in love with this age group and went back to school for Early Childhood Education. During this time I also pursued education in Permaculture Design, Sustainability, and Environmental Education.

Found Our Calling!

In 2014, Tyler and I packed up our car and ventured into the mountains of Utah where I opened Honeybee Nature School. Today Honeybee Nature School continues to flourish in Ogden, Utah while Tyler and I establish new roots and open our second school here in Deming, Washington!

OUR TEACHERS

Julie
JulieDirector
As founder, director, and lead teacher, Julie brings years of Nature School experience to Bell Creek. With degrees and certifications in neuroscience, psychology, environmental and early childhood education, and permaculture, Julie is perfectly positioned to ensure your child grows up with an appreciation for nature, education, and their peers.

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Biology
Certificate in Early Childhood Education
Forest Kindergarten Teacher & Director Certified
200-level Yoga Teacher Certified
Permaculture Design Certified

Tyler
TylerBell Creek Architect & Adventure Guide
In charge of fort construction, obstacle course development, hay rides, and mud puddle supervision, Tyler can’t wait for this year’s adventures. With decades spent exploring the woods, Tyler is excited to share his knowledge on all things flora, fauna, and more! From Day 1 Tyler has been Bell Creek’s Outdoor Classroom Architect and One-Man Construction Crew.

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Management
Forest Schools Level 1 Certified
Wilderness First Aid
AIARE I Avalanche Certification

Alexis
AlexisHomeschool Enrichment Leader, Forest Preschool Teacher & Administrator
Alexis is all about creating the most welcoming, wonder-filled spaces—whether in the forest or at the snack table. She believes in the magic of community, the wisdom of children, and the power of compassion to connect us all. You’ll often find her barefoot in the woods, listening deeply, crafting wild teas, or writing letters to faraway friends. Wherever she goes, Alexis helps make room for growth, connection, and joy.

B. A. Environmental Education, Western Washington University
Certificate in Nonprofit Management, University of Montana
CPR/First Aid Certified

Kori
KoriForest Preschool Teacher
Going into her third year at Bell Creek Nature School, Kori is from the banks of the Cedar River in Iowa. Kori has been mud stomping and mud sliding her way westward across the Plains, over the Colorado Rockies, and now to the North Cascades of Washington. Along the way, she has been sharing her fascination of all things wild with early learners as a preschool teacher, adventure leader, and a nanny and is so excited to continue playing and learning with her students at Bell Creek Nature School!

BFA Art History
Certificate of Early Childhood Education
CPR/First Aid Certified

Izzy
IzzyForest Preschool Teacher
Izzy grew up in Washington and discovered her love of nature while spending countless days playing in the woods and going on hiking trips with her family. In her free time, she can be found romping through Whatcom’s trails, with her nose in a book, or playing board games with friends. Izzy loves sharing her time, knowledge, and imagination with children. She has previously been a camp counselor, swim instructor, and gymnastics coach. After graduating from Western Washington University, Izzy knew she wanted to continue to share her love for the outdoors with youth. She believes that mindful movement, immersion in nature, imaginative play, and emotional identification are all essentials for children’s wellbeing. Izzy is so excited to join the Bell Creek team this year!

B.A. in Recreation Management and Leadership
CPR/First Aid Certified

Emilia
EmiliaForest Preschool Teacher
Growing up in Bellingham, the PNW wilderness, mountains and ocean are deeply rooted in my sense of home. After years of administrative work in the agriculture seed business, I took some time away for adventure, travel, and wilderness experiences. I am happy to be home in Whatcom County and pursuing my growing interest in working with young children. My natural disposition to connect, play, care for and grow with young spirits is blossoming a feeling of meaning and belonging. I am grateful and inspired to be working at beautiful Bell Creek Nature School alongside kind, wise, wholesome, caring, wild spirited humans. I love learning about plants, wildlife, childhood development, and the human condition/psychology. These days I spend quality time with family and friends and I enjoy wandering and exploring everywhere from the ocean shore beaches to the highest peaks in the mountains.

B.A. in Geography, Minor in French
CSIA Ski Instructor lvl. 1 & Avalanche Safety lvl. 1
CPR/First Aid Certified

Isabel
IsabelK-1 Teacher & Homeschool Enrichment Leader
Isabel grew up in the pactific northwest swinging bull kelp at the beach and eating salmonberries in the forest. She has been working with young people since high school as an art camp instructor and found her passion in college as a nature camp instructor. After graduating from college she spent two years on the north shore of Lake Superior honing her skills as a naturalist and educator at Wolf Ridge ELC. She has spent the last three years as a forest preschool teacher in the Seattle area. Isabel strongly believes that nature is the best classroom for children to grow as curious, kind, and confident people. She can’t wait to grow and learn with everyone this year.

B.A. in English
B.A. in French Literature
Master’s Certificate in Environmental Education and Sustainability
CPR/First Aid Certified

Chrissy
ChrissyKindergarten Teacher
Raised on the East Coast, Chrissy’s love for the outdoors blossomed in the Blue Ridge mountains and took hold when she moved to Washington to work for REI. Enamored with anything covered in moss and the history and magic of the North Cascades, you’ll find Chrissy wandering the woods with her dog, skiing at Baker, or dancing anywhere she can.
Chrissy kept gravitating toward working with children, from coaching and nannying, to substitute teaching. Recently working for the Forest Service, her highlight was engaging with the curious little minds that entered the visitor center. Chrissy is ecstatic to begin working at Bell Creek! She can’t wait to learn and grow with her students and help foster their creativity and confidence through nature.

B.S. Leadership, Ethics and Organizational Sustainability, Minor in Communications
CPR/AED/First Aid Certified
AIARE 1 Certified

Marie
MarieK-1 Teacher and Homeschool Enrichment Leader
Marie grew up in the Great Lakes region, raised with reverence and awe for the world all around her. She moved back to Washington to pursue nature based early education, and is so grateful to feel at home in the Salish Sea region. She has worked in elementary schools since the beginning of college, where she found her passion of weaving her love of nature and art into creating a nurturing and loving education for all children. She is rooted in the belief that young children learn best surrounded by all of our wisest teachers: the trees, rivers, seeds, insects, and plants of our world. She is so excited to be an enthusiastic and loving teacher for all the students at Bell Creek Nature School.

CPR/First Aid Certified
Bachelors degree in Environmental Justice

Bear
BearHead Dog
Every student’s best friend, Bear grew up at Nature School and is primarily responsible for kisses, snuggles, and locating great mud puddles. He can’t wait to meet you!

OUR LOCATION

Located at the confluence of Bell Creek and the North Fork of the Nooksack River, we’re ideally situated to observe and learn about nature. Our school takes place among sword fern, red cedar, western hemlock, wild orchids, and numerous types of moss and mushrooms. Kids will discover salamanders, pacific tree frogs, woodpeckers, and if we’re really quiet: a family of white-tail deer who call the property home.

Only 100 meters from the Nooksack River Bald Eagle Viewing Site at the Welcome Bridge, we’ll have plenty of opportunity to observe dozens of bald eagles that appear every year to dine on the salmon-choked river. Explorations up the quiet Bell Creek will reveal fish eggs, tadpoles, and much more!

BELL CREEK

OUTDOOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Because we spend every day outdoors, it’s important your kids are properly equipped. Once enrolled, we can supply a full list, but here are a few brands we highly recommend:

Call Us

Interested in hearing more about Bell Creek Nature School’s outdoor curriculum? Please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more.
P: 360-340-9302

Follow Us

Follow all our adventures on your favorite social media channel. Not into social media? No worries – sign up for our monthly newsletter capturing all the kiddo’s pursuits!

Visit Us

Come visit our beautiful location on the North Fork of the Nooksack River. We’re located 100 yards from the bald eagle sanctuary just off the Mt. Baker highway in Deming, WA.