Rooted in place.
Growing together.
Place-based learning in Black Creek, Comox Valley
CRLC is a place-based, nature-connected learning community in Black Creek, Comox Valley.
In our program we weave the BC curriculum together with outdoor immersion, practical skills, mentorship and home learning. Guided by certified teachers, nature educators and a participating community, children learn through relationship—with the land, with one another and with meaningful real-world work.
The start of something good
Cottonwood Rose brings together academics, nature immersion, mentorship and home learning into one interconnected learning experience.
The program is stewarded by the Cottonwood Rose Farm, Forest & Nature Learning Society, in partnership with Heartwood Learning Communities through Navigate NIDES / School District 71, alongside Hand in Hand Nature Education and Danu Folk School.
Children participate in three mixed-age cohorts—Seedlings, Sprouts and Saplings—and engage with the BC curriculum through focused teaching, hands-on projects and seasonal experiences. Literacy, numeracy, science and creative expression connect with outdoor skills, ecological knowledge, craft and community life.
We are still in our early seasons of growth: a small, committed community building an ambitious vision. The program continues to develop through reflection, experience and relationship, with a commitment to greater consistency and support for children and families.
A Connected Rhythm of Learning
On the Land
Tuesday–Thursday: Three days each week bring children together at Cottonwood Rose for academic learning, outdoor exploration, creative work, practical projects and time in community.
At Home
Monday and Friday: Families continue with reading, literacy, numeracy and projects, supported by educator guidance. Regular time and active support for home learning are essential parts of this blended program.
In Community
Learning and contributing together: Mixed-age cohorts, mentorship and family participation create opportunities to build relationships, share skills and take responsibility for something meaningful.
Learning That Gives Something Back
We want children to know the places they belong to—and discover their capacity to care for them.
At Cottonwood Rose, we are growing toward a regenerative approach to learning. We ask how our participation can strengthen the health of the land and the relationships that sustain our community.
That begins in everyday experiences: tending a garden, caring for animals, making and repairing things, noticing seasonal change and looking after shared spaces. It also means learning to listen, navigate differences and contribute our individual gifts.
Through these experiences, children can develop both practical skills and a sense that their actions matter.
A Community Built Through Participation
Our educators bring different strengths to a shared purpose. Heartwood teachers support academic progress through the BC curriculum and learning at home. Nature educators bring outdoor skills, ecological knowledge, craft, song and storytelling. Mentors connect children with practical experience and wider possibilities.
Families help shape the life of the community through volunteering, PAC involvement, mentorship, events and care for the land and learning spaces.
A Place to Know and Care For
Cottonwood Rose unfolds on 46 acres in Black Creek, at the north end of the Comox Valley. Forest trails connect gardens, gathering spaces, learning environments, creeks and neighbouring parklands.
Here, children return to familiar places through the seasons—exploring, building, growing and noticing what changes. Learning takes shape alongside the rhythms and responsibilities of caring for a shared place.
Families, educators, mentors, volunteers and Workaway visitors contribute to the wider life of Cottonwood Rose. Together, we are exploring how education, stewardship and community can strengthen one another.
An Invitation from Our Family
Hey folks! We’re Julianna, John, Finn and Christina.
We began this project with a wish for our children to grow up inspired by the land, guided by mentors and supported by friends who feel like family.
That wish is becoming something shared—shaped by the educators, families and community members who bring their own gifts and care to Cottonwood Rose.
If this approach speaks to your family, we’d love to connect. Come learn about the program, ask questions and explore whether this could be a place for you.
We also welcome mentors, makers, growers and others who would like to contribute.
Say hello at society@cottonwoodrose.ca.
Ready to see what it’s all about?
Contact us!
Say hello at society@cottonwoodrose.ca
We welcome conversations with families, educators, mentors, makers, growers, elders, and anyone who feels aligned with the spirit of the project.