The Visitor Information Center

Visit us for details on local hikes and maps of the area at

at the Children's Forest in Running Springs

32753 Hwy 18.

(One-half mile east of Running Springs)

SUMMER HOURS

Open Friday and Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

and Sunday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Children’s Forest offers a unique environmental education program and destination that offers many things to many people. We have a professional staff of eight, over 200 volunteers, we reach over 12,000 people annually through various programs, manage an array of community and education partnerships, and host over 20,000 recreationists each year. Our reach extends throughout Southern California through partnerships and education programs. Children’s Forest is a national model for involving youth in land management initiatives.

The Mission

The mission of Children’s Forest is to provide opportunities for children to take a leadership role in forest management by giving them a legitimate voice in caring for the forest; and through formal education and volunteer programs, evoke a fascination with nature that engenders a commitment to life-long learning and forest stewardship.

The Essence

“For in the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.”
- Baba Dioum

“If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.”
- Confucius

These quotes capture the essence of Children’s Forest. Children are the key to conserving our heritage and natural resources. But it’s more than the fact that they will inherit the future. Children are open, teachable vessels that will carry on those things that are meaningful to them their entire lives. They are largely unconstrained by prejudice and most importantly, enthusiastic. Children are not only the strategic answer in resolving complex societal and environmental issues, but they serve, even during their childhood, as an example of objectivity, creativity and wonder that we can all learn from. While Children’s Forest teaches children, children teach us with amazing passion and conviction. Children show us, every day, how to be a better person! And they have the capacity to show us how to be better stewards of our natural resources, both today and in the future. Here’s to our children, the leaders they are now, and the leaders they will become! Our environment is in their capable hands.

This organization can best be described as a combination of four important components: The Place, Conservation Education, Youth Leadership, and Partners and Communities.


	HOME The Place Conservation Education Youth Leadership Partners Seedlings of Hope The Visitor Information Center Visit us for details on local hikes and maps of the area at at the Children's Forest in Running Springs 32753 Hwy 18. (One-half mile east of Running Springs) SUMMER HOURS Open Friday and Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM and Sunday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Children’s Forest offers a unique environmental education program and destination that offers many things to many people. We have a professional staff of eight, over 200 volunteers, we reach over 12,000 people annually through various programs, manage an array of community and education partnerships, and host over 20,000 recreationists each year. Our reach extends throughout Southern California through partnerships and education programs. Children’s Forest is a national model for involving youth in land management initiatives. The Mission The mission of Children’s Forest is to provide opportunities for children to take a leadership role in forest management by giving them a legitimate voice in caring for the forest; and through formal education and volunteer programs, evoke a fascination with nature that engenders a commitment to life-long learning and forest stewardship. The Essence “For in the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” - Baba Dioum “If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.” - Confucius These quotes capture the essence of Children’s Forest. Children are the key to conserving our heritage and natural resources. But it’s more than the fact that they will inherit the future. Children are open, teachable vessels that will carry on those things that are meaningful to them their entire lives. They are largely unconstrained by prejudice and most importantly, enthusiastic. Children are not only the strategic answer in resolving complex societal and environmental issues, but they serve, even during their childhood, as an example of objectivity, creativity and wonder that we can all learn from. While Children’s Forest teaches children, children teach us with amazing passion and conviction. Children show us, every day, how to be a better person! And they have the capacity to show us how to be better stewards of our natural resources, both today and in the future. Here’s to our children, the leaders they are now, and the leaders they will become! Our environment is in their capable hands. This organization can best be described as a combination of four important components: The Place, Conservation Education, Youth Leadership, and Partners and Communities.