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A New Den
Big Bear Little Bear offers family oriented experiences that nurture wellness, connect to nature and build creativity.
Experiences are designed to:
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In a world that feels uncertain, fast, and ever-changing, there are yet a few things things we can hold on to:
the love we share with the people that matter most and the ways we nurture a better future.
Focusing on Creative Arts
Theatre • Music • Crafts • Dance
Creativity is more essential than ever in today’s world. It gives us the ability to adapt, imagine new possibilities, and find solutions where none seem obvious. Beyond problem-solving, creativity nurtures resilience and joy — reminding us that even in challenging times, we can still express beauty, play, and connection. When we engage our creative spirit, we strengthen not only our own sense of well-being but also our capacity to build a more compassionate, innovative, and hopeful world together.
To recharge, reflect, and plant seeds for the kind of world we hope the next generation will inherit. It will only become this way if we build it, and this is how we build.
Meet Danielle
Hi! I started mother-daughter experiences because I saw a fundamental need that was missing from our education system and our modern day culture. I've been working in the education industry building programs and products for over 15 years focusing on the arts and emotional education. I feel the system is lacking the connection to a larger picture, the inspiration from our ancestors and the power of girls growing up within circles of wise women to learn from.
In addition, I was leading women's dance experiences and had a series of mother daughter pairs show up to dance (adults, college age and children too!) and thought... there is really something special about doing meaningful experiences as a mother daughter duo.
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So I combined my experience in the arts, emotional education, wellness, games, events, and ancient women's wisdom to build experiences that connect mothers, daughters and families overall.
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My hope is that our time together will bring a new, deeper connection to family, but also to the many women before us so that we may walk into a new world - a kind of "ancient future" where we bridge the wisdom of the old into our modern every day lives. Where the joy of music, dance and storytelling becomes essential for how we live. Where we heal our families generational patterns and start new. And where women gather, through all ages, to transform the world through gentle power.​
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Oh and have some fun while we're at it!
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Meet Mariel (Mars)
Mars is a multidisciplinary artist exploring various mediums including digital photography, collage, mixed media and stained glass. She created Mars Makes Magic offering her art throughout Santa Cruz County. She is also an educator and was thrilled to teach elementary school in Nicaragua, finding connection to her cultural roots and family. She is passionate about hiking in the redwoods alongside rivers and streams, beach days with friends, gardening in her backyard and spending time with her cat. She believes life is meant to be lived and each day is gift!