Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Survivalist treats unsung heroes to basic outdoor school.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Bear Grylls: Face the Wild
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BEAR GRYLLS: FACE THE WILD, survivalist and TV personality Bear Grylls invites 10 of his Facebook fans to join him on outdoor adventures to learn some basics of making it in the wild. Participants are selected for their enthusiasm but also for the inspirational impact their personal stories have on Bear, who leads them on their personal journeys of accomplishment in the wild and learns about the issues that move them.
Is It Any Good?
This show's appeal is less about Bear Grylls' celebrated survival skills and more about his eagerness to share the spotlight with everyday folks who are heroes in their own (less prominent) right. The participants are making a difference in issues that are meaningful to them and living lives that deserve celebration even if they typically aren't in the spotlight. As Bear helps them realize courage and determination in themselves they otherwise might not have known they had, he's also inspired by their personal stories of triumph and assumes the unusual role of student as they share their own expertise and experiences with him.
Even though Face the Wild devotes much of its time to the participants' causes, Bear still ensures that his survival students learn a few basics of existing in the wild. They hike, they scavenge, they learn about tackling the elements, and they perform some sort of physical feat that challenges their resolve. If extreme survival drama is what you're looking for, you won't find it here, but this Bear Grylls project is inspiring in its own way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the purpose of reality shows like Bear Grylls: Face the Wild. Are they intended to entertain? To educate? To inspire? Did you learn anything from this show?
What value exists in knowing survival skills? Do you enjoy spending time in nature? What steps do you take to ensure your safety in the outdoors?
Who stands out in this series as a role model? What qualities do you most admire in them? How does perseverance help in challenging situations?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 21, 2018
- Cast : Bear Grylls
- Network : Facebook Watch
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : STEM
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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