Naturalists at Large provides outdoor education programs for over 200 schools in California, introducing thousands of students to diverse natural environments through activities like hiking, environmental science, and outdoor skills. They work closely with each school to design tailored programs for groups of 9-14 students led by an instructor and adult chaperone. Their instructors have university degrees and extensive experience teaching and leading youth outdoors.
2. Our education programs for over two hundred of California's public and independent schools have introduced thousands of students to environments as diverse as the… Independent Schools Charter Schools Public Schools Waldorf Schools Montessori Schools Who do we serve ?
3. Pygmy Forest of Sonoma Giant Forest of Sequoia Sonoran Desert Colorado River Catalina Island
6. We work with each school every step of the way to identify their outdoor education goals and then tailor a program to meet those specific needs.
7. Trail Group sizes of 9 to 14 students Always with one instructor and one adult from your school
8. Naturalists at Large provides a complete outdoor curriculum for primary through high school level students. We can accommodate trips for 15 students to over 200.
10. Naturalists at Large draws it’s instructors from all over the United States. These are men and women with 4-year university degrees who have proven experience working with youth in the outdoors and in the classroom.
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12. With their high comfort and experience in the outdoors, their passion for teaching, and a commitment to safety first, we have the foundation for a fantastic experience for you and your students.
13. All of our instructors are CPR and First Aid Certified. 80 % of them hold advanced certifications such as Wilderness Emergency Medical Training, Wilderness First Responders and Wilderness Advanced First Aid. RESPONSE TIMES: for Emergency Services Ambulance: Under 30 minutes from Grant Grove, up to 2 hours from the valley. Medivac Helicopter: Summer...Under 20 minutes; winter...varies with provider Law Enforcement: 15 minutes
18. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks remain a largely unspoiled alpine realm, with high-country lakes and mountain streams, snowfields, and scores of peaks that top 13,000 feet.
21. The lodge offers 36 lodge Rooms & 13 Cabins catering to the needs of small and large groups. The spacious rooms sleep anywhere from a couple to an entire cabin sleeping up to 8 people.
36. Ski school and our Naturalist at Large ski instructors will prepare you and your group for the coming days of ski touring All skill levels can be accommodated on our cross-country ski program
37. And after ski school… a chance to get out on miles of groomed and maintained trails
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39. Winter Ecology and Snow Travel will be the focus of our on-trail curriculum
61. A Typical Day 7:30 Breakfast 9:00 Groups A and B do journal activities, snowshoe ecology hike, group initiatives. Groups C and D ski to the warming hut 12:00 Lunch by groups 1:00 Groups C and D do journal activities, snowhoe ecology hike, group initiatives. Groups A and B ski to the warming hut 4:30 Return to camp for large group games 6:00 Dinner 7:30 Evening Program: Night walk and star study 9:00 Students released to faculty
65. Equipment Reminders Follow your equipment list. Pack together. Adult and student can double check the contents of the gear bag. All clothing should fit in a medium size duffle. A day pack is essential to move about the program with water, some food, extra layers of clothing, and personal incidentals.
66. Rain gear is a must. ( water-proof shell) Rain Ponchos are fine. Comfortable closed toed shoes are required. Light weight hikers or tennis shoes with a few pairs of good outdoor socks (non-cotton). A good water bottle (quart or liter).
67. Plastic bag protection. A half dozen, 1 or 2 gallon storage ziplocks are good for protecting clothing in a gear bag from moisture. Along with a couple hefty 15 to 30 gallon bags to line your gear bag and sleeping bag (& daypack). Don’t send gear that you could not afford lost or broken (expensive cameras, cell phones, and other electronics). A handy disposable camera would be just fine. Follow your equipment list, ask questions, borrow from friends.
68. The key to staying comfortable on a winter trip is LAYERING of NON-COTTON CLOTHING ! & for extra emphasis… Good quality NON-COTTON long underwear, winter gloves, beanie hat. With leashed sunglasses and a water/wind resistant shell jacket or poncho. You’re good to go!