This document provides information about the Naturalists at Large program, which offers outdoor education programs through hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. It introduces thousands of California students to various natural environments each year. The program works closely with schools to design tailored trips meeting specific outdoor education goals. Trips are led by trained naturalist instructors in small groups, with a focus on safety, teaching, and creating a fantastic experience for students. The document provides details about the types of activities and locations offered through the program.

2. Who do we
serve ?
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…

3. Pygmy Forest of Sonoma
Catalina
Island
Giant Forest of Sequoia
Sonoran Desert
Colorado River

4. What does
Naturalists at Large
do ?

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.

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 Wilderness
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: 5-7 minutes
Medivac Helicopter: available
Law Enforcement: 5 minutes

14. Join us at...

15. Mount
Cross
Camp

16. 20
minutes
north of
Santa
Cruz on
highway
9.

17. Welcome !

18. The camp features challenge
courses, playing fields, a
swimming pool, modern well kept
accommodations, and wholesome
meals. A variety of programs can
be put together using these
elements. Students can do the
ropes course and climbing wall in
addition to outdoor and
environmental education.

19. Located in the Coastal Redwood
Forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains

20. Take a close up view of the
Santa Cruz Mountains
Experience, which can be
provided by Naturalists at
Large for you and your
students.

22. Mount Cross and the Coastal
Redwood Forest are a
wonderful backdrop for the
study of Redwood Ecology,
Environmental Science and
the development of class
unity through challenging
activity.

23. Dine beneath towering redwoods.

24. We will have plenty of food
waiting for you.

25. Meals are
wholesome
affairs providing
the nutrition
There’s a variety of menu needed for active
options from which to choose participants

26. Allergies and Special Food Needs
 Program meals offer vegetarian food
options.
 For those with specific needs due to
allergies or personal reasons, we suggest
discussion with your faculty.
 Naturalists at Large can help guide those
with special diets to supplement their meals
in ways which everyone can most easily
manage.

27. There are some
choices in
lodging at
Mount Cross.
Madrone Cabins are a circle
of seven, single-room, heated
cabins. There is a men’s and
women’s restroom/shower
building located in the center.
Each cabin has five bunk beds
to accommodate up to ten
people.

28. The lodge has semi-private
rooms varying in size
accommodating 1-4
persons, shared restrooms
and showers, a central
meeting area for 20 -25
people, and a kitchenette.
The dorm has two
faculty rooms on each
side, as well as
restroom and shower
facilities in the middle
of the dorm. Each room
has either six or seven
bunk beds.

30. You will walk, play and
learn among…
majestic redwoods and
refreshing streams.

31. Small Groups of 10-14
students and 2 adults

32. Group Challenges

33. The low elements
of the course
include the Wild
Woosey, Spider's
Web, The Wall,
Islands, a Trust
Fall, and Nitro
Crossing.
Initiatives and…

34. Problem
Solving

35. The Naturalists at Large
ropes program is designed
to introduce all students
to this exciting activity.
Students learn to work
together and cooperate
towards a common goal.
Ropes instruction is
complemented by
challenge and initiative
games that will foster
greater group interaction.

36. The high-ropes course at Mt. Cross consists of
a Burma Bridge, a Catwalk, a Multi-Vine
Traverse, a Trapeze Leap, a Giant's Ladder,
Islands in the Sky, and a Tube Net.

37. Lessons learned include
trust in fellow students,
increased ability to
focus, and development
of self-esteem. The few
climbing skills acquired
by the students focus
on a safe and successful
experience. The
organization of ground
school preparation and
ropes sites are designed
with this philosophy in
mind.

39. The new climbing wall is
fun and challenging

40. Natural History
Hikes
Study of human impact on old-growth
and second-growth redwoods
Introduction to environmental
science concepts
Coastal range natural history and
ecology

41. Students will discover the
unique natural and human history
of the area, develop group
cooperation through shared
experiences, enhance leadership
abilities, and learn basic outdoor
skills. Naturalists at Large
programs are designed to give
the students a "sense of place".
This is accomplished by
introducing them to the
natural and cultural history of
the surrounding area while
they explore the trails and
study the various habitats.

42. Journaling
Plant Identification

43. Wildlife
Observation

44. Stream Study

45. The Mount Cross Camp is a fully self
contained site with a variety of hiking trails,
a year round stream and all camp facilities
nestled within it’s own private land.

46. Seasonal
Swimming Pool

47. Recreation
Areas

48. Students are constantly
encouraged to solve problems
posed by the Naturalists at
Large instructors, comprised
of both intellectual problems
and well thought-out and well
executed physical problems
(i.e. initiative activities). Each
trail group is with a Naturalists
at Large naturalist-instructor,
and a faculty or parent
chaperon each day for the
entire program.

49. And a few other optional activities…
Animal Tracking
Map & Compass
Orienteering
Journal & Reflective
Activity

50. Creativity
Relaxation & Stretching
Fun Games

51. And after the sunset,
there’s still things to do…

52. Campfire

53. Night
Walk

54. Star studies and
the night sky

55. Mount Cross Camp puts
you in close proximity to
great destinations for
optional off-site
activities.
Monterey
Aquarium
Elkhorn Slough Kayak

56. Point Lobos
Punta de Ano Nuevo
Natural Bridges

57. The following is a sample three-
day schedule that has been used
by several schools. Four-day and
five-day trips often add off-site
options and allow for a more in-
depth experience of the region.
All Naturalists at Large trips are
tailored to meet each school’s
outdoor education goals.

58. (Day one)
11:00 Arrive at Mount Cross
Camp Bus greeters. Orientation to
site, Staff and Faculty meeting
Break into trail groups / small
group orientation and
introductions.
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Move in to lodging
2:00 Begin Initiatives & Challenges
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Evening Program: Night
awareness and trust activities
9:00 Students released to faculty

59. (Day two)
7:30 Breakfast
9:00 Groups A & B do redwood
ecology hike, group initiatives.
Groups C & D do low ropes
12:00 Lunch by groups
1:00 Groups C & D do redwood
ecology hike, group initiatives.
Groups A & B do low ropes
4:30 Return to camp
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Evening Program: Star
study / Campfire
9:00 Students released
to faculty

60. (Day three)
7:30 Breakfast
8:15 Pack
8:45 All gear staged and
ready to load on bus
9:00 Groups C & D do stream
study and games. Groups A &
B do high ropes
11:30 Lunch by trail groups
12:00 Groups A, B do stream
study and games. Groups C & D
do high ropes
2:30 Return to camp for debrief
3:00 Load gear on bus
3:30 School departs

61. DISCOVER IT !

63. Ask about…
Allergies, Medications,
and Special Dietary
Needs

64. 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.

65. 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).
The proper sleeping bag (check your equipment
list for specifics).

66. 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.

67. For more information
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