Naturalists at Large provides outdoor education programs for K-12 schools throughout California, taking students on trips to locations like redwood forests, deserts, and islands. They work with each school to design multi-day programs focused on environmental science, team building, and outdoor skills. Experienced instructors lead groups of 9-14 students in activities like hiking, camping, and astronomy while emphasizing safety, learning, and fun.

1. for over Twenty Years

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

4. What does Naturalists at Large do ?

5. TEAM BUILDING ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE OUTDOOR SKILLS Native & Pioneer History Group Retreats

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.

9. Our Instructors

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 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 from Boulder Creek Medivac Helicopter: available Law Enforcement: 5 minutes

14. BOULDER CREEK SCOUT RESERVATION

15. 20 minutes north of Santa Cruz just off highway 9. 9

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

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

18. Let's Go !

19. WELCOME

20. Drop your gear and let’s look around…

21. Dozens of small covered outpost encampments Scattered along a year round creek

22. Plenty of room for activities Like this Campfire Area

23. Covered Eating Area

24. Bathroom Facilities

25. Covered Meeting Area

26. Shower House Teaching Area

27. Lot’s of room to explore On 300 acres

30. Members of the class will be organized into groups of twelve to fourteen students. Naturalists at Large instructors will work with their groups of students to teach basic camp skills, supervise meal preparation, conduct outdoor education hikes (primarily a mix of "walk and talks” and hands-on activities) on the site trails.

31. SET UP A TENT

33. MEAL TIME

34. Everybody get’s to help with camp chores

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

37. 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.

38. GET READY FOR...

39. Team Building

40. A focus of most all Naturalists at Large programming is the interaction of the individual with the group. The needs of both must be met through the development of cooperation, leadership and problem solving skills.

41. The facilitation of activities, with the emphasis on our interaction with the environment and each other, promotes awareness of each individual’s role in making the group experience a positive one.

43. Environmental Education

44. Educational themes include the grassland community, north coast forests, stream science, ecology of the redwoods, forests and humans -- a historical perspective, local geology, the stars, and environmental influences on plant species and diversity. Emphasis will be tailored to complement the academic goals of the school.

45. STREAM SCIENCE

47. Hiking and Exploring

48. The site features a variety of flowers and trees, including oak, tanoak, madrone, live oak, laurel and Douglas fir. California native wildflowers include buttercups, milkmaids, and Indian paintbrush.

49. Forest Ecology

54. OBSERVE CRITTERS

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

57. Creativity Relaxation & Stretching Fun Games

58. Monterey Aquarium Elkhorn Slough Kayak Boulder Creek Camp puts you in close proximity to great destinations for optional off-site activities.

59. Point Lobos Natural Bridges Punta de Ano Nuevo

60. And when the sun goes down...

61. Star studies and the night sky

62. Night Hike

63. Campfire

64. Outdoor Education

65. A great experience for the individual student…

66. The group…

67. And the Faculty !

68. 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 .

69. (Day one) 11:00 Arrive at Boulder Creek 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

70. (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

71. (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 goes Kayaking at Elkhorn 11:30 Lunch by trail groups 12:00 Groups A, B do stream study and games. Groups C & D goes Kayaking at Elkhorn 2:30 Return to camp for debrief 3:00 Load gear on bus 3:30 School departs

72. Boulder Creek & the Santa Cruz Mountains DISCOVER IT !

73. Medications, Allergies, and Special Dietary Needs

74. 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. Utensil Kit that may be reused for each meal and a cup that can handle hot & cold liquids.

75. 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). Ground pad. Ensolite pads are much cheaper than thermarest types and work just as well.

76. 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.

77. www.natsatlarge.com For more information check us out at …