Naturalists at Large provides outdoor education programs for K-12 schools, accommodating groups from 15 to over 200 students. They lead multi-day trips to locations like Leo Carrillo State Beach, Joshua Tree, and Yosemite, where students explore ecosystems, identify plants and wildlife, and build outdoor skills through hiking, camping, and other hands-on activities led by certified naturalist instructors. The programs aim to foster an understanding and appreciation of the environment through experiential learning.

1. LEO CARRILLO

2. WE WORK WITH
Charter Schools
Montessori Schools
Public Schools
Waldorf Schools
Independent Schools
Over 300 schools
We introduce thousands of students a year to
diverse environments including...

3. CA COAST
JOSHUA TREE
COLORADO RIVER
YOSEMITE
GIANT SEQUOIAS

4. OUR FOCUS
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.
Topics that we can focus on include…

5. WATER SPORTS
OUTDOOR SKILLS
ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDIES
GROUP BUILDING
RETREATS

6. GROUP SIZE 12-14

7. 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.

8. OUR INTRUCTORS
Naturalists at Large draws it’s
instructors from all over the United
States. These are men and
women with 4-year university
degrees or equivalent who have
proven experience working with
youth in the outdoors and in the
classroom.

10. All of our instructors are CPR and
Wilderness First Aid Certified. Many of
them hold advanced certifications such
as Wilderness Emergency Medical
Technician, Wilderness First
Responders and Wilderness
Advanced First Aid.
INSTRUCTOR CERTS

11. Ambulance: 15 minutes
Medivac Helicopter: 10-20 minutes
RESPONSE TIMES

12. GETTING THERE

13. LEO CARRILLO

14. The Santa Monica Mountains are
one of the last remaining
examples of a relatively
undisturbed Mediterranean-type
ecosystem in the world. A unique
climate, diverse topography, and
other factors create a complex
assemblage of vegetation types.

16. Canyon Hikes

17. Views from
the canyon

18. OAK SAVANNA

19. HIKING TRAILS

20. TIDE POOLS

21. TENT CAMPING

22. Meals are
wholesome affairs
providing the
nutrition needed for
active participants.
There are plenty of
options to choose
from at each meal.
FOOD

23. Program meals offer vegetarian food options.
For those with specific needs due to allergies or
personal reasons, we suggest discussion with
your faculty AND Naturalists at Large.
Naturalists at Large can help guide those with
special diets to supplement their meals in ways
which everyone can most easily manage.
ALLERGIES AND SPECIAL
FOOD NEEDS

24. YUM!!

25. THINGS WE TEACH CAN
INCLUDE…
Exploration of fresh water streams.
Introduction to comparative ecosystems.
Plant identification and their uses.
Local wildlife observation and animal
behavior.

26. Understanding the dynamics of an ecosystem.
Regional geology and watershed studies.
Exploring the relationship between humans and
their environment.
Star studies and the night sky.
Marine biology and earth’s oceans.

27. FLORA AND FAUNA

28. PLANT ID AND USES

29. HUMAN HISTORY

30. GEOLOGY

31. GROUP BUILDING AND
LEADERSHIP

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. OTHER ACTIVITIES
Andy Goldworthy style Art Projects
Fun Games
Reflective Activities and
Journalizing
Stretching and Yoga
Animal Tracking
Map and Compass Orienteering

35. EVENING PROGRAMS
CAMPFIRES
SENSORY AWARENESS
ASTRONOMY
TONE SETTING

37. Day 1
9:30 Arrive on site at Leo Carrillo
PC/Faculty meeting
Whole group orientation and game
Students will spend the day exploring the area while hiking
Split into trail groups and begin activities. Groups will head down trail
with approximately 10 minute stagger.
Lunch on the trail (Students are bringing their own lunches)
4:15 Groups begin to arrive at Group Camp
Site orientation
4:40 Set up tents
5:00 Faculty supervised free time
First aid duty
5:30 All adult meeting
5:50 Emergency drill
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Evening program: short hike, astronomy and night awareness
9:00 Students released to Faculty for the evening
9:30 In tents/ lights out
10:00 Quiet

38. Day 2
7:45 Breakfast line up
8:00 Breakfast
Make and take lunch
9:00 Meet in trail groups and hike down to the beach.
Spend the day exploring and learning. Focus on stream science,
journalizing, natural history, introduction to local plants and animal science.
Tide pooling based on tide times
Morning Stream Science Groups 1-3
Afternoon Stream Science Groups 4-5
Lunch will be on the trail by groups
5:00 Faculty supervised free time
First aid duty
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Skit prep in trail groups
8:00 Evening Program: Campfire with skits and s’mores
9:00 Students released to Faculty for the evening
9:30 In tents/ lights out
10:00 Quiet

39. Day 3
7:50 Breakfast line up
8:00 Breakfast
Make and take lunch
Take down tents
9:30 Meet up with naturalists and head to beach
Time in trail groups
11:00 All school Beach Olympics
12:00 Lunch
Debrief in trail groups
1:00 Depart for school

40. 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.

41. 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).
A Ground Pad. This can be either a closed-cell
foam pad, or an inflatable, therma-rest type pad.

42. 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.

43. Allergies,
Medications, and
Special Dietary
Needs
Ask us about…

44. For more information
check us out at …