Yosemite: Naturalists at Large

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…

Who do weserve ?

Pygmy Forest of Sonoma

Giant Forest of Sequoia

Sonoran Desert

Colorado River

CatalinaIsland

What does

Naturalists at Large

do ?

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.

Trail Group sizes of 9 to 14 studentsAlways with one instructor and one adult from your school

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.

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.

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.

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 minute response in the valleyMedivac helicopter: 30-40 minutes.Law Enforcement: 5 minutes in the valley

Yosemite National Park is located in the central Sierra Nevada of California and lies 150 miles east of San Francisco and only a six hour drive from Los Angeles. Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity.

"was a man whose life was nothing short of inspirational. His writings are clear, vibrant and full of prophetic wisdom - he was one of the first to realize that all species are interconnected and 'hitched together.'"

John Muir…

Highlights of the park include Yosemite Valley, and its high cliffs and waterfalls; Wawona's history center and historic hotel; the Mariposa Grove, which contains hundreds of ancient giant sequoias; Glacier Point's (summer-fall) spectacular view of Yosemite Valley and the high country.

4 person tent with 2-3 students per tent

Everybody get’s to help with camp chores

Meals are wholesome

affairs providing

the nutrition

needed for active

participantsThere’s a variety of menu

options from which to choose

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.

Educational Themes can include:

Yosemite National Park; A Sense of Place. Geology of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Birds of the SierraTree identificationPlants and Animals

Black Bears The conifer forest

High Sierra weatherPlant and animal adaptationsGlaciation vs. Mass Wasting

We wish to explore the importance of national parks to our culture and the individual through group discussions and journal exercises. This shared group experience will foster school spirit and increase group unity.

The program of hiking and group activities will emphasize each student's responsibility to the environment. The unique natural history of the Sierra mixed conifer forest and associated plants and animals.

In every walk with nature we

receive far more than we

seek

Destination Hikes

Upper or Lower Yosemite Falls Vernal or Nevada FallsLittle Yosemite Valley

Mirror Lake

Visit Spider Cave

And a few other optional activities…

Journal & ReflectiveActivity

Map & CompassOrienteering

Animal Tracking

Creativity

Relaxation & Stretching

Fun Games

Evening ProgramsNaturalists at Large will use the evening as

an alternative activity/learning time for students. Each evening will have a

different focus.Astronomy: constellations, motion of stars and planets, stellar evolution, stories and

myths.Evening hikes to foster confidence with no

artificial light. We also cover nocturnal adaptations of animals.

Traditional campfire: songs, stories and skits performed by the students and

Naturalists at Large staff.

(Day one)1:30ish School arrives at Curry Village parking area. Load luggage onto NAL cube truck. Group game, Walk to Upper Pines, Student orientation, Tent demo / camp set-up / split into trail groupsGames and activities, introduction to Yosemite5:00 Free time in camp supervised by faculty6:00 Dinner7:30 Evening program: Preview week, goals,

group building and games9:00 Students released to faculty9:30 In tents10:00 Camp quiet hours

(Day two)5:30 Shower time for students 7:45 Breakfast9:00 Meet groups to begin day:

Spider Caves/Yosemite Falls Hike to Mirror Meadow

5:00 Free time supervised by faculty6:00 Dinner7:30 Evening program: Night walk with activities about nocturnal communities9:00 Students released to faculty 9:30 In tents10:00 Camp quiet hours

(Day three)5:30 Shower time for students7:00 Breakfast7:45 Meet groups: All day hike

Hike to Upper Yosemite Falls Hike to Vernal Falls / Nevada Falls

5:00 Free time supervised by faculty6:00 Dinner7:30 Evening program: Individual group debrief8:00 Student run campfire with naturalist support9:00 Students released to faculty9:30 In tents10:00 Camp quiet hours

(Day four)5:30 Shower time for students7:00 Tent take down demo / Break down camp 8:00 Breakfast (all gear packed prior)

Pack sack lunch for bus8:45 Camp trash sweep9:00 School departs

A great adventure for the group…

And the individual.

Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star. …Muir

Ask about…

Medications, Allergies, and Special Dietary

Needs

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.

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.

Plastic bag protection. A half dozen, 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.

For more information

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