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 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 ServicesInitial EMT response from Lee Vining fire department...not an ambulance: 5 minutesAmbulance: 10 minutes from June LakeLaw enforcement: 10 minutesMedivac: 45 minutes from Reno...”Careflight”Sheriff - search and rescue: 15 minutes.

The lake was, in recent years, the center of attention regarding water use rights. Nearly drained in the 1980, Mono Lake is now quite full and alive with shrimp, birds and all manner of little critters.

Mono Lake is a geologist's paradise. It is ringed by volcanoes--new and old. Two of the islands on the lake are volcanic domes.

Welcome to your BaseCamp for the next few days…

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.

What next ?

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.

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.

Educational Themes can include:

Eastern Sierra/Mono Lake; A Sense of Place Geology of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Birds of the SierraTree identificationPlants and Animals

The conifer forest and sage plateau regionPlant and animal adaptations

California water policy

We wish to explore the importance of natural places to our culture and the individual through exploration, 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 and associated plants and animals.

In every walk with nature we

receive far more than we

seek

Lundy Canyon - Trailhead elevation 8200'. 1/2 mile or longer. Hike up the trail through

the aspen groves, enjoy the abundant display of wildflowers, and revel in the

beauty of the cliffs and waterfalls.

See the Tufa

Reserve

Hike

Try a visit to Bodie

Check out…

Hike along Black Point and

explore the geology of it’s

volcanic fissures

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.

7:30 Breakfast8:30 Depart for Black Point hike; emphasis on

volcanism and exploring fissures. 11:50 Lunch at county park1:00 Panum Crater hike 2:30 Tour South Tufa Reserve. Emphasis on water politics and lake ecology. Human, animal and geological history of the lake. Students will eat alkalai fly pupae, catch brine shrimp and study tufa and its components. 4:30 Return to camp 6:00 Dinner7:15 Evening program: Sensory awareness and astronomy8:45 Students released to faculty10:00 Lights out

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

check us out at …