Big Sur / Fernwood - 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 First Aid Certified. 80 % of them hold advanced certifications such as Wilderness Emergency Medical Training, Wilderness First Responders or Wilderness Advanced First Aid.

RESPONSE TIMES: for Emergency ServicesHOSPITALS: Community Hospital of the Monterey Penninsula 

Big Sur Health Center MEDIVAC HELICOPTERResponse times vary 30 minutes to 2 hours. RESPONSE TIMES:Ambulance: Located in Big Sur 5 minutesLaw Enforcement: State Park Rangers response time 5 minutes.

Fernwood Campground – Big Sur lies 150 miles south of San Francisco along Highway 1. The Big Sur coastline is recognized for its rugged mountains and cliffs which overlook coastal rock formations, waterfalls, clear streams, coast redwood groves, and great biological diversity.

What hides in the Mist?

The park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into nearby 3,000-foot ridges. It features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail. A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway 1.

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.

• Check the FAQ page on our website for more information on steps for insuring your student is well taken care of regarding food needs.

Educational Themes can include:

The Big Sur; A Sense of Place Geology of the Coastal Mountains

Birds of the Big SurTree identificationPlants and Animals

The Coastal Redwood ForestWeather and Fog

Plant and Animal AdaptationsPioneer History

We wish to explore the importance of national and state 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 and

emphasizing the unique natural history of the region.

In every walk with nature we

receive far more than we

seek

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.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE7:30 Breakfast prep/clean up 7:45 Breakfast8:15 Prepare for walks & pick up trail lunches. Shuttle to Andrew Molera State park. Groups on trail will spend the day hiking, learning natural history, and doing team building activities5:00 Free Time (supervised by faculty) 5:30 Dinner prep/clean up 6:00 Dinner7:30 Evening program: Astronomy 9:00 Students released to faculty9:30 In tents10:00 Lights out and quiet

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 …