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
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.
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.
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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: Under 30 minutes Medivac Helicopter: Under 20 minutes; varies with provider, consult EMS dispatcher Law Enforcement: 15 minutes
18. Established in 1930, the Ranch is a historic oasis in the Tonto National Forest. It lies on the banks of the Salt River, just below ten-mile long Saguaro Lake and in the shadow of the scenic Goldfield Mountain Range.
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20. Guests stay in rustic ranchettes and in the main ranch lodge, with its unique four-sided stone fireplace, wagon wheel lights, chimayo drapes and many historic and interesting artifacts.
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22. All have their own bathrooms, and each is heated and air conditioned. Rooms are well-maintained, quaint, and decorated in a western style.
23. The lodge has a wonderful dining facility providing quality food for every taste
24. There’s a variety of menu options from which to choose. Meals are wholesome affairs providing the nutrition needed for active participants.
28. 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.
29. 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. Educational Themes can include: *A Sense of Place. How are our urban environments and the Sonoran Desert similar/different? How do urban areas impact the wilderness? *Geology of the local Mountains *The ecology of Giant Cactus *Plant identification. *Plant and animal adaptations of the desert.
39. NAL will provide: *One naturalist / instructor for every twelve to fourteen students to conduct outdoor education programs for the students. (School provides one faculty member for every group of twelve.) *Program activities developed by Naturalists at Large with the faculty of the school. *All meals while at the program site. *A meeting room throughout the program period. *Evening programs
40. And a few other optional activities… Journal & Reflective Activity Map & Compass Orienteering Animal Tracking
43. Evening Programs Naturalists 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.
50. 7:30 Breakfast. Set up/Clean up by 8:30 Students meet in trail groups / Pick up trail lunch 9:00 Groups 1 & 2 go off site and explore the Salt River Groups 3 & 4 will spend the day in camp A) Hike with natural history and games B) Frisbee Orienteering C) Kayaking 3:00 Groups 1-2 meet the buses and return to camp 4:30 Faculty supervised free time. Recreational games 5:30 Dinner. Set up/clean up by 7:30-8:00 Trail group activities – active night hike with games . Video in the meeting room, Pictionary or Night hike 9:30 Students released to faculty for the evening 10:00 Lights out and quiet Sample Day Schedule
52. 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
56. 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.
57. Rain/Wind Shell- Jacket or Poncho 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). ? The need for sleeping bag for this site.
58. 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.