Coast Science Program

Coastal Science & Redwood Ecology Programs

Coastal programs allow classes to study the ecology of some of the world's most diverse and beautiful outdoor environments. Fieldguides teach about Native American Ohlone and Miwok history, redwood forest ecosystems, and ocean, tide pool, and beach ecology. We investigate and discuss the myriad of ways in which climate change is impacting our coastal areas with an ethic of conservation and stewardship integrated throughout everything we do. We offer our coastal science programs in a variety of locations including: Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Pescadero Coastline & Redwoods, Salt Point, and Pt. Lobos State Preserve/Monterey Bay. In each location, our "family-style" camping format helps students grow socially & emotionally and connect with the world around them in new and exciting ways. Our program curriculum and activities vary depending on the location, desired focus of the trip, transportation plan, and the length of program. Any trip can be customized to meet your needs and lessons are aligned with California History-Social Science and Next Generation Science Standards across multiple grade-levels.

Each location offers its own variety of experiences & learning opportunities!
Click to learn more about each site or give us a call (650) 969-6325 to discuss which option is best for you.

Point Reyes Seashore

Tidepooling at Duxbury Reef, visiting Kule Loklo (a reconstructed Coast Miwok Village), hiking the earthquake trail, and exploring the redwoods are some of the highlights that a trip to the Point Reyes Seashore has to offer!

Pescadero Redwoods

A trip to Pescadero will find you surrounded by giant coast redwoods, hiking up above the canopy for valley views, searching for macroinvertebrates in Pescadero Creek, and watching out for banana slugs!

Salt Point

If you are searching for miles of trails along coastal bluffs, a unique trip to pygmy forest, taking a stroll through the redwoods, and the chance to engage with the marine ecology experts at Fort Ross Conservancy then Salt Point is the place to be.

Pt. Lobos/Monterey

Pt. Lobos offers some of the best views of sea lions while hiking along gorgeous coastal bluffs. You also have a chance to visit an entirely different ecosystem of coast live oaks as you hike and camp in Toro County Park.

Introduction/sharing circle.

A Sample Schedule for a 5 day coastal program:
Day 1 11:00a.m. -1:00 p.m. Students arrive at campsite and are divided into study groups.
1-4:00 p.m. ORIENTATION HIKES - boundaries, get acquainted, cooperative games, expectations for the week, skits for campfire planned.
4:00 p.m. All class meeting for GROUP SHARING of the day's experiences. Talk
about camp life and the rules. Sleeping gear is set out. Followed by free time & dinner preparation.
   6:30 p.m. Dinner served, followed by cleanup and free time.
   7:45 p.m. CAMPFIRE-songs, skits and stories led by Fieldguides' staff and
students.
8:45 p.m. Campfire ends, prepare for bed. All quiet by 10 p.m..

Drakes Bay.

Day 2 7:00-7:30 a.m. Everyone up.
8:00 a.m. Breakfast and cleanup.
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. LEADER'S CHOICE - Usually a hike through one or more natural communities: pygmy forest, redwoods, stream side, coastal strand, marsh, beach or tide pools.
Our leaders use a combination of mini-lessons, hands-on exploration
and nature games to teach about plant and animal adaptations,
geology, soils, ecology, natural cycles, and resources/conservation.
2:30 p.m. TREASURE HUNT - All class map making game.
4:00 p.m. GROUP SHARING, followed by free time.
6:30 p.m. Dinner and cleanup
8:00 p.m. NIGHT HIKES in study groups

Tide pool ladder transect.

Day 3 7:00-7:30 a.m. Everyone up. Breakfast and cleanup complete by 9 a.m.
9:30 a.m. Entire class to tidepools for a "LADDER TRANSECT"; students work
in pairs to document all life in a 2'x 2' square.
10:45 a.m. LEADER'S CHOICE (see above) with lunch on the trail.
4:00 p.m. GROUP SHARING, followed by free time.
6:30 p.m. Dinner - followed by free time.
8:15 p.m. Study groups meet for STARGAZING.

Beach barbeque and campfire.

Day 4 7:00-7:30 a.m. Everyone up. Breakfast and cleanup complete by 9 a.m..
9:30 a.m. LAND MANAGEMENT or CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS GAME -
The class is divided into special interest groups to plan and debate land use proposals for local property.
11:45 a.m. Lunch in camp.
12:30 p.m. Large scale mural is drawn by students to recreate the ladder transect.
1:30 p.m. SCAVENGER HUNT for items learned about during the week.
3:00 p.m. SAND SCULPTURE CONTEST. Followed by barbecue on the beach.
7:45 p.m. CAMPFIRE.

A fond farewell.

Day 5 7:00 a.m. Everyone up - pack gear.
8:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. All camp cleanup.
10:00 a.m. Study groups meet to evaluate, do a final activity, and say goodbyes.
11:00 a.m.- Noon. Bus arrives and students depart.

Video courtesy of Betty Borges and St Paul School.

A look inside one of Fieldguides coastal science programs! Hear from Fieldguides founder, James Camp and the staff, students and teachers that have worked with Fieldguides for years!