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Redwood Ecology & Team Building
Memorial County Park, 3D/2N (Fall Camping) Interpersonal Skills: Communication, Team Building, Self-Awareness Technical Skills Focus: Navigation, Maps, Shelter Day 1: Welcome Team building games, Tent set-up, Nature journals, Sit-spots Line Dance & Short campfire Day 2: Pomponio trail hike Natural History/Creek Walk, Maps Campfire & N’mores Day 3: Looking In & Out Sensory awareness, Solo hikes, Final group challenge activity, Trip reflections Alternate Locations: Portola Redwoods State Park, Sam P. Taylor State Park, Sam McDonald State Park If these trips look interesting to you, you might also be interested in our other Coastal Science programs available for middle school students!
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Coastal Science, Kayaking & Wilderness Skills
Salt Point State Park, 4D/3N (Spring Camping) Interpersonal Skills: Communication, Team Building, Self-Awareness Technical Skills Focus: Navigation continued & Fire Building Day 1: Arrival Opening journal activity/goal setting, Set-up tents, Maps Star gazing & short campfire (students assist in building the fire) Day 2: Kayaking & Coastal Exploration Hike to stump beach & explore coastline, Sea Kayaking with WaterTreks Night hike & short campfire (students assist in building the fire) Day 3: Hike to Pygmy Forest Web of Life (connections between organisms within an ecosystem & group dynamics), Group games (focus on understanding different perspectives) Campfire (students assist in building the fire) & N’mores Day 4: Final challenge, Trip reflections/planning for next year (journals) Alternate Locations: Russian Gulch, Point Reyes |
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Our 7th Grade Program focuses on problem-solving and collaboration and gets students out backpacking. Students will build upon their wilderness skills with a focus on navigation using a map and compass and learn more about backcountry meal planning. In the fall we will go on a combination camping/backpacking trip to introduce students to backpacking. In the spring, we will embark on a longer backpacking trip where students will be responsible for leading sections of the trip to practice their navigation and leadership skills. Below you will find brief sample itineraries at two of our favorite locations for these trips.
Introduction to Backpacking
Henry W. Coe State Park, 4D/3N (Fall Camping/Backpacking) Interpersonal Skills Focus: Problem-Solving, Collaboration Technical Skills Focus: Map/Compass, Topography, Backcountry Cooking Day 1: Manzanita Group Campground (walk-in, 2-3miles) Arrival at Henry W. Coe HQ, Introduction to map & compass, Students navigate to the campground, Camp set-up (tents & tarps) Star Gazing & Short Campfire Day 2: Backpack to Poverty Flat and/or Los Cruzeros Campground Individual hike prep & group gear distributed, contour theory with maps, hike to campsites (students are once again in charge of navigation) Introduction to stoves Day 3: Return to Manzanita Group Campground Large group games, More map work, Backpacking reflections (personal gear, challenges, strengths), Campfire (students make the fire) & N-mores Day 4: Pack-up campsite & hike out Looking ahead (look at route for spring trip - distance & elevation), final reflections & journaling activity Alternate Backpacking/Camping Combo Locations: Point Reyes National Seashore, Mendocino National Forest, Tahoe National Forest, Trinity Alps Wilderness (fall only) |
Backpacking the California Coastline
Pt. Reyes, 4D/3N (Spring Backpacking) Interpersonal Skills Focus: Time management, Taking Initiative Technical Skills Focus: Route Planning, Backcountry Cooking Trip Overview: Students will review all skills learned so far (map, compass, tents, knots, stoves) and begin to take more responsibility with meal preparation. During the trip, we will also spend time planning and preparing for next fall. Students will help plan the route & menu and prepare to take on leadership roles. Students will work on taking initiative and making decisions (when will we need to start hiking each day, when should dinner prep take place, how long should our hiking breaks be, how do we motivate the group to get moving). These discussions and practice taking initiative will prepare the students to take on major leadership roles during the 8th grade backpacking trip. Alternate Spring Backpacking Locations: Mendocino National Forest, Tahoe National Forest, Henry W. Coe State Park, |
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As our final trip in our multi-year program, 8th grade students will utilize all their skills as they embark on a culminating backpacking expedition. During the trip, the students will be largely responsible for leading the expedition. The fieldguides will help to facilitate each aspect of the trip, but the students will be taking charge for a large portion of the trip. This program includes a virtual in class session so students can be more intimately involved in the trip planning process.
Week-long Backpacking Expedition Emigrant Wilderness, 5D/4N (Fall Backpacking) Interpersonal Skills Focus: Leadership, Independence, Confidence Technical Skills Focus: Putting it all together (utilizing all skills learned) Alternate Fall Backpacking Locations: Mendocino National Forest, Tahoe National Forest, Point Reyes National Seashore, Trinity Alps Wilderness |
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