Custom outdoor education trips for your school.

1. for over Twenty Years

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

4. What does Naturalists at Large do ?

5. TEAM BUILDING ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE OUTDOOR SKILLS Native & Pioneer History Group Retreats

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.

9. Our Instructors

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.

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: 15 minutes Medivac Helicopter: Varies Law Enforcement: 5 minutes

14. Calaveras Big Trees State Park

16. Where is this place ?

17. The park is northeast of Stockton, four miles northeast of Arnold on Highway 4. 160 miles from San Francisco.

18. Calaveras became a State Park in 1931 to preserve the North Grove of giant sequoias. This grove includes the "Discovery Tree", the first Sierra redwood noted by Augustus T. Dowd in 1852. This area has been a major tourist attraction ever since, and is considered the longest continuously operated tourist facility in California.

20. Where's our 5 star hotel room ?

21. UH...Right Here!

22. We found it !

23. MEAL TIME

24. Food Meals are wholesome affairs providing the nutrition needed for active participants There’s a variety of menu options from which to choose

26. Group Challenges

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. Environmental Education

30. Educational Themes can include: A Sense of Place. Geology of the Sierra Nevada Mountains Birds of the Sierra Tree identification Plants and Animals Black Bears The conifer forest High Sierra weather Plant and animal adaptations

31. Wildlife Observation

32. Flowers and Forests

34. Self Discoverd Learning

36. STANISLAUS RIVER

38. Museum & Visitor Center

40. Observe Wildlife

41. Fire Ecology

42. PLANT IDENTIFICATION

44. THESE... COME FROM THESE

45. AND GIVE US THESE

46. And a few other optional activities… Journal & Reflective Activity Map & Compass Orienteering Animal Tracking

47. Creativity Relaxation & Stretching Fun Games

48. And after the sun goes down...

49. 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. Night Hike

51. Star studies and the night sky

52. Campfire

53. A Typical Day 7:30 Breakfast 9:00 Groups A and B do journal activities, redwood ecology hike, group initiatives. Groups C and D hike and do stream study 12:00 Lunch by groups 1:00 Groups C and D do journal activities, redwood ecology hike, group initiatives. Groups A and B hike and do stream study 4:30 Return to camp for large group games 6:00 Dinner 7:30 Evening Program: Night walk and star study 9:00 Students released to faculty

54. A great adventure for the group… And the individual.

55. Calaveras Big Trees State Park

56. Allergies, Medications, Special Dietary Needs Ask us about…

57. 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.

58. 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.

59. Plastic bag protection. A half dozen, 1 or 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.

60. www.natsatlarge.com For more information check us out at …