Day Programs Offered at Rancho El Chorro

The Day Programs offer amazing hands-on experiences for elementary students in a natural setting. These Field Study Sessions are 2 ½ hours in length (M-F, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm) and are offered for students in grades Kindergarten through 4th grade. All students and adults are required to wear close-toed shoes and long pants for safety reasons. Outdoor picnic facilities are provided for all school groups. Storage is available for lunches and beverages. Extended or All Day Programs are now available (grades 1-4) so you can make the most of your field experience and bus transportation costs. Stay after lunch until 2:00 pm so your students can participate in additional activities. See the descriptions below. Fees are charged on a per person basis. In addition to the classroom teacher, we recommend 1-2 parent chaperones per class. Younger siblings or strollers are not permitted. Please call (805) 782-7336 or email Amie Linscott to arrange your reservation.

Program Descriptions

Grade K - Discovery Hike
Main Concept: Living and non-living components in the environment can be observed, described, and classified using the senses. Students identify different groups of plants and animals and study forms of water. They visit the watershed model, the garden, play a game, hike along the creek trail, and visit the science lab. Hike Outline and Standards Correlation

Grade 1 - Big Blue Marble
Main Concept: An ecosystem is made up of many habitats in which groups of living things can be observed. Students identify and compare various habitats, describe food chains and identify and compare living and non-living components of an ecosystem. They hike along the creek trail, visit the pond, bird blind, raptor center, and marine science classroom. Hike Outline and Standards Correlation

Extended Day Activities: Students will dive deeper into the study of habitats with some opportunities to build their own shelter. All kids love building forts. Students will also build a bird buffet. The sparrows and jays will enjoy the food and the students will enjoy watching them.

Grade 2 - Our Changing Planet
Main Concept: Living and non-living components in the environment go through cycles and patterns of change. Students learn about cycles within the plant and animal kingdoms and the physical world. They will hike along the creek trail, visit the pond, garden, rock garden, science lab, and life sciences classroom. Hike Outline and Standards Correlation

Extended Day Activities:  Students will complete further investigations into the cycles in nature.  They will complete a soils investigation, build a compost pile, and study plants.

Grade 3 - Native American Life
Main Concept: All civilizations have similarities that effect their surrounding environment. Through discussion, observation and participation in representative Native American activities, the student will gain awareness and appreciation for the use of plants, animals, and other natural resources. They will visit the Native American museum, village, garden, mortar site, and will face paint. Hike Outline and Pre-lessons

Extended Day Activities:  Students will learn to use a topography map and compass to navigate around the campus.  They will discuss and act out hunting skills and techniques used by the Native Americans.  Or teachers may choose the Starlab Planetarium program.

Grade 4 - Changing California
Main Concept: To understand cultural and environmental changes that occurred as a result of people living in and migrating to California in search of natural resources. Students will study six periods of California history including Native Americans, mission era, Mexican California, Gold Rush, statehood and industrial era, and modern day. Hike Outline and Standards Correlation California Timeline

Extended Day Activities:  Students will make real adobe bricks and help build a wall.  They will use gold found while gold panning to buy sarsaparilla at the trading post and learn more about agriculture in California.  Or teachers may choose the Starlab Planetarium program.