Day 1 :
Embark on your Outdoor Education Program
- Arrival in Ventura, California:
Our 24-hour Tour Director will meet us at Ventura Harbor, and remain with the group until departure. We will load our luggage onto the ferry and participate in group icebreakers en route to the islands.
- Afternoon arrival:
Upon arrival to Santa Cruz Island, we will unload our camping gear from the boat and hike to our campsite.
- Set-up and orientation:
We will take time to set up our campsite and participate in a safety orientation to prepare us for the days ahead. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided daily.
- Late afternoon hike:
Later, we will hike to Potato Harbor, one of the prettiest anchorages on Santa Cruz. Keep your eyes peeled for the island fox and other native species. En route we will participate in team building activities.
- Team dinner:
Upon arrival back to camp, students will learn how to safely cook in the outdoors and assist with preparing dinner for the group.
- Evening activity:
Tonight, we will take a night walk along the beach. We will debrief our day and will enjoy tales of the local area before returning to camp.
- Daily reflection and group discussion:
"We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey On every evening of the program, we will set time aside to update our Reflection Journal and share thoughts and impressions that have come to the fore in the course of the day.
Day 2 :
Western Caves Kayak Tour
- Intro to Sea Kayaking:
This morning we will meet at Scorpion Anchorage and gear up for our kayaking adventure! We will kayak and snorkel around the Western caves and coves. Our guide will show us the beautiful kelp forest along the pristine coastline and point out the unique flora and fauna. We will have the chance to discuss the marine ecology and natural history of the islands while viewing the sea life up close.
- Free time at the beach:
Upon our return to the beach we will enjoy some free time before departing on an afternoon hike.
- Scorpion Canyon:
We will enjoy a hike to Scorpion Canyon. Our guide will discuss the natural and cultural history of the area with us en route. This hike is approximately 4 miles long.
- Games and dinner:
After free time at camp to play sports and games, volunteers from our group will help prepare dinner.
- Post-dinner workshop:
After dinner the group will participate in a nocturnal adaptations workshop. Nocturnal animals are often well equipped to survive in the dark. Many nocturnal animals have large eyes to make the most of the light available while others rely on different senses such as sound, smell or touch. In this workshop we will discuss a wide variety of nocturnal animals and have the chance to touch, hold and interact with them.
Day 3 :
Smuggler’s Cove and Scorpion Beach
- Smuggler’s Cove Hike:
This morning we will enjoy a seven-mile round trip hike to Smuggler's Cove. Historically, this secluded beach was popular with smugglers, all the way back to the Spanish colonial era. The area supported a lot of bootleggers during Prohibition, and remnants of the smuggling past can still be found.
- Snorkeling:
Later, we will we will return to Scorpion Beach for self-guided snorkeling and free time.
- Taking turns in the outdoor kitchen:
Tonight, volunteers from our group will help prepare dinner.
- Post-dinner stargazing:
Tonight, we will stargaze at Cypress Grove or Cavern Point. We will also have reflective time to review what we have experienced so far.
Day 4 :
Eastern Caves Kayak Tour
- Sea kayaking:
This morning we will explore Eastern caves and coves on our kayaks. Our guides will continue to educate us on the natural features of the island.
- Team building activities:
This afternoon we will return to camp for lunch followed by team building, skit practice, and free time.
- Taking turns in the outdoor kitchen:
Tonight, volunteers from our group will help prepare dinner.
- Final evening showcase:
This evening we will show off our skits that we’ve been working on in small groups the past few days.
Day 5 :
Depart for Home
- Final morning on the islands:
This morning we will breakdown our campsite to prepare for our departure later today. Before departure we will enjoy a closing ceremony to wrap up our time on Santa Cruz Island.
- Farewell!:
Today we head home as our rewarding and enjoyable Outdoor Education in the Channel Islands program comes to an end.
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