Or inquire via phone:
Karen Oxrider
424-234-3240
Sample Day
School & Group Field Science at Channel Islands
Leaving everything familiar behind, students study isolated landscapes and seascapes, experience unique animals and plants, and begin to think differently about the world and their place in it.
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NatureBridge at Channel Islands Directions  |
Sample Day
One of the best ways to get a sense of our programs at the Channel Islands is to check out our daily schedule. Below is a rough sketch of what a typical day might look like in each of our program locations.
7 a.m Wake up
Students rise each morning from their bunks in the boat’s berth to the sounds and delightful smells of breakfast being prepared in the galley. They will use this time to shower, dress, pack their backpacks, and prepare for the day. As they climb the stairs and peek out the windows, students experience for the first time the isolation and magnitude of the Channel Islands.
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
The galley crew on board will prepare ready-to-order hot meals in addition to a daily buffet of fruit, bread, and breakfast cereal. Breakfast meals often include pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, or eggs made your way. After breakfast, students will make and pack their own lunch and snacks for the day.
8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. Transportation on a skiff to the Islands
A skiff, which holds approximately eight people, will be used to shuttle trail groups to the islands. Each student wears a life jacket and is provided a wet bag to secure their personal belongings during the transport and landing on the island beach.
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Instructional day
During this time, you will be with your field science educator and hiking group of up to 15 students. Depending on your program, students may find themselves exploring an ancient forest, looking for a mammoth tusk, or collecting data on a remote beach. Our professional staff provides the activities and curriculum while chaperones assist in group management and the individual behavior needs of each student. Lunch will be enjoyed on the trail in a most spectacular setting.
4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Transportation on a skiff to the boat
During this time, the skiff will be used to shuttle everyone on the island back to the boat.
4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. Recreation time
This is a time students can use to shower and change, play board games, write in their journals, or look for whales and dolphins. A school may also use this time for structured learning activities. Teachers and chaperones supervise during recreation time. Depending on the weather, a skiff ride to and in the Painted Cave can be arranged.
6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Dinner
Dinner usually takes slightly less than an hour. The food is hot, nutritious, and plentiful. Meals such as salads, pasta, and hearty soups frequently appear on the menu. Yummy deserts follow.
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Evening program
Evening programs complement the material being presented during the day. These large-group programs are engaging, educational, and inspiring. Touch tanks, Van Dorn bottles, plankton tows, and a myths and legends activity may be experienced.
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Off to bed
This is the time for students to use bathrooms, change clothes, and brush their teeth. Older students may use this time to study in the galley, watch educational videos, or take some quiet time in the bunks. Teachers and chaperones supervise their students during this time. Lights out is typically 10 p.m.
There are limitless opportunities for learning and exploration in Channel Islands National Park, particularly in the water, so we encourage schools to consider adding kayaking and snorkeling and requesting a stewardship activity on a five-day program.
One of the best ways to get a sense of our island tent camping programs is to check out our daily schedule. Below is a rough sketch of what a typical day will look like for field science participants tent camping in the Channel Islands.
7 a.m. Wake up
Students will wake up in their tents to the sounds of isolated island nature. They will use this time to brush teeth, dress, and prepare for their day.
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
NatureBridge staff will prepare delicious hot camping food and will include fruit, bread, and breakfast cereal. After breakfast, students will take turns helping to clean up.
8:45 a.m. - 9 a.m. Clean up and get ready to hike
Take this time to use the facilities and finish packing your day pack. Students will take turns serving on the clean-up crew in order to learn about collaboration and personal responsibility.
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Instructional day
During this time you will be with your hiking group of up to 15 students. Our professional field science educators provide the activities and curriculum while chaperones assist in group management and with the behavioral needs of individual students. Lunch is distributed to the hiking groups and is typically eaten out on the trail. Depending on your school’s social and academic needs, we will design a customized thematic teaching day aligned with California Science Standards. Some examples of our instructional days include:
- Hiking and team initiatives along the bluffs to Potato Harbor.
- Learning about marine life by exploring tide pools.
- Participating in a stewardship project by monitoring the endemic island fox species.
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Recreation time
Students will return to the campground in time for an afternoon snack. Additionally, this is a time students can use to wash up and change, write in their journals, or play in the field. A school may also use this time for structured learning activities. Teachers and chaperones supervise during this time.
6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Dinner
Dinner usually takes slightly less than an hour. The food is hot, nutritious, plentiful, and kid-friendly. Meals such as mac and cheese, burritos, and pasta frequently appear on our camping menu.
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Evening program
Evening programs complement the material being presented during your field day. These large-group programs are engaging, educational, and inspiring. Some evening programs conducted on the Channel Islands are myths and legends, a night walk, and sharing and reflection around the campfire out under the stars.
8:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Off to bed
This is the time for students to use bathrooms, change clothes, and brush their teeth. Older students may use this time to socialize together or take some quiet time in the tents. Teachers and chaperones supervise their students during this time. Lights out is typically 10 p.m.
There are limitless opportunities for learning and exploration in Channel Islands National Park, particularly in the water, so we encourage schools to consider kayaking, snorkeling, and attending a full five-day program whenever possible!
Our most popular trip includes a four- to five-day program combining a stay in the Santa Monica Mountains and then traveling on to the Channel Islands. Below is a rough sketch of what a typical transition day from the mountains to the islands will look like for field science participants.
6:30 a.m Wake up
Students wake up earlier than usual on days when they transfer from the mountains to the islands so that they can get ready, break down camp, pack up luggage, and make the most out of their day.
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
Breakfast will be served buffet-style and earlier than usual in order to accommodate our transfer to the Santa Barbara Harbor and travel needs for the day. Breakfast items may include cereals, fruits, yogurt, granola, eggs, potatoes, and bacon.
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Shuttle to Leo Carrillo State Park
We will stagger the bus shuttling of students and luggage to Leo Carrillo by trail groups, so every trail group has a turn completing their morning stewardship duties on campus.
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Instructional day
A shorter day at Leo Carrillo will still give us enough time to incorporate a thematic teaching program. Thematic teaching days are based on California Science Standards and are customized to meet the social, physical, and academic needs of your students. Some the activities from an instructional day at Leo Carrillo include:
- Litter analysis reveals many things about how humans affect the environment. Students will gather, sort, and graph important data in order to understand their connection to the environment.
- Climate Change Steal the Bacon is an active lesson where students learn ways to positively make a difference in the world through more sustainable action.
- Nature art and journaling provides a time for silent reflection and evaluation as we explore current environmental issues.
1 p.m.- 3 p.m.Transfer to Santa Barbara Harbor
You will leave Leo Carillo and arrive at the Santa Barbara Harbor in about an hour and a half. Bus transportation between locations is provided.
3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Unload luggage onto live-aboard boat
Students will quickly unload the bus and transfer their luggage onto the boat and into the berths. They will also use this time to grab an outer layer and prepare their day packs for the rest of the day’s activities.
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ty Warner Sea Center
The Ty Warner Sea Center provides multiple opportunities for students to get their hands on tidepool creatures and even sharks! Students will learn that sometimes, scientists need to dive in to the water in order to get data. After making their way through the museum, they will gather again in their trail groups and complete the required boat orientation and safety activities.
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Dinner
Dinner takes place at a local pizza parlor. Students will take turns washing up and getting drinks while the pizza is prepared. We will eat in a large group dining room and socialize until everyone is full and happy.
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Evening program
A longer-than-usual evening program gives us time to include some educational activities that will complement the day’s events as well as give a thorough boat orientation.
8:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Recreation time
Students will have time to relax, unwind, play board games, socialize in the galley, or gaze at stars from the top deck. Teachers and chaperones will supervise at this time.
9:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Get ready for bed
We will use this time to brush teeth, change, and use the bathrooms on board to get ready for bed. All students must be in bed by 10 p.m. and may read quietly or write in their journals.
10:30 p.m. Lights out
While everyone is sleeping, the boat will depart around 4 a.m. to make its journey to the Channel Islands. Students will awake and have breakfast off the coast of one of islands before their hiking exploration.
Teachers & Administrators!
Reserve your 2012-2013 program by June 30th and get 10% off tuition.
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NatureBridge
28 Geary Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94108
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Contact:
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415-992-4711 Fax
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Email inquiries:
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