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…

Who do weserve ?

Pygmy Forest of Sonoma

Giant Forest of Sequoia

Sonoran Desert

Colorado River

CatalinaIsland

What does

Naturalists at Large

do ?

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.

Trail Group sizes of 9 to 14 studentsAlways with one instructor and one adult from your school

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.

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.

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.

All of our instructors are CPR and Wilderness 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: 5-7 minutesMedivac Helicopter: availableLaw Enforcement: 5 minutes

Join us at...

Mount Cross Camp

20 minutes north of Santa

Cruz on highway

9.

Welcome !

The camp features challenge courses, playing fields, a swimming pool, modern well kept accommodations, and wholesome meals. A variety of programs can be put together using these elements. Students can do the ropes course and climbing wall in addition to outdoor and environmental education.

Located in the Coastal Redwood Forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains

Take a close up view of the Santa Cruz Mountains Experience, which can be provided by Naturalists at Large for you and your students.

Mount Cross and the Coastal Redwood Forest are a wonderful backdrop for the study of Redwood Ecology, Environmental Science and the development of class unity through challenging activity.

Dine beneath towering redwoods.

We will have plenty of food waiting for you.

Meals are wholesome

affairs providing the nutrition needed for

active participants

There’s a variety of menu options from which to choose

Allergies and Special Food Needs

Program meals offer vegetarian food options.

For those with specific needs due to allergies or personal reasons, we suggest discussion with your faculty.

Naturalists at Large can help guide those with special diets to supplement their meals in ways which everyone can most easily manage.

There are some choices in lodging at Mount Cross.

Madrone Cabins are a circle of seven, single-room, heated cabins. There is a men’s and women’s restroom/shower building located in the center. Each cabin has five bunk beds to accommodate up to ten people.

The lodge has semi-private rooms varying in size accommodating 1-4 persons, shared restrooms and showers, a central meeting area for 20 -25 people, and a kitchenette.The dorm has two

faculty rooms on each side, as well as restroom and shower facilities in the middle of the dorm. Each room has either six or seven bunk beds.

majestic redwoods and refreshing streams.

You will walk, play and learn among…

Small Groups of 10-14 students and 2 adults

Group Challenges

Initiatives and…

The low elements of the course include the Wild Woosey, Spider's Web, The Wall, Islands, a Trust Fall, and Nitro Crossing.

Problem Solving

The Naturalists at Large ropes program is designed to introduce all students to this exciting activity. Students learn to work together and cooperate towards a common goal. Ropes instruction is complemented by challenge and initiative games that will foster greater group interaction.

The high-ropes course at Mt. Cross consists of a Burma Bridge, a Catwalk, a Multi-Vine Traverse, a Trapeze Leap, a Giant's Ladder, Islands in the Sky, and a Tube Net.

Lessons learned include trust in fellow students, increased ability to focus, and development of self-esteem. The few climbing skills acquired by the students focus on a safe and successful experience. The organization of ground school preparation and ropes sites are designed with this philosophy in mind.

The new climbing wall is fun and challenging

Study of human impact on old-growth and second-growth redwoodsIntroduction to environmental science conceptsCoastal range natural history and

ecology

Natural History Hikes

This is accomplished by introducing them to the natural and cultural history of the surrounding area while they explore the trails and study the various habitats.

Students will discover the unique natural and human history of the area, develop group cooperation through shared experiences, enhance leadership abilities, and learn basic outdoor skills. Naturalists at Large programs are designed to give the students a "sense of place".

Plant Identification

Journaling

Wildlife

Observation

Stream Study

The Mount Cross Camp is a fully self contained site with a variety of hiking trails, a year round stream and all camp facilities nestled within it’s own private land.

Seasonal Swimming Pool

Recreation Areas

Students are constantly encouraged to solve problems posed by the Naturalists at Large instructors, comprised of both intellectual problems and well thought-out and well executed physical problems (i.e. initiative activities). Each trail group is with a Naturalists at Large naturalist-instructor, and a faculty or parent chaperon each day for the entire program.

And a few other optional activities…

Journal & ReflectiveActivity

Map & CompassOrienteering

Animal Tracking

Creativity

Relaxation & Stretching

Fun Games

And after the sunset,

there’s still things to do…

Campfire

Night

Walk

Star studies and the night sky

Monterey Aquarium

Elkhorn Slough Kayak

Mount Cross Camp puts you in close proximity to great destinations for optional off-site activities.

Point Lobos

Natural Bridges

Punta de Ano Nuevo

The following is a sample three-day schedule that has been used by several schools. Four-day and five-day trips often add off-site options and allow for a more in-depth experience of the region. All Naturalists at Large trips are tailored to meet each school’s outdoor education goals.

(Day one)11:00 Arrive at Mount CrossCamp Bus greeters. Orientation to site, Staff and Faculty meetingBreak into trail groups / small group orientation and introductions. 12:00 Lunch1:00Move in to lodging2:00Begin Initiatives & Challenges6:30Dinner 7:30Evening Program: Night awareness and trust activities9:00Students released to faculty

(Day two)7:30Breakfast 9:00Groups A & B do redwood ecology hike, group initiatives. Groups C & D do low ropes12:00 Lunch by groups1:00Groups C & D do redwood ecology hike, group initiatives. Groups A & B do low ropes4:30Return to camp6:00Dinner 7:30Evening Program: Star study / Campfire9:00Students released to faculty

(Day three)7:30Breakfast8:15Pack8:45All gear staged and ready to load on bus 9:00Groups C & D do stream study and games. Groups A & B do high ropes11:30 Lunch by trail groups12:00 Groups A, B do stream study and games. Groups C & D do high ropes2:30Return to camp for debrief3:00Load gear on bus3:30School departs

DISCOVER IT !DISCOVER IT !

Ask about…

Allergies, Medications, and Special Dietary

Needs

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.

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).

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.

For more information

check us out at …