Homeschool Programs

Our homeschool nature programs are recognized internationally as being at the forefront of the nature connection movement. We utilize core routines of nature awareness and cultural mentoring techniques to connect kids to the land, themselves, and each other. We offer homeschool nature immersion programs for ages 3 to 18. Each program meets once per week for 4-6 hours from fall through spring, for a total of 30 weeks. Our programs run Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in 4 different locations: Huddart Park (Woodside), Waldorf After School (Santa Cruz), Tunitas Creek (Half Moon Bay), and UC Santa Cruz Arboretum. Each day begins with a large group circle where students share appreciation, and it ends with the “story of the day.” We break into small groups (ratio of 8-9 students per instructor) for hands-on skills training and explorations of the landscape. Parents are invited each season for campouts or “family days.”

Programs Offered

Nest to Fledge – 3-5 years old, plus parents
NEWTS – 6-8 years old
KESTRELS – 9-12 years old
Teen – 13-18 years old

Our curriculum focuses on the core routines of nature awareness, which include

• hazard identification
• experiential games
• journaling
• tracking
• sit spots (choosing a spot in nature to visit on a regular basis)
• extended wanders
• plant uses (medicinal, edible, and traditional uses)
• storytelling
• music
• hands-on wild crafting and survival skills
• sensory awareness training
• the language of the birds

Note- these programs are very popular, and most programs have wait lists. To be added to our wait list, please fill out this form.

Nature Awareness Youth Programs – UC Santa Cruz Arboretum

This program enables children to create deep connections to the natural world in the surroundings of one of the most diverse plant collections of our region, at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum. Students explore the environment through their senses, games, wildcrafting, animal studies, plant observations, wilderness safety, animal tracking, wanders and sit spots on the landscape. Our instructors are highly experienced mentors of youth in nature, and our proven approach uses Cultural Mentoring and Best Practices in nature connection.

30 Wednesdays, September 2011 – May 2012

Two concurrent programs, 9 students per instructor

NEWTS – Ages 6-8, 9 am – 2 pm

KESTRELS – Ages 9-12, 9 am – 3 pm

Instructors – Ken Clarkson and Caitlin Williams

Program Pricing

NEWTS  $2000 – price includes a 30-week program plus a two-day overnight family camp in spring

KESTRELS  $2200 – price includes a 30-week program plus 2 three-day overnight camping trips

Limited Scholarships are available. Click here to register or to apply for a scholarship. Click here to sign up for our homeschool program wait list.