El Capitan Canyon, California

ACTIVITIES: EL CAPITAN CANYON, CALIFORNIA, USA

Coastal Marine Exploration: Students explore the sandy beach and rocky intertidal ecosystems and discover how their inhabitants have ecological “jobs” within their communities. Different critters serve as trash collectors, doctors, recyclers and more, making these marine ecosystems a perfect example for sustainable living.

Chaparral and Riparian Ecosystem Hikes: During terrestrial hikes in the chaparral and riparian ecosystems, student discover a large biodiversity of flora and fauna with various adaptations and living strategies that offer insights as to how these ecosystems function and achieve sustainability.

Kelp Forest Kayaking: Students paddle via kayak over Southern California’s kelp forests, exploring the connections between a variety of critters and communities, and comparing human cities to kelp forests, a “city under the sea.” Please note: kayaking availability subject to conditions, namely swell and wind.

Creek and Watershed Monitoring: Students measure their water footprint and monitor water quality of the local creeks and watersheds to gain a sense of how all life is supported by H20.

Solar Technology and Treats: Students learn about and even get a taste of renewable energy as we mathematically calculate the value of El Capitan Canyon’s solar heating panels and bake cookies for snacks in our solar oven.

Organic Gardening and Composting: Students learn how to grow or build their own home or school organic garden or compost with their best backyard friends: the FBI - fungus, bacteria, insects and worms.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Sustainable Waste): It’s time to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as students explore the truths behind the timeline of our trash and the creative alternative choices for everything everyday.

Ecological Footprint: Students learn and map out the global footprint of our day-to-day “stuff.”

Chumash Native American History and Culture Campfire: A Native Chumash Elder tells her culture’s stories about how all plants, animals and people came to be and learned from nature how to live sustainably.

Night Nocturnals: Allow your eyes and ears to adapt like the local, nocturnal animals to meet challenges at night.

Astronomy: Stargazing with state-of-the-art telescopes from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Museum.

Nature Art, Music and Journaling: Whether making nature paints, singing songs along with our nature orchestra, or journaling our scientific and personal observations, students deepen and commemorate their experiences and appreciations of all that is natural.

EcoTeam Challenges: Students participate in ecologically based team-building games and high ropes challenges that deepen our environmental, self and community connections and awareness.