WOLF School offers K-8th grade environmental education programs where students can explore, discover and make hands-on connections between classroom learning and the world around them. Programs are community-centered, standards-based and give students the opportunity to gain academic knowledge in a safe and positive outdoor environment. Students and teachers live and learn in a school community designed to promote life skills acquisition and subject area development. Our experienced educational staff provides excellent academic programs and field study opportunities as well as leading meals, group building and fun educational evening activities.

Choose from our existing program topics, or design your own. We work with you to create an excellent learning experience for your school group—from in-class presentations to week-long educational adventures!

Your Choice of Programs at our Northern California Locations - Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Sierra Foothill areas!

Outdoor Science School – Experience hands-on science education in the beauty of the redwoods, at the beach or in sierra pine forests. Students explore and discover the concepts of Energy, Cycles, Change, Adaptations, Communities, Interdependence and Diversity through exciting field study activities on the trail, group building initiatives, fun songs, active games and living together in a community. Curriculum is based on California Science Standards.

California Living History Program – Journey through California’s Gold Rush or Resource History and learn about native peoples, our environment, the Gold Rush and our natural resources through the eyes of Native Americans, immigrants, pioneers and prospectors. Students will participate in such activities as ethnobotany hikes, Native American studies on the trail, pioneer crafts, historic activities, campfires and science / natural history activities as well as living in a community. Curriculum is based on California History-Social Science Standards.

WOLF PACC (Personal Awareness Community Commitment) Program – Challenge your students to learn the keys to successful interaction, responsibility and personal growth through leadership and initiative activities in a beautiful outdoor retreat or camp-style setting. Students participate in field study activities on the trail including mental and physical challenges, learning about positive choices, cooperation and respect, as well as science and natural history study inspired by the outdoor surroundings.

Customized Programs – Design or combine a program for your students. Create a program designed for your school’s particular goals and needs. Our programs can incorporate a combination of the programs listed above—science and group building, or history and science—as well as other possible content areas. Custom programs can include such topics as Santa Cruz area history, Native American studies, water resources, geology, etc. and added seasonal field trips. We also offer in-class presentation and naturalist consultant services. Contact the WOLF School Office for more information about Customized Programs.

Field Trips – Add a field trip to your students’ residential environmental education experience. For an additional fee and/or the cost of transportation, WOLF offers seasonal field trips to various state parks, science and history locations including: Natural Bridges State Beach (Santa Cruz), Goat Rock Beach (Sonoma Coast State Beach), Forest of Nisene Marks State Park (Aptos), Malakoff Diggins Historic Park (Nevada City area), the Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey), Apex Adventures Ropes Courses (Santa Cruz), Seacliff State Beach (Santa Cruz), Wilder Ranch State Historic Park (Santa Cruz), the Mystery Spot (Santa Cruz), Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park (Sierra foothills), Jack London State Park (Glen Ellen) and more! Contact the WOLF School Office for more information about Field Trips.

In-Class Presentations – The WOLF School offers in-class presentations to supplement your regular classroom instruction. All presentations include standards-based hands-on activities, songs, active games and student-centered discussion. Topics include: Animals! Animals!, Amazing Plants, California’s Gold Rush, Native American History, Geology Rocks!, Salamanders, Water Cycle and Watersheds, Group Building and Challenge Activities, Design Your Own. Contact the WOLF School Office for information about our In-Class Presentations.

All Web of Life residential outdoor education programs provide healthy meals, lodging, curriculum, teacher handbook, preparation materials, professional education staff and support from the WOLF School office in coordinating your program.