Why Mission Springs?

In the course of my 23 years of education, I have had the opportunity to participate in several Outdoor Education Programs as a classroom teacher, a parent, a Science specialist, and as an administrator.  I would rank Mission Springs Outdoor Education program at the top of the list for getting the “most bang for your buck” for several reasons – including the diversity of class offerings, the level of training of the Naturalists, the location, and the accommodations.

The classes offered by the staff at MSOE are always changing to meet the needs of the diverse students they serve.  Each class covers multiple California state science standards while promoting a hands-on learning style.  Students are asked to be visual, auditory, as well as kinesthetic learners – all in a non-threatening environment.  Basically, the classes are so fun, the kids don’t realize how much information they’re really learning!

The second reason I would recommend Mission Springs for Outdoor education is the quality of instruction the Naturalists present.  Each Naturalist has at least a Bachelor’s degree, usually in an education or science field of study, plus they are observed and given feedback by the more seasoned Naturalists.  It is fairly common to see the same Naturalist for several years in a row – indicating that they’re having as much fun as the kids!

The location of Mission Springs allows students to explore and observe four to five distinct natural habitats – all within the span of a few days.  These habitats include: the coastal redwood forest, the riparian stream, the mixed evergreen forest, the chaparral, and optionally, the beach.  Rather than take five separate and expensive field trips, students are exposed to all – making it easier for comparisons between the various habitats to be observed and recorded.

Finally, the accommodations at Mission Springs Outdoor Education are very clean and comfortable. This may not seem like an important criterion to many educators when selecting where to spend their students’ time and money.  Having dealt with uncomfortable parents and students at other camps, however, I stand firmly behind the notion that a comfortable chaperone is a happy and productive chaperone!  The meals are very good, and individuals’ dietary needs are taken into consideration.

In summary, I would without reservation recommend Mission Springs Outdoor Education to any school fortunate enough to have parents, students and a staff that support this unique style of learning!

Dawn Vollmar

Science and Technology Coordinator

Foulks Ranch Elementary School