Mission Springs Outdoor Education utilizes hands-on science and team-building activities to foster each student's relationship with his or her Creator and to promote good stewardship of God's creation.
All of our activities, from classes to campfires, are designed to foster both academic and spiritual growth. Naturalists intentionally weave spiritual lessons into their outdoor science classes.
During campfires, this integration of faith and learning continues when Naturalists share from their own experiences. Students are challenged to grow in their relationship with Christ during their week at Mission Springs. Naturalists usually teach the same group of students all week so they can develop relationships with them and be available to listen.
Our highly qualified Naturalists are Christians who have been selected for the following:
- Love and knowledge of God and His creation,
- Bachelors degree,
- Previous experience teaching or working with children,
- First Aid / CPR certification and fingerprint clearance.
Click on each item below to view a PDF of the topic.
Our classes focus on God’s creation, environmental stewardship, and team building. Classes are taught by Mission Springs Naturalists with supervisory assistance from chaperones that the school provides. All classes involve some hiking. Class size varies from 15 to 20 depending on the number of students attending that week. This year, you will have the option of selecting which classes your students will participate in. You will be asked to make class selections 1 month prior to your trip.
NATURALIST 101 (required class)
This introductory class utilizes team-building activities to introduce the students to Mission Springs, their Naturalist, and hiking group for the week. Emergency procedures and student expectations and guidelines are also discussed.
WILD KINGDOM
This class will give students the opportunity to explore and develop their observational skills while learning about the different roles God has given to animals in an ecosystem. Students will touch on topics like predator prey relationships, food chains, and the interconnectedness of animals and their habitat.
BRANCHING OUT
This class takes students on a journey through the three ecosystems God has created at Mission Springs. Students will learn what characterizes each ecosystem and identify various plants and trees from each habitat. Students will develop their observational skills, as they use all five senses to explore each ecosystem.
GET GROWING
Students will get their hands dirty as they work in our organic teaching garden, learn the importance of composting, and see how food is grown.
AQUATIC LIFE
Students will become water scientists, conducting several tests to determine the water quality of the local Mission Springs stream. Students will explore concepts such as water conservation, pollution prevention, watersheds, aquatic life and food cycles.
NIGHT HIKE (required class)
Students will be guided on an adventure through the trails in the dark, listening to night sounds, learning about night vision and nocturnal creatures, and exploring the night sky. Naturalists encourage students to put their trust in the Lord by doing a short solo hike without flashlights.
GO GREEN!
Students will learn about taking care of God’s creation through interactive investigations of energy, renewable and non-renewable resources, recycling and solar energy. Weather permitting, students will get to experiment with our solar equipment and bake a treat in the solar oven.
CLIMBING TOWER & ROCK ON!
Students will climb a 40-foot rock wall. Naturalists will instruct students in climbing safety and techniques. Students will also participate in a geology journal activity.
DOWN TO EARTH
In this class, students will learn the basic principles of geology and the changes that occur to the earth over time. Students will explore concepts such as soil formation, impacts of erosion, plate tectonics, and the rock cycle.
TEAM TRUST
Team Trust will help to build and strengthen relationships between peers, chaperones and teachers. Students will learn to work as a team as they are challenged by a variety of group games and initiatives. These activities are designed to develop communication and problem solving skills.
ORIENTEERING
In this class, students will learn basic orienteering skills – how to use a compass and map. These skills are vital to navigating in the outdoors. For the final exam, students will have to find their way back to camp using the compass and map.
MEET THE NATIVES
Students will go back in time as they learn about the history and culture of the Ohlone people who once lived here. Students will compare the traditional hunting and gathering techniques of the Ohlone people to the way we grow and produce our food today, as they get their hands dirty in our organic teaching garden.
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