Come spend a day with us in beautiful Solvang at the Hans Christian Anderson Park for a Treewalk sponsored by NatureTrack:

“The not-for-profit NatureTrack advocates the educational approach of noted author and educator David Sobel that fosters a child’s love of the earth while also developing a child’s academic and social competence. David Sobel’s most recent book “Place-Based Education: Connecting Classrooms & Communities” offers scientific and anecdotal evidence that placed-based education is successfully meeting, and in many cases surpassing, the various standards and mandates that are increasingly a part of educational reform in this country.”

You can read more about NatureTrack here: https://naturetrack.org/about/

They are arranging docents for us to focus on biology and tree species identification.

Cost: Free

Who: Everyone

Time:  Field Trip Begins at 10:30, please arrive by 10:15

Additional information/What to bring:

• We will be splitting up into two groups so that the docents can give plenty of attention to each student.  We have also been instructed to “make large, legible nametags that adhere or attach well to the students.(Please also make them for adults and denote if Teacher, Parent, or Aide)”  I will make the nametags for everyone who is signed up.  I will probably make a necklace with yarn and cardstock, but if you and your kids want to make your own name tags for fun, let me know.  I don’t think the sticker ones we usually use is what they are looking for.
•  We will be eating lunch on the trail, as I understand it.  They ask that each student has their own backpack with two water bottles and lunch.   Just make sure you bring enough food and water for yourself and your kids with you on the walk – if you want to carry it all, or have your kids carry their own is up to you.
• Parents attending will be asked to participate in all activities with the exception of answering questions intended for the students!
• Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones or cameras with them on the trail.  Parents may have a cell phone/camera, but they would like parents to set a good example in not using them on the trip.  I think it is fine for the parents to take some pictures or use a cell phone if necessary, but please make sure it is not a distraction.
•  Participants should wear long pants, closed toed sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen.
• If you have any questions about this field trip, email me at bonnieadair@verizon.net so I can be sure to ask.

Optional: Mrs. Tromans will lead us in a nature art project after we are done with our docent led walk.  This will be a great opportunity for the kids to process what we have learned, make something for their school portfolio, and maybe even make some art to submit for our upcoming fine arts festival in May.  Bring some colored pencils and your nature sketch book if you have them.  Another idea I had is to visit Ostrich Land. https://www.ostrichlandusa.com/ , and we could even meet up together for breakfast before the field trip if any of you are adventurous/crazy enough to get up and go that early =)

Sign Up:  The more the merrier! We would really like to have some more families join us.  I know it’s a drive, but Solvang is a wonderful place to visit, Hans Christian Anderson Park is awesome, and I am really excited about this nature field trip.  I have not been able to find any comparable field trip offerings in Ventura County.