Point Reyes National Seashore offers a variety of free, curriculum-based, ranger-led programs for students Kindergarten-8th grades.

Reservations for Ranger-led Education Programs for the 2008-2009 school year became available on August 4, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. September and October are virtually full, as are April and May.

EDUCATION PROGRAM RESERVATION FORM (32 KB Microsoft Word document)

Call Mary Beth Shenton at 415-464-5139 if you have any questions.

Programs Offered
Grades K-3 - Wild about Wildlife
Grades 3-4 - Kule Loklo
Grade 4 - Point Reyes Lighthouse
Grades 4-5 - Marine Life
Grades 6-8 - Whale Watching
Grades 6-8 - Elephant Seal Watching
Grades 6-8 - Monitoring Creek Health

Grades K-3 - Wild about Wildlife
Students discover the diversity of wildlife within Point Reyes National Seashore in this 3-tiered approach. Through a series of activities, games, and stories, kindergarteners are introduced to the concept of wild animals. First and second graders focus on the interrelationship of animals and their habitats, while third graders learn about ecosystems, and adaptations. Takes place at Bear Valley. Bus accessible. Offered September through May, Tuesday - Friday, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Duration 1 hr.

See corresponding:
State of California Kindergarten Standards
State of California First Grade Standards
State of California Second Grade Standards
State of California Third Grade Standards

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Grades 3-4 - Kule Loklo
Students learn about the traditions and land-use ethics of the Coast Miwok people as they tour a recreated village at Bear Valley. Bus accessible. Offered September through May, Tuesday - Friday, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Duration 1 hr.

See corresponding:
State of California Third Grade Standards
State of California Fourth Grade Standards

Grade 4 - Point Reyes Lighthouse
In addition to touring the Point Reyes Lighthouse and viewing its original clockworks, students use nautical charts and maps to determine why it was important to build a lighthouse at Point Reyes. Takes place at the lighthouse. Bus accessible. Offered September through May, Thursdays & Fridays, at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Duration 1 hr.

See corresponding:
State of California Fourth Grade Standards

Grade 4-5 - Marine Life
After completing the pre-visit curricula on oceanography and marine biology, students use spotting scopes and binoculars to watch  migratory gray whales. Migratory whale watching (March through May) takes place at the lighthouse. Bus accessible. Thursdays & Fridays, at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Duration 1 hr.

See corresponding:
State of California Fourth Grade Standards
State of California Fifth Grade Standards

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Grades 6-8 - Whale Watching
Students learn about the life and adaptations of Pacific gray whales as they watch for these ocean giants migrating past the Point Reyes peninsula. Takes place at the lighthouse. Bus accessible. Offered March through early May, Thursdays & Fridays, at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Duration 1 hr.

Observing Pacific Gray Whales Curriculum Guide 170 pages (840 KB PDF)

Grades 6-8 - Elephant Seal Watching
Using spotting scopes and binoculars, students bear witness to yearly arrival of the elephant seals and learn about the behaviors of these deep sea giants. Takes place near the lifeboat station. NOT bus accessible. Carpools required. Offered January and February, Tuesday - Friday, at 10:30 a.m. Duration 2 hrs.

Discovering Northern Elephant Seals Curriculum Guide 158 pages (1.7 MB PDF)

Grades 6-8 - Monitoring Creek Health
Students learn how to monitor the health of a creek through hands-on tests and observations. Must complete in-class curriculum prior to visit. Takes place at Bear Valley. Bus accessible. Offered September through May, Tuesday - Friday, at 10:30 a.m. Duration 2 hrs.

Monitoring Creek Health Curriculum Guide 117 pages (1.8 MB PDF)

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