Los Padres National Forest

Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center 2009 Events

Tots and Teachers Program Added to Spring Activities at Wheeler Gorge

The Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center will host two new programs this spring, Bringing Nature into your School, an all-day educators workshop offered on March 28 from 9 am to 3 pm and Toddler Time: Dance, Music, Art and Drama from April 2 to June 4 every Thursday afternoon from 1 to 2:30 pm.

The themes in both programs will be connecting our youth to nature and how we can help our youth from developing nature deficit disorder. Nature deficit disorder is a term coined by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods (2005), who chronicles the lack of nature experiences in our youth to disorders that follow.

Husband and wife team Jim and Mary Crammer, retired educators with PhD's in education, will lead the Bringing Nature into your School Program. Utilizing Project WILD, Project WET, and other widely-used conservation and environmental education programs implemented by educators in the kindergarten through high school levels our participants will discover creative and cost effective ways to bring nature into the classroom, playgrounds and parks. For more information and a flyer contact Mary and Jim at 805-640-9060. Reservations requested. Cost $10.00.

On the same day, March 28 at 10:30 am, Wheeler Gorge Docent Barbara Baron will offer her Babes in the Woods program which will take parents and caregivers with their children, infants to 4 year of age, on a gentle stroll to see, touch, and smell the wonders of nature. At the end, you will receive a handout on Bonding Children with Nature. Donations are $3 adults, kids free.

Los Padres Forest Association event coordinator and grant writer Christa Hastie will direct our 10-week Toddler Time: Dance, Music, Art and Drama Program using nature focused dance, music, drama and art to foster appreciation and stewardship of our environment. In addition, the program will promote language development, imagination, coordination, and social interaction.

Costumes and stage props will be created. Dances, songs, and acts will be practiced. At the end of the program an evening performance will be held for parents and friends. Ages 18 months to 5 years old. Fee $50.00/Child. Thursdays from 1-2:30 pm. For more information or to enroll call 805-646-9505. Spaces fill quickly!!!

Also new for this spring is our Egg Hunt, Crafts & Games event on April 11 from 12 am to 2 pm. Free activities, crafts, programs, popcorn and parking. The egg hunt will start at 1 pm sharp. Bring a lunch and stay for afternoon.

Not new, but improved, is this year's Rose Valley Lakes 5th Annual Youth Fishing Derby on May 2 at 8 am. No admission fee this year! A total of over $700.00 in prizes will be awarded in two age groups 4-9 and 10-15 years old at two lakes. Adventure passes are required and will be available at the event - $5.00 for the day or $30.00 for the year. The event is sponsored by the Los Padres Forest Association, the Los Padres National Forest, and the Fillmore Fish Hatchery.

The Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center operates under a special-use permit between the Los Padres Forest Association and the Los Padres National Forest. The Center is located on Scenic Highway 33, 8 miles north of Ojai and across the highway from the Wheeler Gorge Campground. The drive time is approximately thirty minutes from the city of Ventura and fifteen minutes from Ojai.

US Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest
Last Modified: 02/12/09