During a 5-day program six of the following courses will be taught. In a 4-day program, either 4 or 5 courses will be taught. Courses are chosen by each school.
Click below for schedule details.
Four Day Program, Five Day Program.
There are twelve curriculum units from which to choose. Brief descriptions with links to download can be found below.
Giant Sequoia:
"Walk in the Sequoia woods at any time of the year and you will say they are the most majestic on earth." ~John Muir These trees are special because they are among the largest and oldest living things on earth. Nelder Grove's "Shadow of the Giants" Trail is the outdoor classroom for this opportunity to learn about the ecology of the sequoias, man's impact on these trees, our responsibility as stewards, and to simply experience their immensity and majesty. [ download ]
G.L.O.B.E. "Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment":
This program, developed by NASA and NOAA, gives students an opportunity to learn how scientists around the world are using technology to help them monitor and benefit the world's environments. Students will use a G.P.S. (global positioning system) unit to determine their exact latitude/longitude on the earth's surface. Then they will "ground truth" (carefully observe, classify and record) our G.L.O.B.E. site, a 30 meter X 30 meter study area that corresponds to a pixel on a landsat satellite image. [ download ]
Group Initiatives/Leadership:
Students participate in a series of physically active/challenging problem-solving scenarios that require leadership, communication, team work, trust, interdependence, and cooperation. Skills and strategies developed can last a lifetime. [ download ]
Logging and Forestry:
Trees are a natural, renewable resource widely utilized by man. They arealso a resource that has, at times, been overused, and poorly managed. This course introduces students to thedifferent species of trees found in the mixed coniferous forests of the Sierra Nevada, their uses, past and present logging practices, and the conservation and wise management of our forests. [ download ]
Miwok Indians:
The earliest inhabitants of this area lived a much different lifestyle than we live now. Students will visit our replica of a Miwok village and participate in a number of activities that introduce them to the culture and life of these early Sierrans. They will gain insight and understanding into the practices that enabled the Miwok to live in this area for at least several thousand years. [ download ]
Nature Trek:
Calvin Crest has a wonderful variety of habitats, each unique in its characteristics. Students will visit riparian, forest, meadow, pond, and chaparral habitats, observing the plant and wildlife species that characterize each. They will learn about the "Web of Life" that so accurately depicts the interdependence evident in the world around us, and in fact, includes us. [ download ]
Orienteering:
Students will learn how to use a compass, what declination is, and how to travel from one place to another without the use of signs or maps. The activities in this class prepare them for the final event, a mini-orienteering course during which they find their way through the forest using their compass and the knowledge they've gained. [ download ]
Riding on the Water Cycle:
What is the "Water Cycle", and how does it affect life on this planet? Students will spend time at the lake making observations, participating in a guided imagery, sketching, and writing poetry as they learn more about this essential cycle, about how it affects man, and about how we can either positively or negatively affect the cycle by our lifestyles and actions. [ download ]
Rock Your World:
The Sierra Nevada is a granite batholith over 400 miles long. What does that mean? How does it have an impact on our lives? What role does water play in weathering, erosion, and deposition? Why is the Central Valley such an incredibly flat region, surrounded as it is by the Coast Range and the Sierra? These questions and more, such as, "What are the three main types of rock - and how is each type formed? What's the difference between chemical and physical weathering?" will be dealt with in this class. Students will explore a mass wasting site, see geological forces in action, as well as observe how water has been powerfully involved in the shaping of these mountains. They will see how the shape of the mountains determines where the water flows. They will learn how vital the Sierra Nevada is to the 35 million people living in California. Rocks rock!!! [ download ]
Survival:
The word has negative connotations! We've all seen too many movies, heard too many stories about the tragic consequences of survival situations. The goal of this course is to teach students how to use common sense, proper preparation/good planning, and a positive attitude to avoid survival situations in the first place. Additionally, the course teaches survival skills (should they become necessary), such as obtaining water and food, constructing a shelter, fire-building techniques (and how to be sure a fire is out), signaling for help, determining direction without a map or compass, and how to plan for survival. [ download ]
Water You Pondering?:
Students will study the Calvin Crest Lake to determine the overall health and quality of the pond environment. They will make measurements such as pH, water temperature, and water turbidity. They will use microscopes to look for evidence of invertebrates and microorganisms. They will examine the four different habitats found at the lake. Using the information they have gathered from their observations, they will make a determination as to the condition of the lake. They will also learn about how man's activities impact a pond environment, as well as the water quality downstream. [ download ]
Wildlife Detective:
Most wildlife species try to avoid contact with man. Although there are numerous species of wildlife in and around Calvin Crest, most of them go undetected by people. How can we tell what animals are around if we cannot see them? Students taking this course will learn how to recognize different species' tracks and scat, as well as other signs of their presence. Students will also learn about the responsibility we have to maintain adequate habitats to meet the requirements of animals that we are forcing to live in smaller and smaller suitable areas. [ download ]
The word has negative connotations! We've all seen too many movies, heard too many stories about the tragic consequences of survival situations. The goal of this course is to teach students how to use common sense, proper preparation/good planning, and a positive attitude to avoid survival situations in the first place. Additionally, the course teaches survival skills (should they become necessary), such as obtaining water and food, constructing a shelter, fire-building techniques (and how to be sure a fire is out), signaling for help, determining direction without a map or compass, and how to plan for survival. [ 
Most wildlife species try to avoid contact with man. Although there are numerous species of wildlife in and around Calvin Crest, most of them go undetected by people. How can we tell what animals are around if we cannot see them? Students taking this course will learn how to recognize different species' tracks and scat, as well as other signs of their presence. Students will also learn about the responsibility we have to maintain adequate habitats to meet the requirements of animals that we are forcing to live in smaller and smaller suitable areas. [ 