Outdoor Education

Explore Santa Cruz County's coastal redwood forests, meadows, and streams! Through the use of science inquiry, games, and other activities, participants learn ecological concepts and discover the interrelationships between plants and animals!

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

These field trips come with pre and post lessons for teachers to use at their discretion.

All About Birds (Grades K-2)

What can we learn by closely observing birds? How do their body parts, especially their beaks, help them live? Through games, hiking,and hands-on experience, students will learn how to use binoculars and begin to identify local birds by color, size and shape. Students will also play a game where they become birds with different bird beaks to discover how varying bird body parts help birds eat and live.
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas:

LSl.A: Structure and Function
LSl.C: Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms
ESS3.A: Natural Resources

Biodiversity & Ecosystems (Grades 3-4)

What can we learn about an ecosystem through observation? Students will go on an ecosystem hike, using picture cards as clues to search for various plants and animals found in specific ecosystems. Students will also closely study the pond ecosystem, using nets and cups to collect and examine pond invertebrates. Through hands-on
exploration and experience, students will discover the complexity and
biodiversity all around us.
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas:

3-LS4.C: Adaptation
3-LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans

Outdoor Education at County Parks

Learn about our outdoor education programs!

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park

Learn more about the Outdoor Education and Interpretive Programs at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park in Felton!

Pinto Lake County Park

Learn more about the Outdoor Education and Interpretive Programs at Pinto Lake County Park in Watsonville!

Get Involved with Outdoor Education Programs

Click below for current classes and camps within Santa Cruz County Parks

How to Register for Camps Online

Create an account on ActiveNet.
Navigate to the Activities tab in the menu.
Select Nature & Science Camps.
Register for your desired program and complete payment.
Thank you for choosing to participate in County Parks programs!

How to Book a Field Trip

We are excited to welcome schools groups, youth groups, scouts and more
If you are interested, please email your completed Field Trip Interest Form to rec@scparks.com or call our recreation staff at (831) 454-7941.

Nature & Science Camps

Do you have a budding naturalist or backyard explorer? Perhaps a science sleuth or tech fanatic? Check out some of County Park’s nature & science camps! Taking place at County parks and open spaces, nature camp participants will awaken their inner ecologist and learn to become stewards of the land by uncovering local ecosystems and learning about Santa Cruz County's diverse plants and wildlife. We encourage your child's inquisitive nature and teach them how to conduct their own research in the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, botany and so much more!

Contact Us

Phone:

(831) 454-7901 (General)

(831) 454-7941 (Registrations)

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except holidays

Email:

parksinfo@parks.santacruzcountyca.gov (General)

rec@parks.santacruzcountyca.gov (Registrations)

Our physical office is open, but staff availability is limited.