Four M-A students and I spent a week of school tucked away in the Santa Cruz mountains as cabin leaders for the San Mateo Outdoor Education program. While guiding fifth graders, we sang songs, went on hikes, learned about the environment, and embraced the chaos of elementary schoolers in the wild.
The first day passed in a blur as we settled into the cabins and got to know each other with games and a short hike. After a delicious pizza dinner, we went to our evening activity, Ocean Odyssey, where the kids performed plays and sang songs to learn about the environment at the beach.
Tuesday was Beach Day, where the kids built forts at the sandy shore, buried each other in pebbles at Pebble Beach, and explored the tidepools for crabs, sea anemone, starfish, and more. Beach Day is always a highlight of the week as a chance to get out of camp and have a very unique experience. I have never seen kids having more fun than burying each other—or even their cabin leaders—in pebbles at the beach. They absolutely love being able to touch sea anemones or put limpets on their noses with the help of naturalists, and it’s a great way for them to actively learn about what they are trying to protect.
Our cabin free time was filled with pillow fights, mattress dominos, and loads of skit practice. After dinner, we enjoyed Earth Dance, where students participated in dances from all over the world.
Wednesday was Big Trees Day, starting off with songs and a visit to the Nature Lab, where kids explored animal pelts and skeletons up close. We then hiked to the largest old growth redwoods in the area and learned their legend of how redwoods communicate through their roots. After some free time and dinner, we wrapped up the day with a Night Hike, an incredible way for students to experience the forest and connect with each other.
The Night Hike is my favorite part of the week. Although it can be challenging to get a bunch of fifth graders to walk through the forest at night without any lights, they almost always end up loving it. Traditions like the “courage candle,” an activity where kids can open up about their lives, foster participation and greater connection between the students and the cabin leaders. For many of them, a short solo hike in the dark is a huge step of confidence.
Thursday morning began with more songs and games in preparation for Garden Day. We hiked to a pond where kids could dunk their heads, then moved on to the garden where kids rotated through stations to taste food grown there and make compost from their previous meals.
After dinner, we gathered for the final campfire, a fun-filled culmination of the week with songs, stories, and skits. It’s so fun to see the work they have all put into their skits come together into something they love. Whether they are laughing over banana slugs or their teacher’s skits, the night is always a huge hit.
Friday morning was bittersweet as we packed up the cabins and watched a slideshow of photos from the week. Before heading off, the kids helped the naturalists plant a new tree as a reminder of their stay and their promise to help the environment in their own lives at home.
The real highlight of the entire experience is the kids. While they can be difficult to manage at times, they are adorable and so much fun to be around. From pillow fights in the cabins to watching them plan skits and step out of their comfort zones during the activities, the week was an unforgettable experience.
Despite some camp myths, the food is incredible and they have great options for all dietary restrictions. All of the staff are super supportive and so happy to be there. It’s an amazingly positive environment and I’ve never met people so full of energy and desire to educate and help the world.
Despite the chaos and the catch-up work, volunteering at Outdoor Ed is incredibly rewarding and a great way for high schoolers to take on a leadership role, be in nature, and experience something completely new.
To apply, contact Service Learning Center coordinator Andy Stuart in P-5.
