There are a lot of great opportunities for you to connect with nature and history in our parks!

 

Try your hand at kayaking!  Get some great outdoor exercise, while learning about marine wildlife, local history, and other natural features.  Kayak tours are led by rangers, lifeguards, and other State Parks staff.  They are family-friendly and a lot of fun! Programs are now offered in Ventura and at Refugio State Beach!

Join us for a campfire program!  Not camping at the park?  No problem!  You can still attend a campfire program for free (no day use fee)!  Just tell the kiosk staff that you are only visiting for the campfire program. Campfire programs are offered on a variety of topics during the busy summer season at McGrath State Beach, Carpinteria State Beach, and El Capitan State Beach. Check our calendar for upcoming programs.  We will also post programs on our Facebook page.

Junior Ranger programs are offered at McGrath State Beach, Carpinteria State Beach, El Capitan State Beach, and Refugio. At your first Junior Ranger program you will get a logbook and badge like the ones pictured on this page. Designed especially for 7-12 year olds, the Junior Ranger program at Carpinteria State Beach meets from mid-June to the end of August, 5 days a week at 10:00 am. Each day is a different topic.  Participants go up into the lifeguard towers and learn about ocean safety, play Chumash games and make crafts, and learn about such topics as noctural animals, insects, tortoises, sea stars, amphibians, and the environment.   For each activity you will earn a stamp in your logbook. And that’s not all, as you go through the program, one activity at a time, you will earn some very cool rewards!

 

Junior Life Guard programs are offered at San Buenaventura State Beach and Refugio State Beach. This is an ocean safety and environmental education program for children between the ages of 7 and 17. The Program’s young participants learn how to be safe in the ocean, what to do in an emergency, how to respect & care for the environment, & the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle. They also get to explore nature, get in great shape, have fun & make new friends!

 

Do you have a group that is interested in a service learning project?  Contact us to inquire about “Watersheds, Wetlands, and Waste,” a new hands-on lesson that delves into the relationship between watersheds, urban runoff, and the trash on our beaches, and helps participants to understand how wildlife and local habitats are affected.  Your group members will participate in a short lesson, and a fun game, followed by a beach clean-up.  Groups large and small are welcome.  Please use the contact form below to submit an inquiry.

(By the way, if you are looking for lessons or games that you can deliver on your own, we have some available.  Looking for something different?  Please let us know!)

We have other programs currently in development as well, including a Photography program! 

Check back for details as that one develops (no pun intended)!

Do you have an idea for a program you would like to see?  Or help to develop?  Drop us a line using the form below – we would love to hear from you!