The core around which many outdoor experiences are built are activities that challenge people to take a step outside of their comfort zone. It can be these experiences that help one expand their awareness of themselves and the world around them. Naturalists at Large encourages all participants to try something new while maintaining the highest level of physical and emotional safety. These shared experiences will facilitate group building and group bonding within your group.
Many locations that you might choose to visit offer the opportunity to play in the water! In addition to swimming pools at many of our lodge-based sites, Naturalists at Large can facilitate ocean kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, and flat water canoeing.
The Sequoia groves and mixed conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada provide the magnificent back drop for snow sports! Our naturalists will teach you the basics of cross country skiing and take you on a groomed ski circuit appropriate to your skill level.
Rock ClimbingThe opportunities climbing in California are plentiful. Climbers from around the world travel to Joshua Tree National Park to experience climbing at its very best. There are many other locations throughout the State where we can guide you through an experience like no other. Whether you are nervous climbing steep stairs or a grizzled rock jock, our instructors will make sure you enjoy an afternoon on the rock!
Many of our program sites have service projects that can be added to your program based on the time of year and availability. Don't miss this opportunity to protect our lands and show your students that they can really make a difference!
Challenge CoursesChallenge courses, also known as high ropes, consist of a blend of several physical and mental obstacles, each of which is referred to as an element. These courses provide students the opportunity to work together in order to overcome the elements. The shared experience of the participants is the true goal of any challenge course. This experience can have a variety of outcomes: A honing of communication skills, an expansion of the sense of what is possible, and feelings of camaraderie are common.
Team BuildingThe shared experience of a Naturalists at Large program is in of itself a bonding experience. Our Naturalists will build upon this base with a variety of fun challenges that leave students with a sense of accomplishment, camaraderie and memories that will make them smile.
Environmental ScienceNaturalists at Large is an industry leader in facilitating environmental science based programs. We have a large variety of activities that can be tailored to students of all ages.
BackpackingWe love leading groups on multiple day backpacking trips in areas throughout California! Every NAL trip is custom tailored to your needs, and the backpacking itinerary is no exception.
HikingIn order to really experience the majesty of the many places we go, you've got to get up and explore! With a few exceptions, exploring the new environments that you've chosen to visit entails a bit of hiking. Daily milage will vary, and long distance is not always our goal.
Naturalists at Large is a leading outdoor and environmental education group in California. Since 1985, we have provided outdoor education programs for tens of thousands of students from over two hundred schools, offering custom client designed trips, flexible dates and locations, commitment to safety and comfort in the outdoors, the wonder of nature and the importance of outdoor and experiential education.
