I was a volunteer counselor here for 3 years, for kids in elementary schols in the Bay Area. Some…read moreof the best experiences of my life occurred here, at Exploring New Horizons (ENH). It is an awesome nonprofit/ for-public-benefit corp. specializing in environmental education and dedicated to enriching the lives of students through hands-on and activity-based learning. Since 1979, ENH has brought over 80,000 children to a closer understanding of themselves and the Earth around them.
The naturalists are incredibly educated and insightful, patient with children, and constantly entertaining and educational. The camp directors are committed to providing high quality, affordable environmental education for the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Tier goal truly is to enrich the lives of youth through the awareness and understanding of the beauty and diversity of nature and each other. They strive to "nurture intelligent, active citizens who will work together to create a healthy and sustainable environment and a responsible society."
The capacity is for ~ 200 students, and feels like a home-away-from-home for over 4,500 5th/6th graders. ENH serves many of the same schools and school districts today that began coming to our program in the disco era.
"Program Curriculum: As with all of our programs, the ENH-Loma Mar curriculum framework focuses on three strands: Environmental Awareness and Natural History Cooperation, Group Dynamics, and Team Building Self-esteem, Empowerment, and Citizenship ENH teaches these concepts throughout the week using a variety of experiences in three distinct ecosystems: the old-growth redwood forest, the oak woodlands, and the tidal zones and marshes of the nearby coast. The curriculum philosophy is: we teach students how natural systems work, how to work effectively in groups, and give role models of others who have changed the world. These students will feel empowered to make conscientious decisions. When a person makes better decisions, they achieve a sense of hope. With hope comes more change, and the cycle is perpetuated. Although all goals may not be realized by all students while attending ENH, we feel our program creates a strong foundation upon which teachers and parents can later build. Indeed, many individuals who have participated either as students or high school counselors have told us how their experience at ENH changed their lives and the way they view the world.
The magic of the redwoods, the stirring beauty of Pescadero Creek, the peacefulness of the organic graden, the roar and whispers of the Pacific Coast, the echoing laughter of hundreds of young voices and the love and dedication of the ENH staff all combine to make the students stay at ENH-Loma Mar truly memorable experience, one that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives."
They also have an amazing garden: An important part of the curriculum at ENH Loma Mar is the organic garden and sustainability village. They have been a place for hands on learning and environmental education that has been maintained with the help of students since 1990. Students learn about the concept and reason behind organic gardening, solar power and sustainable water usage. During their time in the garden the students might plant seeds, look for garden worms in our vermicompost area or work with our compost hive, prepare beds for planting, harvest vegetables and make pizza in our cob oven or explore the pond and the many creatures living in it. To help students understand solar power we offer them an opportunity to experience it hands on with our solar tools donated by solar school house. Our sustainability village also features four yurts and the garden house powered by solar energy, a composting toilet and a water harvesting grey water system.
In addition to the diverse plant life in the garden, students also have the chance to spend some time with animal friends too. The Loma Mar garden is home several ducks and chickens that help our garden by supplying manure for our compost and free range eggs for the naturalists.
A special treat is the beautiful Barn Owl (formerly a guest of the Lindsey Wildlife Museum); the kids freak out with excitement about this animal. This is a great way for students to observe and discuss adaptations in predator and prey animals, free range and organic animal products, rehabilitation and the human impacts on animals in the wild.
