Summer Programming 2024 Recap: Mendonoma Magic!
Our inaugural summer programs provided students with a one-of-a-kind educational adventure, celebrating the natural wonders of the Mendonoma coast while supporting local families with full-day, high-quality care. Designed to inspire creativity and foster collaboration, the programs united seasonal staff, community education partners, and Forager family volunteers to create an unforgettable five weeks of summer exploration.
Preschool and School-Age Adventures
Preschoolers and school-age Adventure Camp students ventured into diverse local habitats, guided by experienced Forager School teachers and visiting educational specialists. Memorable highlights included:
A hands-on tour of Oz Farm’s summer abundance in Manchester with farm educator Amanda Mahaffey.
An inspiring visit to The Mendocino Stone Ranch to learn about local stone masonry.
Guided coastal hikes at Gualala Point State Beach.
Tide-pooling adventures facilitated by local marine biologist Elise Allen at Walk On Beach in The Sea Ranch.
Gualala River habitat observation and specimen collection.
Sculpting with natural clay harvested from the little north fork of the Gualala River stream.
Creative movement, song, dance and nature inspired costume making.
Bandana-dyeing with natural materials and pressed flowers.
Introducing Our School-Age Summer Program
The summer of 2024 also marked the beginning of our first school-age program and fully outdoor classroom, The Forager School Adventure Camp! Designed for children ages five to eight, the program offered an unforgettable experience at our stunning redwood forest campus, complete with daily outdoor learning and weekly excursions to local host sites.
With a solar-powered A-frame cabin, a historic apple orchard, and access to the Gualala River, students embraced the natural world through foraging, exploring the diverse flora and fauna hidden among the redwood groves, and savoring August’s abundance of ripe blackberries. Every day brought a new adventure!
Both programs reached full enrollment, highlighting our community’s enthusiasm for innovative and immersive educational opportunities. We’re excited to welcome families back next summer for more enriching experiences!