Natural Science Discovery Youth Programs
Ventana Wildlife Society, 9699 Blue Larkspur Ln, Ste 105, Monterey, CA 93940
About
Natural Science Discovery Youth Programs includes activities such as journaling beneath redwoods, exploring misty redwood forests, exploring tidepools and rocky tide pools, and exploring riparian habitats and oak woodlands. Participants take part in kayaking, kayaking with sea lions, kayaking with sea otters, whale watching, watching a condor soar, searching for the endangered California Condor, storytelling, habitat exploration, and hands-on projects. Adventures also include exploring tidepools at Point Pinos, venturing into caves at Pinnacles National Park, and hiking through forests in the Ventana Wilderness.
• Ages: 4–17 years old
• Schedule: Themed three-hour drop-off sessions, week-long day camps with a Thursday night campout, week-long youth leader sessions, and single-day adventures
Since 1997, Natural Science Discovery Programs have used nature as a classroom. Ventana Wildlife Society was founded after the purchase of a wildlife sanctuary in 1977 in Big Sur, California, and was incorporated in 1982. The organization has been connecting youth to nature since 1992 and is a non-profit conserving native wildlife and their habitats through science, education, and collaboration since 1977. Each year, more than 1,300 youth take part in Ventana Wildlife Society education programs, and a fleet of four 15-passenger vans picks up participants from communities stretching from Castroville to Salinas, and inland from Prunedale to Greenfield.
Themed three-hour, drop-off Wee Ones in the Woods sessions explore the natural world through storytelling, habitat exploration, and hands-on projects. Natural Science Discovery Camp is a week-long day camp with a Thursday night campout in Big Sur. Outdoor Leaders in Training join the week-long Discovery Camp as youth leaders, with two registrations each week reserved for teens who want to learn, build leadership skills, and assist with camp activities. Single Day Adventures are one-day programs with different nature-based adventure options.
The mission of Ventana Wildlife Society is to conserve native wildlife and their habitats through science, education and collaboration. The leadership team includes Kelly Sorenson, Executive Director; Jane Thompson, Office Manager; Joe Burnett, California Condor Recovery Program Manager; Mike Stake, Sr Wildlife Biologist, Ecological Services; Alena Porte, Education and Outreach Manager; Yulissa Ochoa, South Monterey County Program Coordinator; Gracie Rodriguez, Family and Community Program Coordinator and Youth and Outreach Program Coordinator; Marci Greenberg, Teen and Teacher Coordinator and Alternative Education Program Coordinator. VWS partners with communities throughout Monterey County to offer weekly off-site nature classes for youth during the school year and provides educational outreach to underserved and historically marginalized communities.
Last updated March 27, 2026.
• Ages: 4–17 years old
• Schedule: Themed three-hour drop-off sessions, week-long day camps with a Thursday night campout, week-long youth leader sessions, and single-day adventures
Since 1997, Natural Science Discovery Programs have used nature as a classroom. Ventana Wildlife Society was founded after the purchase of a wildlife sanctuary in 1977 in Big Sur, California, and was incorporated in 1982. The organization has been connecting youth to nature since 1992 and is a non-profit conserving native wildlife and their habitats through science, education, and collaboration since 1977. Each year, more than 1,300 youth take part in Ventana Wildlife Society education programs, and a fleet of four 15-passenger vans picks up participants from communities stretching from Castroville to Salinas, and inland from Prunedale to Greenfield.
Themed three-hour, drop-off Wee Ones in the Woods sessions explore the natural world through storytelling, habitat exploration, and hands-on projects. Natural Science Discovery Camp is a week-long day camp with a Thursday night campout in Big Sur. Outdoor Leaders in Training join the week-long Discovery Camp as youth leaders, with two registrations each week reserved for teens who want to learn, build leadership skills, and assist with camp activities. Single Day Adventures are one-day programs with different nature-based adventure options.
The mission of Ventana Wildlife Society is to conserve native wildlife and their habitats through science, education and collaboration. The leadership team includes Kelly Sorenson, Executive Director; Jane Thompson, Office Manager; Joe Burnett, California Condor Recovery Program Manager; Mike Stake, Sr Wildlife Biologist, Ecological Services; Alena Porte, Education and Outreach Manager; Yulissa Ochoa, South Monterey County Program Coordinator; Gracie Rodriguez, Family and Community Program Coordinator and Youth and Outreach Program Coordinator; Marci Greenberg, Teen and Teacher Coordinator and Alternative Education Program Coordinator. VWS partners with communities throughout Monterey County to offer weekly off-site nature classes for youth during the school year and provides educational outreach to underserved and historically marginalized communities.
Last updated March 27, 2026.
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