EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS

Over our 40-year history, ENH’s goal has always been to offer high-quality and affordable programs that enhance interpersonal relationships and positive associations between learning and the outdoors which students can take back to their classrooms and homes. Naturalists lead students in place-based learning, concentrating on interdependence, cycles, ecology, and more, deepening students’ ecological knowledge and interest in science and environmental stewardship. School groups also engage in cooperative team building activities, including family style dining, designed to build trust within and between the hiking groups and participating classes or schools. Learnings are reinforced through reflective nature journaling; drawing or nature art; participatory group songs, dances, and puppet shows; and skits where cabin groups act out a concept they have learned during the week. Conservation is also an essential part of the experience, as students weigh and graph their food waste at the end of each meal, take their composted food scraps to the garden, try to take a 3-minute shower, and participate in a mock town hall meeting. A week out of the classroom in a new and emotionally-safe space builds students’ self-confidence, empowering them to disrupt their classroom identities, behavior patterns, and solidify relationships with teachers and peers. Survey results from over 650 teachers throughout the last 5 school years show that teachers agree or strongly agree that participating students: • express more self-esteem (97%) • have strengthened relationships with peers and teachers (98%) • feel more connected to the environment (99%) • better understand the ecosystems of coastal California (98%) • are more comfortable approaching science learning (89%) • are more comfortable being outside (99%) • better understand their role as environmental stewards (96%)