Youth Programs

Salinas Valley Residents

FREE weekly classes offered in partnership with Cesar Chavez Library and other community agencies. To learn more, contact Marily Munoz Serrano

Fall 2025
Home School Programs

• Natural Science Awareness Classes (ages 6-12)

10 CLASSES: Wednesdays 9:30AM-11:30AM
DATES: September 17 - December 17 (no class on 10/15 and 11/26)

COST FOR 10 CLASSES: $310 / semester
DROP-IN COST: $35 / class
10% DISCOUNT: for Military Families
SCHOLARSHIPS: Available and offered on a sliding scale

Weekly nature classes meet at different locations around Monterey County. Increase nature awareness through observation, exploration, and “dirt time”. Explore important habitats and observe the plants and animals that live there. Identify flora and fauna and gain a broader understanding of the local watershed and the relationship we have with the environment.

CONTACT: Marily Muñoz-Serrano to register, request scholarship application, and/or any questions

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Summer 2026

Natural Science Discovery Camp

Ages 8-12 - Week-long day camp (8am-4pm) with Thursday campout, returning Friday at noon. Campers explore and learn about our beautiful, natural areas. Ocean weeks include a whale watch, Habitat & Mountain weeks include kayaking in Monterey.

Ages 13-17 - Outdoor Leaders in Training opportunities for two teens each week of Natural Science Discovery camp.

Wee Ones in the Woods

Ages 4-7 - Offering AM (8:30am-11:30am) or PM (12:30pm-3:30pm) sessions. This drop off program is led by two instructors for eight students. Young campers enjoy the natural world through story-telling, arts and crafts, a walk, and through exploration of the environment.

2026 dates coming soon

Policies

Reservation Policy

You may reserve a space in any of our regularly scheduled programs with a non-refundable program fee (15% of program cost). Balance must be paid in full 2 weeks prior to the start of any regularly scheduled programs or at the time that the program becomes full, whichever occurs first. For privately scheduled activities such as tours, youth programs or presentations, a non-refundable 50% deposit must be received 30 days in advance.

Cancellation Policy

Up until two weeks before a regular program’s start date you may receive a full refund, less processing fees (15% of program cost), if you cancel your reservation. Should a program need to be cancelled due to incremental weather or dangerous conditions, Ventana Wildlife Society will issue either a credit or a full refund.

Refund Policy

It is VWS policy that no refunds will be made for cancelations within the two weeks prior to programming, or as related to 'no show's', late arrivals, early withdrawals, or participant dismissals due to misconduct (see below). Refunds requested in writing, by fax, mail or email, will be considered according to these guidelines. Refund requests should be directed to:

Mail: Ventana Wildlife Society, 9699 Blue Larkspur Ln Ste 105, Monterey CA 93940
Fax: (831) 455-2846
Email: [email protected]

Participant Misconduct

Ventana Wildlife Society has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy towards any type of violence (hitting, pushing, kicking, verbal assaults, etc.) and will not hesitate to dismiss a participant from a program due to violence or other misconduct, in order to maintain a high level safety and comfort for our other participants. Participants with discipline issues consistently require our staff to direct their time and energy from the rest of the program - this is unfair to the other participants who enrolled to be in a fun, educational and safe environment.