Using nature as a classroom, our Education Programs foster understanding and appreciation of wildlife and natural processes, encouraging children to contribute personally in everyday life to the protection of our precious wild ecosystems. Whether it’s journaling in the shade of a giant redwood tree, watching sea lions from a kayak, exploring tidepools, or watching a condor take flight, our programs generate memories that will last a lifetime.
2022 Summer Programs (In-Person)
List of Camps | Dates | Locations (PDF)
QUESTIONS - Email/Call Eessa Vanderspek
NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - apply for our Katie Lannon Scholarship Program
MILITARY FAMILY - receive 10% Off!
QUESTIONS - Email/Call Eessa Vanderspek
NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - apply for our Katie Lannon Scholarship Program
MILITARY FAMILY - receive 10% Off!
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For Ages 4-7
THREE-HOUR session; Drop-off program Monday - Friday, two sessions offered daily to choose from (AM and PM). Campers explore the natural world through storytelling, exploring tidepools and other habitats, and creating projects. Daily themes include Creepy Crawly Hunt, Earth Day Every Day, Plant Power, and Nests, Holes & Homes. 
For Ages 4-7 $40 / Session- three or more for $35 / session • Monday, June 13 - Earth Day Every Day, George Washington Park, PG • Tuesday, June 14 - Creepy Crawly Hunt, George Washington Park, PG • Wednesday, June 15 - Nests, Holes, & Homes, George Washington Park, PG • Thursday, June 16 - Plant Power, George Washington Park, PG • Friday, June 17 - Nature Tales, George Washington Park, PG • Tuesday, July 5 - Sandy Surprises, San Carlos Beach, Monterey • Wednesday, July 6 - Scensory Safari, San Carlos Beach, Monterey • Thursday July 7 - Amazing Animals, San Carlos Beach, Monterey • Friday July 8 - Feathered Friends, San Carlos Beach, Monterey • Monday, July 18 - Celestial Time, Lover's Point, PG • Tuesday, July 19 - Tracks, Scats, and Splats, Lover's Point, PG • Wednesday, July 20 - Tidal Treasures, Lover's Point, PG • Thursday, July 21 - Backyard Wilderness, Lover's Point, PG • Friday, July 22 - Super Survivor, Lover's Point, PG For Ages 13-17 THREE DAYS, TWO NIGHT camp; pickup / drop-off at Del Monte Center in Monterey. This program is for teens interested in learning what it takes to be a wildlife field biologist working with endangered species. This is an intense field experience and is not for the faint of heart! Campers will meet condor biologists, learn about the Condor Reintroduction Program, track wild condors using radio telemetry and participate in a work project benefiting the condors. The Dolan Fire in 2020 resulted in a number of condor deaths, as well as the loss of our facilities at the Big Sur Condor Sanctuary. Thanks to the generous support of our members and donors, new and improved facilities are in the works with a projected completion date of Fall 2022. It is our hope that we will soon again be able to offer Condor Wilderness Camps at a new and improved facility. Contact us if you would like to be notified. |
For Ages 8-12
ONE-DAY of adventure in a beautiful natural location! Trek through Monterey Pine Forests, explore rolling oak woodlands, or search for hermit crabs along the coastal tide pools. DROP OFF/PICK UP: Seaside 
For Ages 8-12 Price: $65 / Day - three or more for $55 Day • June 13 - June 17 - Hooray for Habitats • July 18 - July 22 - Outrageous Ocean Odyssey For Ages 8-12
WEEK-LONG day camp with Thurs night campout; pick-up / drop-off at Laguna Grande Park in Seaside. There are different camp themes to choose from; Outrageous Ocean Odyssey, Hooray for Habitats, and Mountains Rock. Learn all about one of the most beautiful coasts in the world as we explore rocky shorelines, tide pools, riparian habitats, oak woodland, and more. Ocean weeks includes a day of whale watching. Habitats and Mountains weeks include kayaking. DROP OFF/PICK UP: Seaside *Outdoor Leaders in Training for ages 13-17. 
For Ages 8-12 $365 / Week • June 13 - June 17 - Hooray for Habitats • July 18 - July 22 - Outrageous Ocean Odyssey |
2022 Home School Programs (In-Person)
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• Natural Science Awareness Classes (ages 6-12)
10 CLASSES: Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays 9:30AM-11:30AM
COST: $310 / semester (10 classes) TO REGISTER and/or any questions: Eessa Vanderspek Weekly nature classes meeting 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 in them. Identify flora and fauna and gain a broader understanding of the local watershed and the relationship we have with the environment.
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2022 Outreach - Castroville | East Salinas
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• Meet Us at the Farmer's Market (fun for all ages)!
Offering FREE Natural Science Education with arts and craft activities - while you shop, drop off your children (age 6 and up) to explore our nature table and create a craft to take home. WHEN: Every Tuesday, 11:00AM - 4:00PM WHERE: 632 East Alisal, Salinas In the parking lot of the WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) Center WHEN: Every Thursday, 2:30PM - 8:00PM WHERE: 11261 Crane Street, Castroville located in the parking lot of North Monterey County Parks and Recreation |
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Meet Our 2022 Educators
Cristian Hernandez with a homeschool class
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Cristian Hernandez
Yulissa Ochoa Eessa Vanderspek Myranda Arreola Shae Askew Sienna Carrillo Lesly Morales Ali Ponko |
Policies
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 Ventana Wildlife Society policy that no refunds will be made due to 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:
Ventana Wildlife Society, 9699 Blue Larkspur Ln Ste 105, Monterey CA 93940. Fax (831) 455-2846 or email cathyhamilton@ventanaws.org
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 of 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. No refunds will be issued for participants dismissed or withdrawn from programming due to behavioral issues.
Ventana Wildlife Society, 9699 Blue Larkspur Ln Ste 105, Monterey CA 93940. Fax (831) 455-2846 or email cathyhamilton@ventanaws.org
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 of 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. No refunds will be issued for participants dismissed or withdrawn from programming due to behavioral issues.
