School and Youth Programs
More than 10,000 Orinda school children have experienced the programs at the Nature Area since 1970. All programs are coordinated and taught by Toris Jaeger, who has overseen the Nature Area’s programs since 1978. Toris retired from Orinda Union School District as District Naturalist in 2009 when her position was eliminated, but continues to serve the Nature Area with donations collected by FWRNA. To donate, click here.
2021 Spring Nature Days:
!!NOTICE!!
Signups are once again active. Times have changed since originally published.
**************************************************
Students will have outdoor learning experiences exploring creeks and ponds and finding native plants and animal species that have lived in Orinda for hundreds of years. Investigative themes include: ecology of woodlands and streams, cultural history of the area; also earth science, and garden projects, which meet grade-appropriate science and history standards. Attendance is purely optional.
An optional $35 donation per student helps the nonprofit Friends of the Wagner Ranch Nature Area cover the costs of teachers and supplies for the day. Any additional tax-deductible donations will be greatly appreciated. To donate - click here
5th Grade is complete.
4th grade programs - during the week of 4/13 sessions run from 9:00a - 11:30a on Tuesday or Thursday and 1:45p to 4:30p on Wednesday or Friday. The week of 4/20 the sessions run from 3:45p - 6:15p.
3rd grade programs - all dates are 3:45p - 6:15p
Please click the link appropriate to your grade to sign up.
4th Grade (covers all schools) runs through April 22
3th Grade (covers all schools) April 27 - May 21
Attending Spring Nature Days requires a signed permission form. Click here for the form. Instructions are included on the form.
We also have an information sheet that you can print out that tells what to bring, what to wear, rain policy, etc.
Summer 2021 Nature Camp (Not quite ready for signups yet)
For kids ages 5-12 (divided into two age groups). Have fun exploring the creeks and ponds, meadows and woods and discovering the oldest ranch in Orinda, the Wagner Ranch Nature Area. Activities include hikes & climbs, games & crafts, creeks and pond studies and an
end-of- week Friday BBQ! May also include some organic garden or building projects, for those interested. This is a fully outdoor, unplugged and in-nature experience!
Campers: Arrive wearing a mask and sunscreen. Bring a small backpack with a refillable water bottle, a snack (for half-day campers), and a lunch (for full-day campers). Campers should wear “camping-worthy” clothing and shoes (no sandals) that may get wet or dirty. On drizzly
days, a hooded jacket is recommended. Full-day campers should also pack sunscreen to reapply mid-day. We conform to the state and county safety guidelines for COVID-19.
Enrollment: Following current COVID guidelines, we can accept a maximum of 14 campers per week. Group will divide into two (4th grade on up in one; K-3rd grade in the other; ok for siblings to pair up). Each group is led by an experienced Environmental Education Teacher, and a (high
school or college) Counselor.
Camp will run Monday - Friday. You can sign up for a morning camp (9a - 12:15p) for $220, or an all day camp (9a - 3p) for $380.
Each week we will run the same program. Camp will be the weeks of:
June 7-11
June 14-18
June 21-25
July 12-16
July 19-23
July 26-30
Counselors: We will be interested in hiring high school or college aged Camp Counselors to assist with the camps.
CIT’s: We invite 12-15 years old campers to enroll as a Counselor-in-Training, who will assist and receive training from the Teachers. We hope to pull from this year’s CIT’s into a future Summer Nature Camp as fully-paid Counselors. CIT's would pay to attend the Nature Camp and would get training on the programs and how to be a camp counselor. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Please watch this space for more information as the camp plans evolve.
Elementary School Field Trips (ON HOLD DUE TO COVID):
Third Grade
Animal Camp: One full day of animal habitat, food chain, ecosystems studies.
Fourth Grade
Native American Studies: Two full days of California history with a focus on the cultures of the Ohlone and Bay Miwok tribes.
Rancho Days: Two full days of California history.
Fifth Grade
First Thanksgiving: One full day of foraging, outdoor cooking, and early American history.
Pioneer Days: Two full days of California history.
Sixth – Eighth Grades
Others First Program
High School
Miramonte High School Environmental Education
Scout/Volunteer Projects:
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Eagle Scouts, Rotary Clubs and many other community organizations and individuals have contributed thousands of volunteer hours for special projects at the Nature Area. Through their work, they have enriched wildlife habitats, developed educational resources, and improved accessibility to promote nature and inspire others. The following is a partial list of projects completed:
2021 Spring Nature Days:
!!NOTICE!!
Signups are once again active. Times have changed since originally published.
**************************************************
Students will have outdoor learning experiences exploring creeks and ponds and finding native plants and animal species that have lived in Orinda for hundreds of years. Investigative themes include: ecology of woodlands and streams, cultural history of the area; also earth science, and garden projects, which meet grade-appropriate science and history standards. Attendance is purely optional.
An optional $35 donation per student helps the nonprofit Friends of the Wagner Ranch Nature Area cover the costs of teachers and supplies for the day. Any additional tax-deductible donations will be greatly appreciated. To donate - click here
5th Grade is complete.
4th grade programs - during the week of 4/13 sessions run from 9:00a - 11:30a on Tuesday or Thursday and 1:45p to 4:30p on Wednesday or Friday. The week of 4/20 the sessions run from 3:45p - 6:15p.
3rd grade programs - all dates are 3:45p - 6:15p
Please click the link appropriate to your grade to sign up.
4th Grade (covers all schools) runs through April 22
3th Grade (covers all schools) April 27 - May 21
Attending Spring Nature Days requires a signed permission form. Click here for the form. Instructions are included on the form.
We also have an information sheet that you can print out that tells what to bring, what to wear, rain policy, etc.
Summer 2021 Nature Camp (Not quite ready for signups yet)
For kids ages 5-12 (divided into two age groups). Have fun exploring the creeks and ponds, meadows and woods and discovering the oldest ranch in Orinda, the Wagner Ranch Nature Area. Activities include hikes & climbs, games & crafts, creeks and pond studies and an
end-of- week Friday BBQ! May also include some organic garden or building projects, for those interested. This is a fully outdoor, unplugged and in-nature experience!
Campers: Arrive wearing a mask and sunscreen. Bring a small backpack with a refillable water bottle, a snack (for half-day campers), and a lunch (for full-day campers). Campers should wear “camping-worthy” clothing and shoes (no sandals) that may get wet or dirty. On drizzly
days, a hooded jacket is recommended. Full-day campers should also pack sunscreen to reapply mid-day. We conform to the state and county safety guidelines for COVID-19.
Enrollment: Following current COVID guidelines, we can accept a maximum of 14 campers per week. Group will divide into two (4th grade on up in one; K-3rd grade in the other; ok for siblings to pair up). Each group is led by an experienced Environmental Education Teacher, and a (high
school or college) Counselor.
Camp will run Monday - Friday. You can sign up for a morning camp (9a - 12:15p) for $220, or an all day camp (9a - 3p) for $380.
Each week we will run the same program. Camp will be the weeks of:
June 7-11
June 14-18
June 21-25
July 12-16
July 19-23
July 26-30
Counselors: We will be interested in hiring high school or college aged Camp Counselors to assist with the camps.
CIT’s: We invite 12-15 years old campers to enroll as a Counselor-in-Training, who will assist and receive training from the Teachers. We hope to pull from this year’s CIT’s into a future Summer Nature Camp as fully-paid Counselors. CIT's would pay to attend the Nature Camp and would get training on the programs and how to be a camp counselor. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Please watch this space for more information as the camp plans evolve.
Elementary School Field Trips (ON HOLD DUE TO COVID):
Third Grade
Animal Camp: One full day of animal habitat, food chain, ecosystems studies.
Fourth Grade
Native American Studies: Two full days of California history with a focus on the cultures of the Ohlone and Bay Miwok tribes.
Rancho Days: Two full days of California history.
Fifth Grade
First Thanksgiving: One full day of foraging, outdoor cooking, and early American history.
Pioneer Days: Two full days of California history.
Sixth – Eighth Grades
Others First Program
High School
Miramonte High School Environmental Education
Scout/Volunteer Projects:
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Eagle Scouts, Rotary Clubs and many other community organizations and individuals have contributed thousands of volunteer hours for special projects at the Nature Area. Through their work, they have enriched wildlife habitats, developed educational resources, and improved accessibility to promote nature and inspire others. The following is a partial list of projects completed:
- Owl Box
- Mason Bee Box
- Bat Box
- Miwok House Replica
- Display Kiosk at Nature Area Entrance
- Water Catchment System
- Cynthia Crespi Bell Tower
- Decorative Masonry Bench
- Picnic Tables in Olive Grove
- Gate Surrounding Ann Morton Pond
- Directional and Historical Signs
- Native Tree Plantings
- Trail and Walkway Restoration
- Irrigation Projects
- Deer Fencing
- Raised Bed and Garden Upgrades
- Dr. Phil Loggins Memorial
- Butterfly Garden Bed
- Wheelchair Accessibility
