School & Group Environmental Science
Our overnight environmental science programs in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area offer students the opportunity to engage in inclusive, hands-on learning experiences in one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most pristine coastal locations. Students explore Rodeo Beach and the trails of the Marin Headlands, challenge themselves physically, build meaningful relationships and discover a caring relationship with the natural world. We collaborate with each school or group to ensure their program experience meets their educational goals.
Our Program
Sample Day and Activities #
Morning: Gather in the dining hall for breakfast, pack backpacks and prepare for the day.
Instructional Day on Trail: Spend the day in small learning groups led by a professional NatureBridge educator. Students engage in collaborative, authentic scientific learning experiences in a safe and supportive environment. These experiences are designed to support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and student’s social and emotional development.
Sample Activities
- Study the adaptations of tide pool creatures in an intertidal marine touch tank.
- Collect and identify macroinvertebrates from Rodeo Pond.
- Engage in rock inquiry and explore 200 million years of geologic history.
- Visit the Point Bonita Lighthouse and observe seal behavior from the coastal bluffs.
- Hike to the top of Hawk Hill or Hill 88 and enjoy 360° views of the San Francisco Bay.
Afternoon/Early Evening: Return to campus to reflect, relax and unwind while school chaperones supervise. Dinner in the dining hall gives everyone a chance to share their trail stories.
Evening: NatureBridge educators facilitate evening programs selected by group coordinators that could include a short night hike, campfire or beach visit to look for bioluminescent plankton. Students then return to the dorms and get ready for bed.
Areas of Study #
Marine Science: Explore the California coastline to investigate how organisms interact with each other and their environment. Examine adaptations that help species survive in this ecosystem and investigate how humans influence the ocean and San Francisco Bay.
California Ecology and Biodiversity: Discover the wide variety of terrestrial plants, mammals, birds, and invertebrates in the Marin Headlands. Investigate how they connect with each other and stewardship efforts to protect this landscape.
Watershed Studies: Discover the relationships between aquatic and terrestrial systems by examining watershed connections from the mountains to the edge of the Pacific Ocean, and investigate how humans are changing these systems.
Geology and Earth Science: Explore the unique geological process that shaped the landforms of the California coast. Discover how they were created, observe how they are changing, and determine its effects on the living things around them.
Environmental Stewardship: Examine the ecological impact of humans through scientific, historic, and cultural lenses, ad explore stewardship actions that help protect and restore the environment.
Our Educators #
NatureBridge environmental science educators bring our programs to life. Our skilled and passionate educators provide inclusive and culturally responsive programming that challenges students to step out of their comfort zones and connect to themselves and one another. Our staff have a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work and training experience, cleared background checks and are certified to manage risk in the field.
The energy and passion our educators have for engaging with youth and the natural world is a vital element of our success.
Outcomes #
Connect to SCIENCE + NATURE + SELF AND OTHERS: Students experience personal growth, build interpersonal skills, gain science knowledge, strengthen critical thinking skills and act as environmental stewards. NatureBridge strives to create an impactful and lasting educational program for every student.
There is no other program that balances personal growth, teamwork and environmental education at such a high level. Our students always grow into themselves at NatureBridge.Laura M., Teacher at Sacramento Country Day School
Our Campus
Lodging #
Our environmental science programs utilize dormitories located on our "Beach" campus adjacent to Rodeo Lagoon or "Bluff" campus located near Point Bonita, which may be shared between visiting school groups. Dorm buildings are heated and have internal showers and bathrooms. Our beds are twin bunk beds and are steel-framed. All participants are asked to bring their own linens, including pillows, sleeping bags or sheets and blankets, towels, and toiletries.
Dining #
Our amazing kitchen staff works hard to provide nutritional, student- and chaperone-friendly meals to keep our participants fully charged throughout their program. Breakfast and dinner are served in our dining hall, which is shared with all schools on campus. In addition to revolving hot dishes, breakfast and dinner also include fresh fruit or salad. Lunch is served on trail during the hiking day. Most individual dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free can be accommodated. Our meal service is nut-free. All participants are asked to bring their own lunch on arrival day. Read more about dietary restrictions we can accommodate.
Campus Gallery
Fort Cronkhite Campus #
Point Bonita Campus #
Rates and Availability
| Rates (Off-Peak season is 11/16/26-2/22/27) | Student | Adult | Off-Peak Student | Off-Peak Adult |
| 5-Day, 4-Night | $567 | $527 | $507 | $467 |
| 3-Day, 2-Night | $384 | $364 | $352 | $337 |
NatureBridge Scholarships
NatureBridge is committed to reaching students in all the communities we serve. Scholarships are awarded based on the free and reduced meal rate of a school (or private-school equivalent) and/or other supplemental information to support need. If you believe your school or group may qualify for a scholarship, please reach out to Mira Aboutaam.
Programs are offered throughout the school year. For specific dates, please contact us.
Funding Ideas
Explore additional funding opportunities to support your NatureBridge program! Visit our Funding Ideas page for valuable resources on securing grants, launching crowdfunding campaigns, and discovering product sales ideas to help make your educational journey possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prepare for Your Trip
Students and Families #
- Participant Registration Form: All students and adults must complete and sign the electronic registration form to participate in our programs. Please contact your Group Coordinator for the specific link for your program.
- Parent Info Flyer (Spanish)
- Packing List (Spanish)
- Student Expectations (Spanish): Ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time at NatureBridge by reviewing these expectations with your students.
- Safety and Risk Management (Spanish)
- Dietary Restrictions (Spanish)
Chaperones #
Teachers and Group Coordinators #
Request Information
If you would like more information about programs at our Golden Gate campus, please fill out the form below and a member of our outreach staff will be in touch with you.
See Our Campus
Find Us
NatureBridge at Golden Gate (Fort Cronkhite Campus or Beach Campus)
1033 Fort Cronkhite
Sausalito, CA 94965
Point Bonita (Bluff) Campus
981 Field Road
Sausalito, CA 94965
415-332-5771
goldengatereservations@naturebridge.org