Students in Yosemite
Yosemite

School & Group Environmental Science

Discover Your Outdoor Classroom
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Location
Yosemite
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Grades
4-12

Our overnight environmental science programs in Yosemite National Park offer students the opportunity to engage in inclusive, hands-on learning experiences in one of the world's most iconic national parks. Students explore the deep valleys, grand meadows and sequoia forests, while challenging themselves physically, building meaningful relationships and discovering 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

  • Hike along the path of a waterfall and learn about glaciation.
  • Study ecological relationships from the perspective of a 2,000-year-old giant sequoia tree.
  • Discover winter adaptations of plants and animals while cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in high Sierra meadows.
  • Participate in National Park Service research projects such as water quality monitoring and conifer removal.

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 that could include a short night hike, a town-hall style debate about the Hetch Hetchy Dam or see a presentation about rock climbing in Yosemite. Students then return to the tent cabins or bunkhouses and get ready for bed.

Students in Yosemite observe the local ecosystem

Areas of Study #

Life Science & Ecology: Practice the skills of an ecologist, discover the organisms that call this landscape home and learn how they interact and adapt to their changing environment.

Watershed Studies: Yosemite Valley offers an incredible laboratory to learn about watersheds as students hike to waterfalls, assess water quality above and below confluences, and learn about how this watershed impacts the health of California’s agriculture.

Earth Science & Geology: Investigate how Yosemite’s iconic rock formations came to be, how erosion changed them over time and what could happen next.

Cultural History: Explore the rich cultural history of indigenous people, settlers and conservationists of the region and their ongoing legacy in Yosemite National Park.

Current Environmental Issues: Natural processes are constantly at work in Yosemite. Learn about climate change, what it is, how it affects Yosemite and how science helps us understand its present and future impacts on our environment.  

Fire Ecology: Engage with hands-on activities and NGSS-based investigations to help students better understand fire's role in the landscape and the forces that influence it. Take an active role in fire management in Yosemite by helping out with our conifer removal stewardship project. 

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 learn to act as environmental stewards. NatureBridge strives to create an impactful and lasting educational program for every student.

My students were awed by the natural beauty of Yosemite and our NatureBridge educators. They brought them to new, exciting, challenging and quiet experiences that connected their hearts to the environment and each other.
Elisa Cortina, Teacher at Mariposa School
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Our Campus

Lodging #

For the 2024-2025 school year, site locations will include Curry Village and the National Environmental Science Center (NESC). The NESC is our new location within Yosemite National Park located off HWY 41 near the community of Yosemite West. NatureBridge will welcome students to the NESC in September 2024. 

At Curry Village in Yosemite Valley, participants stay in heated tent cabins with linens and towels available to them, but it is advised to bring a sleeping bag. The NESC has dorm-style lodging where participants will need to bring pillows, sleeping bags, and towels, as these are not provided at that location. View campus photos below and learn more by reviewing our Lodging FAQ.

 

Dining #

NatureBridge strives to provide healthy food appropriate for high-activity days. Snacks and meals are kid-friendly and also enjoyable for adults on program. Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining hall, which is shared with all schools on campus. Lunch is served on trail during the hiking day. Most dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free can be accommodated. Learn more by reviewing our Food Allergy FAQ.

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Rates and Availability

All program rates include a $2 pp scholarship fee used to support our scholarship awards for students in need.
Rates (9/1/2024-8/31/2025) Standard (September, October, March-June) Off-Peak (November-February)
6-day, 5-night $890 $794
5-day, 4-night $802 $722
4-day, 3-night $690 $626
3-day, 2-night $554 $506

Optional Program Additions

Groups may opt to add one or more optional program additions such as day-trips, arrival day instruction or backpacking experiences. Additional fees will apply. Please inquire about possible program additions upon booking, as there are limitations on our ability to offer certain programs for the 2024-2025 school year.

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 Madeleine Patton.

Programs are offered year-round. For specific dates, please contact us

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