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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area View from Sandstone Peak looking east
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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Self Guided
 
A teacher takes her class on a hike at Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers programs that can be done by the teacher in the classroom. These programs are self guided.

National Park Service sites are available to groups for self guided programs. Sites like Paramount Ranch, Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa, and Peter Strauss Ranch can accommodate larger groups and have picnic and other facilities available.

Read below to see what activities your class can do and what you need to know before you come.

 
Teachers and students hike along the chaparral - grassland interface as part of a classroom program.

Parks as Classrooms:
Teacher Lead In-Class Programs

National Park Legacy:
1st - 12th Grades

Struggle and Opportunity:
A California Cultural Journey
Traveling Trunks for Loan in
Los Angeles Unified School District
4th-5th Grades

 

What you need to know before you come.

  • You or your agency will need to provide the transportation for your group to and from the national park site.
  • Contact the park visitor center (805-370-2301) and the Education Office (805-370-2348) to be sure that the site has no scheduled events, closures, or activities that may conflict with your visit. Also, make sure the site can accommodate your group. Sites can only be reserved by permit for self guided visits.
  • You may want to plan a pre-visit to the site-- explore the trails, plan for picnicking, and look at facilities. Call or visit the visitor center or use this website to get maps and information about the site.
  • The national park sites are large and unfamilliar to many students. For the safety of students, we recommend at least 1 adult per 10 students to help provide organization and safety.

Some basic rules to review with students and adult leaders:

  • All natural resources are protected. Picking or collecting flowers, plants, rocks or any other park resource is not permitted.
  • All animals are protected. Collecting or harrassing animals is not permitted.
  • All cultural resources are protected. Collecting or damaging park buildings, structures, facilities or any cultural object is not permitted.
  • When you leave the site, there should be no evidence of your visit left behind. Place all trash in available recepticles. Collect all the games, equipment, or other items that you brought with your group.

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Last Updated: April 30, 2011 at 16:34 MST