En español más adelante / Spanish below
Come experience the Petaluma Watershed for yourself through Friends’ unique, hands-on programming connecting the community to our River. Discover the River on your own steam in one of our kayaks during free Boating at the Barn or participate in one of our on-going activities at Steamer Landing Park like our Nature Camps and Stewardship Days. Our programming at the David Yearsley River Heritage Center offers great ways to spend some quality time with the family, learn about local history or just connect with nature. Read on for descriptions and registration links for our programs.
Nature Immersion Camps 2022-23
Based in practices of nature connection, our immersion programs invite youth to build deeper and resilient relationships with themselves, others, and the natural communities around them. Throughout the program, youth and mentors will meet monthly to immerse ourselves in the natural communities of the Petaluma River Watershed, engage in age-appropriate practices aimed toward greater awareness of and connection to this place and to ourselves in it. These practices will include animal tracking, wild-crafting, earth-based skills, hiking, swimming, paddling, learning to work with wild edible and medicinal plants, and more.
We offer options for some ages, please contact us if you are unsure which cohort to sign your child up for.
2nd weekend of each Month
October-May | 9am-3pm
Locations:
Open Field Farm
2245 Springhill Rd. Petaluma, CA 94952
Petaluma Marsh
745 Baywood Dr, Petaluma, CA 94954
Pricing
$560.00/8 months*
Scholarships Available – Apply Here
*Option to pay in 3 installments of $188 during registration
Saturday Cohorts 2022/23
October 8th, November 12th, December 10th, January 14th, February 11th, March 11th, April 8th, May 13th
Fox Kits (ages 6-9) – Register Here
Through play, imagination and exploration, Fox Kits seeks to strengthen nature connection and support youth in feeling comfortable out in nature.
Badger Tracks (ages 9-13) – Register Here
In a time of transition into adolescence, Badger Tracks supports (self identified) young males in deepening connections to the Earth, their skills, capabilities and inherent sense of awe and wonder.
Elderberry Blossoms (ages 9-13) – Register Here
In a time of transition into adolescence, Elderberry Blossoms supports (self identified) young females in deepening connections to the Earth, their skills, capabilities and inherent sense of awe and wonder.
Sunday Cohorts 2022/23
October 9th, November 13th, December 11th, January 15th (3rd Sunday), February 12th, March 12th, April 9th, May 14th
Grass Hoppers (ages 5-7) – Register Here
Grass Hoppers is our youngest cohort, seeking to support youth ages 5-7 in feeling comfortable in nature while growing their nature connection through song, story, and imaginative play.
Meadowlarks (ages 7-9) – Register Here
Through play, imagination and exploration, Meadowlarks seeks to strengthen nature connection and support youth in feeling comfortable out in nature.
Dragonflies (ages 9-13) – Register Here
In a time of transition into adolescence, Dragonflies support youth ages 9-13 in deepening connections to the Earth, their skills, capabilities and inherent sense of awe and wonder.
Coming Soon…
Golden Eagles (ages 13-16)
Beginning in early 2023 – Interested? Let us know Here
Nature Immersion Contact:
Shelly Spriggs, Environmental Education Coordinator
shelly@friendsofthepetalumariver.org
(707) 479-3999
Campamento de Inmersión en la Naturaleza
Amigos “Flickers” – 2022-23 ASE →
Basados en prácticas de conexión con la naturaleza, nuestros programas de inmersión invitan a los jóvenes a construir relaciones más profundas y resistentes consigo mismos, con los demás y con las comunidades naturales que los rodean. A lo largo del programa, los jóvenes y los mentores se reunirán mensualmente para sumergirnos en las comunidades naturales de la cuenca del río Petaluma, participar en prácticas apropiadas para la edad destinadas a una mayor conciencia y conexión con este lugar y con nosotros mismos en el. Estas prácticas incluirán el rastreo de animales, la artesanía salvaje, habilidades basadas en la tierra, caminatas, natación, remo, aprender a trabajar con plantas medicinales y comestibles silvestres, y más.
Ofrecemos opciones para algunas edades, contáctenos si no está seguro de en qué cohorte inscribir a su hija(o).
2do fin de semana de cada mes
Octubre-Mayo
9am-3pm
Ubicaciones:
Granja de Campo Abierto
2245 Spring Hill Rd. Petaluma, CA 94952
Pantano de Petaluma
Petaluma, CA 94954
Precios
$560.00/8 meses*
Becas disponibles: solicite aquí
*Opción de pago en 3 cuotas de $188 durante el registro
Sábado Cohortes 2022/23
8 de octubre, 12 de noviembre, 10 de diciembre, 14 de enero, 11 de febrero, 11 de marzo, 8 de abril, 13 de mayo
Fox Kits (edades 6-9) – Regístrese aquí
A través del juego, la imaginación y la exploración, Fox Kits busca fortalecer la conexión con la naturaleza y ayudar a los jóvenes a sentirse cómodos en la naturaleza.
Badger Tracks (edades 9-13) – Regístrese aquí
En un momento de transición a la adolescencia, Badger Tracks apoya a los varones jóvenes (autoidentificados) en la profundización de las conexiones con la Tierra, sus habilidades, capacidades y el sentido inherente de admiración y asombro.
Elderberry Blossoms (edades 9-13) – Regístrese aquí
En un momento de transición a la adolescencia, Elderberry Blossoms apoya a las mujeres jóvenes (autoidentificadas) en la profundización de las conexiones con la Tierra, sus habilidades, capacidades y el sentido inherente de admiración y asombro.
Domingo Cohortes 2022/23
9 de octubre, 13 de noviembre, 11 de diciembre, 15 de enero (3er domingo), 12 de febrero, 12 de marzo, 9 de abril, 14 de mayo
Grass Hoppers (edades 5-7) – Regístrese aquí
Grass Hoppers es nuestra cohorte más joven y busca apoyar a los jóvenes de 5 a 7 años para que se sientan cómodos en la naturaleza mientras aumentan su conexión con la naturaleza a través de canciones, historias y juegos imaginativos.
Meadowlarks (edades 7-9) – Regístrese aquí
A través del juego, la imaginación y la exploración, Meadowlarks busca fortalecer la conexión con la naturaleza y ayudar a los jóvenes a sentirse cómodos en la naturaleza.
Dragonflies (edades 9-13) – Regístrese aquí
En un momento de transición a la adolescencia, Dragonflies ayuda a los jóvenes de 9 a 13 años a profundizar sus conexiones con la Tierra, sus habilidades, capacidades y su sentido inherente de admiración y asombro.
Proximamente….
Águilas Doradas (edades 13-16)
Empezando en el invierno 22 o primavera 2023. ¿Estás interesada(o)? Déjanos saber aquí
Contacto:
Iliana Madrigal-Hooper, Directora de Comunicaciones
iliana@friendsofthepetalumariver.org
(707) 763-7756
Green Heron Nature Camp 2022
This exciting nature awareness program connects children to the Petaluma River Watershed through hands-on learning and exploration. Activities for camp include naturalist games, primitive skills, canoeing, crafts, bird watching, identifying wild edibles and fresh farm food crafting. We will explore the River by boat experiencing the hidden treasures of the River.
We keep our camp sizes small so we can focus on each individual camper and ensure the best possible experience and connection with the Petaluma River. We currently have a 4:1 ratio of campers to staff.
During COVID-19 we are following all CDC and County health and safety guidelines. Camp will take place in 3 cohorts in order to keep groups small. The Coyote and Steelhead Cohorts, for 6-12 year-olds, will follow a similar weekly flow except the Steelhead Cohort will spend an additional day on the water.
The River Otters Cohort is for youth 9-13 years old and will often include a general theme for the week. This group will spend more time on the water, build more advanced nature skills and take a deeper look at the plants and animals found in the Petaluma Watershed.
NEW IN 2022
We are excited to introduce a few new “themed” weeks of camp this Summer! Each week provides an opportunity for youth to dive deep and connect to place through an immersive experiential-based approach. Our themed weeks include: Nature’s Chefs, Herbal Medicine Making, Wilderness Skills, Earth Stewards, and Maker’s by Nature. We are also happy to announce a return of our Golden Eagles week – a Nature Connection program for Teens, ages 13-16. Please see below for a further description of each theme.
Each week will include a variety of our deep nature connection routines, including nature games, sit spots, nature journaling and more.
For more information please contact Stephanie Bastianon at stephanie@FriendsofthePetalumaRiver.org, or call (707) 763-7756.
GHNC CAMP DETAILS:
Cost: Coyote & Steelhead Cohorts $300/wk | River Otters Cohort $350/wk
Camp takes place at Steamer Landing Park, Open Field Farms and the Petaluma Marina.
Monday through Friday 9:00AM – 3:00PM
We had an amazing summer in 2022 and can’t wait to see you all again next summer!
B
OATING AT THE BARN
**THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR OPENING DATE.**
EVERY SUNDAY 10AM-1PM*
Sunday’s Boating at the Barn program is entering its third year shepherded by stellar volunteer Eve O’Rouke. Eve and crew are at the David Yearsley River Heritage Center every Sunday from 10am to 1pm checking out boats to the community. Our growing fleet includes rowboats, canoes, kayaks and a sailboat, all of which can be checked out for free by the public after a short safety demonstration. Come explore the Petaluma River and Watershed for yourself!
WATERSHED CLASSROOM
Friends of the Petaluma River believes that educators are our community’s most important resource. By teaching Petaluma’s youth, our teachers are guiding future generations of Petalumans whose decisions will determine the health and vitality of our wetlands and other natural resources.
Friends of the Petaluma River is committed to supporting Petaluma educators and the implementation of curriculum that focuses on our community’s most important natural resource, the Petaluma River and Watershed. Participating educators will receive a $500 stipend to use to design and implement their new curriculum.
To date over 3000 students from 13 different schools have learned about the Petaluma Watershed through this program. Visit our website, watershedclassroom.org to learn more about current projects, teacher resources or to sign up to participate.
Contact Stephanie Bastianon at (707) 763-7756 or stephanie@FriendsofthePetalumaRiver.org for more information.
ADOPT-A-CREEK
Want to support ongoing stewardship of the Petaluma Watershed? Adopt a creek! Businesses, schools/classrooms, community groups and individuals that want to make a difference in their community creeks, can directly benefit a local creek. With support from Friends, Adopters help remove trash and monitor conditions in their Creek. Adopters will be recognized at the creek site, on the Friends’ website and through social media marketing. Commitments are a year in length. Creek sections are approximately 1 – .5 mile in length.
Sign up today to adopt a creek and we’ll work with you to create a plan that fits your team’s needs. Be a part of the solution to River pollution – Adopt a creek!
There are 3 ways to participate:
- Sponsor a Creek – sponsors fund cleanup activities at their creek and receive recognition for their support at the creek, on Friends’ website and through our social media channels
- Adopter – adopters volunteer in groups to provide cleanup, restoration, and monitoring at their creek site. Adopters are also recognized on our website and at the creek.
- Sponsor/Adopter – fund a creek site and volunteer to steward it!