Program Overview
Join us for Third Fridays at the EcoCenter and Fourth Fridays on Field Trips!
For all homeschool and at-home learning students.
Environmental Volunteers’ Homeschool Program for 2022/2023 is specifically designed for homeschool and independent-study learners from ages 6 – 11 who are interested in natural sciences. During our Third Friday Classroom Program series, EV docents will lead students through fun educational activities, covering topics such as local birds, marine ecology, forest ecology, power generation and more! Participants will have the opportunity to get hands-on, ask questions and explore additional topics at their own pace. The classroom subject areas are intended to progress over the course of the year by ages and grade levels (Kinder through 6th grade). This will provide more age and developmentally appropriate programming for your child.
Our Fourth Friday Field Trip series is designed to help students and their families get to know the amazing Open Space Areas right here in the Bay Area. Participants will be split into small groups, and guided by a knowledgeable, experienced field trip leader during a 2-3 hour exploration of a local open space.
Generally, each month will have one regularly scheduled classroom program at the EV EcoCenter in Palo Alto, and one off-site field trip (locations will vary each month). Additional dates are available by appointment. Families are welcome to register for as many programs as they’d like. Both classroom programs and field trips are open to all children ages 6 and older. Please review details below before filling out the Online Registration Form.
Classroom Components
When: Third Friday of the Month (except Sept, Dec and June)
Time: 10:00AM-11:30AM
Location: Environmental Volunteers’ EcoCenter
Program Fee: $8 per child, per session (scholarships available)
Registration/Payment Deadline: 1 week prior to each session (payment is not accepted on-site)
Field Trips
When: Fourth Friday of the Month (except Sept, Nov, Dec and June)
Time: 9:30AM-11:30AM
Location: Varies
Program Fee: $8 per child, per session (scholarships available)
Registration/Payment Deadline: 1 week prior to each session (payment is not accepted on-site)
NOTE: Some field trip sites as indicated below require drop-off (only) due to parking constraints. For all other locations, parents are welcome to either stay or drop-off.
*Before registering, please review the notes and requirements for participation:
- Due to space constraints, parents/guardians are invited to drop students off for the duration of each classroom program (they are not required to stay on-site).
- Students will be divided into small groups for each field trip, based on age. Each group will be led by a EV field trip leader, with at least one additional adult/parent chaperone (parents are welcome to stay and attend field trips).
- Each family should register for their own children; please do not register for children that are not members of your own household or for whom you are not the legal guardian of.
- If you’re interested in registering a homeschool group, co-op or team, please contact Toby directly (homeschool@environmentalvolunteers.org) for a by-appointment option.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the nature of the trails we’ll be exploring, strollers and younger siblings are not permitted on field trips. Families/groups are responsible for their own transportation to/from each site. Any questions, please contact Toby (homeschool@environmentalvolunteers.org).
Program Calendar for 2022-2023 School Year:
Exact field trip locations subject to change, depending on weather and Covid-19 conditions
September 23rd: Palo Alto Baylands – Scientific Observation Focus. 9:30-11:30am. See map.
October 21st: Classroom Program at Palo Alto EcoCenter. 10-11:30am. “All About Birds”
October 28th: Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve. Birds and Ecology Focus. 9:30-11:30am.
November 18th: Classroom Program at Palo Alto EcoCenter. 10-11:30am. “Foothills Adaptations”
December 2nd: Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. Weather and Climate focus. 9:30-11:30am.
December 9th: Classroom Program at Palo Alto EcoCenter. 10-11:30am. “Weather & Climate”
January 20th: Classroom Program at Palo Alto EcoCenter. 10-11:30am. “Sustainable Art”
January 27th: Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. Foothills Ecology focus. 9:30-11:30am. Requires drop-off due to parking limitations.
February 17th: Classroom Program at Palo Alto EcoCenter. 10-11:30am. “Power Generation”
February 24th: Bedwell Bayfront Park. Power and Renewable Resource focus. 9:30-11:30am.
March 17th: Classroom Program at Palo Alto EcoCenter. 10-11:30am. “Earthquake Geology”
March 24th: Los Trancos Open Space Preserve. Earthquake focus. 9:30-11:30am. See map.
April 21st: Classroom Program at Palo Alto EcoCenter. 10-11:30am. “Human Impacts”
April 28th: Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve. Human Impacts focus. Requires drop-off due to parking limitations. 9:30-11:30am.
May 19th: Classroom Program at Palo Alto EcoCenter. 10-11:30am. “Marine Ecology Design Challenge”
May 26th: Half Moon Bay Tidepools. Tidepools Ecology focus. 10am-12pm. IMPORTANT NOTE: This field trip is for children ages 8-11, only.
June 2nd: Lake Cunningham Park. Stewardship focus.