Thank you for visiting our website! We hope that you are reading this because your child is coming to the Redwood Valley Outdoor Education Project (RVOEP) for a field trip with his/her class! RVOEP provides outdoor learning adventures that will give your child an understanding and appreciation of the natural world. You are invited to come along to share in this adventure and help assist with supervision. Read the important field trip information below to help your child get the most from his/her RVOEP experience. Please visit our program page to learn more about our grade level programs and what your child will experience.

Check out our Resources for Family Adventures to find ideas for places to have outdoor adventures with your children.

Important Field Trip Information

What to wear:

All participants in RVOEP programs should wear long pants and good hiking shoes. No shorts or sandals, please. Fall and early spring mornings are VERY COLD at the RVOEP, so a warm jacket or layered clothing is a must. A sweatshirt is generally not warm enough. Don’t forget the raincoat and rubber boots if the weather looks iffy. RVOEP does have rain ponchos for student use if necessary.

What to bring:

Your child should bring the following items in a daypack:

• Healthy snack – Suggestions: cheese, fruit, peanut butter and celery, sliced apple, nuts, or an extra sandwich
• Healthy lunch – Please try to pack lunch and snacks in reusable containers. We are trying to encourage students to REDUCE and REUSE, as well as RECYCLE.
• Warm jacket or layered clothing and a raincoat if the weather indicates a chance of rain Note: Mornings at the RVOEP can be very cold and a sweatshirt often does not provide enough warmth.
• Reusable water bottle with name (This is optional since there are drinking fountains available.)

Please do not bring gum, sodas, or candy.

What about poison oak?

Poison oak is widespread in Mendocino County. It is an important habitat plant for many wildlife species. The RVOEP staff and volunteers work hard to keep RVOEP hiking trails clear of poison oak. To avoid contact with poison oak RVOEP study groups stick to the trails and are careful about what plants students are allowed to touch. Students will learn how to identify poison oak and how to avoid exposure to it. As after any hike, when students return home it is recommended that they put their clothes in the washer, take a lukewarm shower to clean off any accidental exposure to poison oak, and check closely for ticks.

Where is the RVOEP?

The RVOEP is located on a 45-acre woodland owned by the UUSD in Redwood Valley. Here are directions in case you are driving to the RVOEP: Directions to the RVOEP.

NOTE TO PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Parent help during RVOEP field trips is greatly appreciated! Please be aware that programs for 3^rd through 6^th grades do involve hiking up and down steep hills. Volunteers should follow the RVOEP guidelines for what to wear.

We ask that parent volunteers not bring younger children. This is a special experience to share with your child and you will have the important job of helping supervise on the trails and during breaks. Please turn cell phones off during your RVOEP visit.

Resources for Family Adventures

The California State Park system offers a wide variety of interesting ecosystems to explore with your family. Learn more at: http://www.parks.ca.gov/

Peregrine Audubon Chapter provides fascinating monthly programs for the community that focus on birds and a variety of other wildlife species. They also have monthly outings led by birding experts to a variety of local habitats. Find out details at the chapter website: http://www.peregrineaudubon.org/

The Ukiah Valley Trail Group has constructed several local trails that are open to the public for hiking and mountain biking. Get directions at: http://mendotrails.org/trails/

Please reach out to Erich Sommer at [email protected], for more information

Links to:

Directions

MAP of RVOEP Trails