Connecting Children to Nature

Nestled against the Santa Ana Mountains, Rancho Soñado serves as the headquarters of Inside the Outdoors' environmental education program. It’s also 1 of the program’s 15 popular field trips sites. Surrounded by preserves and national forest, Rancho Soñado gives students a chance to explore local ecology in a pristine environment.  Ecosystems represented include a pond, a riparian area, oak woodland, and chaparral. 

Fifth grade students explore the ecology of the Santa Ana Mountains through the following activities:

Water Station
Students participate in hands-on activities in which they learn about the hydrosphere, the amount of fresh water available on Earth, and water reuse. Students also learn about the source of their local water.

Wetland Assessment
Students use the scientific method to determine if the nonliving factors present in a pond are suitable for sustaining organisms. Working in teams, students measure the temperature, pH, clarity and salinity of the water. They will also survey plant and animal variety. Then, students compile their data and develop conclusions.

Plant Labs
Students work in cooperative groups at various lab stations to learn how plants adapt to dry conditions in the chaparral ecosystem. 

Energy Trail
Students learn about different native animals and be able to identify where they get their energy.

Pedometers

 We could go on and on here about the picturesque scenery and natural wildlife that’s right in our own backyard, but words won't do it justice. We invite you to tagalong with some visiting Anaheim elementary students in this video link:  http://newsroom.ocde.us/science-gets-immersive-at-rancho-sonado/

Inside the Outdoors has been nurturing student knowledge and stewardship of the natural environment since 1974. The award-winning program aligns with the state’s instructional standards — including the Next Generation Science Standards — and offers 14 field trip locations throughout Orange County and 1 in Los Angeles County.

Note:  Inside the Outdoors is administered by the Orange County Department of Education, but receives no tax-based funding.  Inside the Outdoors Foundation was established in 1994 to provide sponsorship opportunities for low-income studnets through non-profit fundraising, grants and donations.