Independence and responsibility
Children practice taking care of themselves and of one another. From pitching in as part of a team to learning new skills, they build confidence and feel the pull of shared responsibility.
More than a tradition
Every year, students step away from the routine and into nature, community, and a fair amount of adventure.
What begins as a school tradition quickly becomes a transformative experience.
Students in grades two and above spend two nights camping together. Our youngest students in K-1 join for an extended day trip designed just for them.
The Santa Monica Mountains and the nearby coastline provide the backdrop: hiking local trails, learning about the surrounding ecosystems, visiting the beach and tide pools with lifeguards on duty, and sleeping in tents under a sky full of stars.
Why we camp
Living together, preparing meals, and being in nature without parents creates a space that a classroom cannot.
Friendship and connection
Camping makes room for friendships to grow. Students deepen existing bonds and form new ones in ways that go well beyond the classroom walls.
Leadership in action
A new environment reveals new strengths. Whether solving a problem, stepping up, or simply trying something unfamiliar, students find fresh ways to shine.
The trip is part of the curriculum
Camping is one of several Learning Expeditions that turn Southern California into an extended classroom.