FIELD SCHOOL
Join our 2026 Field Institute Enrichment Classes, where students build friendships, connect with local plants and wildlife, learn outdoor skills, and grow through place-based adventures that support confidence, well-being, and joy in nature.
*Ages listed for classes are somewhat flexible
*Charter funds accepted
Adventure Leaders
2026-2027
Adventure Leaders is the flagship youth leadership program of Healthy Footprints Adventure Community. Students grow into capable leaders who care for their communities and the natural world while gaining real-world skills through conservation projects, outdoor education, service learning, leadership experiences, and contributing to real-world scientific data collection. As they explore local ecosystems, practice teamwork, and make a meaningful impact, they also build confidence, responsibility, friendships, and purpose.
Students may also choose optional pathways to develop their strengths in photography, journalism, public speaking, project planning, community outreach, creative media, and supporting youth programs.
Highlights include monthly meetups, service projects, mentorship, optional overnight adventures, and optional online workshops. Office hours may also be offered for goal setting, future planning, and building portfolios for college applications, scholarships, internships, and future careers.
Student Council or Elective Credit may be available through participating charter schools.
Various Meeting Locations
10am–2pm
Open to grades 5–12
Third Friday of each month, September through May
$99 registration fee, due upon enrollment
$499 Fall, $599 Spring, charter funds accepted
FALL 2026
Field School - Mondays / Thursdays (new!)
Often called "their favorite day of the week" by our students! Parents also say this day in nature allows for more happy, focused children the rest of the week.
Join our immersive field class where students explore plants, wildlife, ecology, outdoor skills, and social-emotional growth through meaningful outdoor experiences. Enjoy guided ecology walks led by professional naturalists, along with hands-on lessons, nature art, games, birding, herping, and more! All designed to deepen connection, confidence, and joy in the natural world.
Day: Mondays, Thursdays
Time: 10am-2pm
Age: Recommended for ages 5-12
Location: Glendora trails
Type: Drop-Off
Semester Dates: September 14th - December 18th
No class during the weeks of October 5th, November 23rd
Cost: One Day per week is $799 for the semester or $210 per month, Two Days is $1250 per semester or $325 per month
Family Field School (Parent Participation)
Families explore the natural world together through discovery hikes, nature play, crafts, stories, and seasonal outdoor learning experiences led by professional educators and naturalists.
A chance to slow down, connect, and make meaningful memories outdoors.
We are currently offering this program as occasional single-day classes and special family pop-up events rather than a weekly semester format.
Join us for future opportunities to learn and explore together.
Wednesday
Teen Field School
California Jr. Naturalist
California is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and home to remarkable ecosystems found nowhere else. In this immersive field class, teens explore the chaparral and riparian habitats of Southern California while learning about native plants, wildlife, watersheds, outdoor skills, and conservation.
Through guided hikes, hands-on learning, field journaling, and outdoor challenges, students build naturalist skills, confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection to the world around them. Each class encourages curiosity, teamwork, independence, and personal growth through meaningful outdoor experiences.
Designed as the next step for older students ready for more challenge and depth after outgrowing our Monday or Thursday programs, this class offers advanced learning, greater responsibility, and teen-level connection.
This class is repeatable, with new topics, seasonal discoveries, and continued skill-building each semester. Returning students receive a unique collectible pin and certificate created especially for this older naturalist group.
Recommended for ages 10–17
**Optional projects may be available by request for academic enrichment or A-G aligned coursework.
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 10am-2pm
Age: Recommended for ages 10-17
Location: Glendora trails
Type: Drop-Off
Semester Dates: September 14th - December 18th
No class during the weeks of October 5th, November 23rd
Cost: $799 for the semester or $210 per month
Nature Lab
After-School Club
Nature Lab is an afternoon hands-on enrichment series where students explore outdoor skills, creativity, independence, resilience, and adventure through meaningful experiences in nature.
Session 1: Survival Science
Students investigate wilderness skills through the lens of science and problem solving. Topics may include fire chemistry and spark-making, shelter design, water purification concepts, cordage engineering from plant fibers, navigation, edible plant awareness, risk assessment, and basic wilderness emergency response. 6-week Session Cost: $350
Session 2: Nature Art
Students create paints, pigments, paper, brushes, dyes, and other art supplies from natural materials while learning about plants, minerals, color, and creative expression. 6-week Session Cost: $350
All Semester: Hiking Club & Outdoor Skills
Throughout the semester, students build confidence and connection through guided hikes, trail safety, outdoor games, observation skills, nature journaling, teamwork, and practical outdoor skills.
Nature Lab encourages creativity, resilience, curiosity, and joyful learning in the outdoors. Semester Cost: $599
Day: Mondays / Wednesdays Hiking Club
Time: 3pm-5pm
Age: Recommended for ages 8-17 (depending on class)
Location: Glendora
Type: Drop-Off
Semester Dates: September 14th - December 18th
Photography
This 6-week hands-on photography class helps students learn how to use a DSLR camera while exploring creativity, observation, and visual storytelling. Students will practice camera settings such as focus, exposure, shutter speed, aperture, and composition while building confidence behind the lens.
Through guided challenges and outdoor photo opportunities, participants learn how to capture nature, people, movement, and meaningful moments in creative ways.
Day: Mondays 2:15-4:15
Time: 2:15-4:15
Age: Recommended for ages 10-17
Location: Glendora trails
Type: Drop-Off
Cost: $450 for the 6-week session
Spring 2027
Marine Environmental Education
Exploring California Underwater Ecosystems: Virtual & In-person
In the spring we are diving into the underwater world of California through a series of live online classes designed for students ages ten through seventeen. Together we explore kelp forests, seagrass meadows, coastal food webs, and the community science programs that help protect our ocean. Students get a real look at how divers, snorkelers, and shoreline observers collect data and how new ocean technology is changing the way we study marine life.
Students who complete the required classes can join us for an optional field science day on Catalina Island, where we will snorkel through the kelp forest, complete a REEF fish survey, and conduct an MPA Watch survey at Casino Point. It is an exciting way to bring everything learned online into the real world and to experience one of the most beautiful marine locations in California.
Day: Mondays, Online
Time: 6:30 - 7:30
Age: Recommended for ages 10-17
Location: Online, Field Day in Catalina
Dates: Coming Soon!
Environmental Education
School Outreach Programs
If you’re interested in arranging a private workshop for your school, homeschool group, scouts group, organization, corporate team, or any other group, please reach out to schedule a custom experience. We also help host nature birthday parties!
Various Workshops & Field Trips
throughout the year
We offer a variety of immersive nature field trips and workshops year-round, covering a wide range of engaging topics. Activities may include plant identification walks, insect discovery hikes, bird-watching, ropes course days, lessons in community science, nature journaling, gratitude circles, night hikes, basket weaving, survival skills, nature-inspired art, animal tracking, and much more! Check our events page regularly for upcoming dates.
Private Science Tutoring
Need extra support in science, a fresh perspective, or help catching up? We offer private one-on-one science tutoring for students in grades 4 through 12 through convenient Zoom sessions.
Our tutoring is designed for students who may be behind, struggling with current coursework, preparing for exams, or simply needing concepts explained in a clearer and more engaging way. We meet students where they are and help build confidence step by step.
Topics may include:
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General science
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Life science
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Earth science
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Biology
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Environmental science
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Study skills and organization for science classes
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Homework support and test prep
Sessions are personalized to each student’s needs, pace, and learning style.
Format: Private Zoom tutoring
Grades: 4th–12th
Rate: $70 per hour
Give your student the support they need to succeed in science with encouraging, individualized instruction.