The desert fauna of Joshua Tree National Park provides the backdrop for our unique Desert Introduction Program. Students are exposed to intricate living systems in the California desert environment that offer a wide variety of learning opportunities. This program is an excellent introduction to outdoor living as it provides a reasonable level of challenge with a high level of comfort.
The students sleep in tents, or possibly under the stars, in a base camp or on the trail, and are responsible for cooking meals as a group, developing low-impact camping skills, and learning how to survive in one of the most dynamic landscapes in the world. The contrast between the high Mojave Desert in the west and the low Colorado Desert in the east provides an extraordinary setting for the discovery of life, while encouraging appreciation and enjoyment of the outdoors.
This experiential program focuses on learning through direct, hands-on experiences and interactive exploration of the unique surroundings. The impression Joshua Tree National Park leaves may be unforgettable, but equally enduring are the new skills, attitudes, and self-discoveries that students learn after a program of this nature.
