Click here
for samples of schedules that other school
groups have used during their stay at
the Ed Center, and click here
for group menu samples and tips. The schedules
and menus are available as PDF files and
can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you don't have Acrobat Reader, click
on the Adobe icon or here
to get it.
The Clem Miller Environmental
Education Center is located in secluded
Hidden Valley just two miles from the
expansive white sands of Limantour Beach
in Point Reyes National Seashore. The
National Seashore encompasses over 70,000
acres of open space and woodlands with
30 miles of protected coastline along
the shores of the Pacific Ocean and Tomales
Bay.
The Clem Miller Environmental Education
Center is designed as a living and learning
facility where students and teachers can
explore the natural world. The main building
is a 4,500 square foot cedar lodge complete
with a dining hall, science room, teacher's
room and a fully equipped kitchen. A central
bathroom facility houses toilets, basins
and heated showers. Four 16-person and
one 20-person dormitory style cabins accommodate
up to 80 people. A separate building has
an infirmary, laundry room, two bunk rooms
and a manager's office. This building
and the main lodge, bathrooms and two
cabins are wheelchair accessible.
The Center has no staff except the manager.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of
the visiting school group to provide their
own program and services. This includes
shopping and preparing food, cleaning
the Center, providing adult supervision
for students, and developing and implementing
an environmental education program.
The Clem Miller Environmental Education
Center is a unique and special resource.
The facility and its beautiful natural
surroundings of Point Reyes National Seashore
provides a low-cost environmental education
experience where students, teachers and
adults develop their connection to the
natural world while living in a community.
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The idea for an outdoor
teaching center in Point Reyes National
Seashore grew along with the park. The
land where the Center is located, formally
Laguna Ranch, was acquired in 1971 and
it seemed an ideal site for an environmental
education facility. A cooperative effort
by the local educational community and
the National Park Service defined goals
for developing a Point Reyes Environmental
Education Center.
The Center's Purposes
- Promote educational uses of resources
within Point Reyes by providing an outdoor
teaching facility within the Seashore.
- Stimulate environmental awareness
and a sense of humans' role in the total
environment by providing an overnight
outdoor living experience.
- Encourage on-going environmental education
curriculum by having each teacher develop
and implement an environmental education
program and by emphasizing the importance
of preparation and follow-up.
- Support thorough planning and program
development by offering periodic teacher
workshops.
- Encourage student involvement in all
phases of environmental education.
- Provide a low-cost environmental education
experience to schools.
In 1976, the Center was named in honor of
Congressman Clem Miller who was devoted
to the creation of the National Seashore.
"We strongly believe it
is in the national interest to capitalize
on the few remaining clear opportunities
to save our vanishing shoreline for public
recreational use, particularly the very
few still unspoiled and outstanding shoreline
areas near large concentrations of population
... It seems to us ...that Point Reyes
Peninsula presents such a clear opportunity...
If we act sensibly and foresightedly now,
while the opportunity remains, we shall
have preserved for America and for California
and for the people of Marin County a priceless
heritage to be enjoyed many times over,
not only by our generation, but also by
those which follow."
Clem Miller and Clair Engle Joint statement
upon introducing Point Reyes National
Seashore bills in the 87th Congress. January,
1961
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Who
Teaches
The Center Manager supports teachers
throughout the planning phase by providing
sample schedules, menus, advice and conducting
an environmental education workshop. The
workshop provides teachers with a variety
of hands-on, thought-provoking activates
designed to teach ecological concepts
in the outdoors. In addition, the Center's
library and discovery kits are available
to teachers during their stay at the Center.
Teaching at the Clem Miller Environmental
Education Center is entirely the responsibility
of teachers who bring students to stay
there. The Center provides the resource:
the National Seashore and facilities.
Visiting groups provide their own leadership
and teaching.
While it is the teachers' responsibility
to do the teaching, there are a myriad
of educational programs and opportunities
within the park. The Seashore offers a
variety of ranger-led education programs
available by advance registration including
habitat restoration, a visit to Kule Loklo:
A Coast Miwok Village, whale watching
at the headlands and tours of the Point
Reyes Lighthouse. Self-guided opportunities
include the Earthquake trail, the Morgan
Horse Farm and the three visitor centers
in the park are valuable educational resources
as well. The advantage of creating and
executing your own environmental education
program is that you can tailor it to compliment
other subject areas in your core curriculum.
From geology to maritime history, ecology
to animal physiology, plant communities
to oceanography, Point Reyes offers opportunities
to study these subject areas and more.
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Who Makes Things Happen
The Center has a kitchen but no cook,
a woodpile but no wood carrier, recycling
bins but no janitor. Visiting groups are
responsible for the routine daily requirements
- groups cook their own meals, bring in
the wood and clean-up after themselves.
Groups are responsible for thoroughly
cleaning the Center the day they leave.
Sweeping floors, washing windows, picking
up litter, stacking tables and chairs,
scrubbing the shower stalls are some of
the chores that need to be done on the
last day. Getting all this done at the
Center is a group learning experience
requiring teamwork and the involvement
of everyone. Through working together,
students leave the Center with greater
group cooperation skills than when they
arrived.
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The Center manager is a resource person
who can help make a group's stay at the
Center go smoothly. The Center manager
is available to help teachers plan their
stay and assist groups once they have
arrived. Specifically, the Center manager's
role includes:
Supervision - greet and orientate
arriving groups,check-out teaching resources,
explain equipment operation, and final
check-out inspection.
Maintenance and repair - improvements
and upkeep of the facilities, assist
visitors with minor "malfunctions."
Camp business - reservation and
contract use of the Center.
Workshop instruction - teach ecological
based activities and trail techniques
to teachers.
Back-up assistance - in special
problem cases and emergencies. In summary,
while the schedule of events is in the
teacher's hands, the Center manager
can help iron out the details, provide
suggestions, and, as time permits, provide
on-site teaching and logistical assistance.
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Lodge -
The main building is a 4,500 square foot
cedar building with 2 large rooms. The
larger rooms serves as a dining area while
the smaller room is set up as a library
with educational and audio-visual materials.
The building also contains a large kitchen
equipped with a Wolf gas range, a commercial
refrigerator and freezer, an automatic
dishwasher and plenty of cabinets for
storage space. Pots, pans, cooking utensils
and dish ware are provided. Groups bring
their own food and any special equipment
they require. A room designated for teachers
has shelves for teaching supplies, a desk
and phone. The phone is reserved for emergency
and essential calls only. Calls must be
collect, charged to a home number or to
a phone card.
Cabins
- There
are 5 cabins (cabin #1-4 sleep 16 people
each, #5 sleeps 20) which are unfurnished,
except for wooden bunk beds with 3 inch
mattresses. There is no heat in the cabins
so groups are advised to bring warm sleeping
bags. Every camper needs a flashlight
as the cabins have no electricity. Due
to fire regulations, gas lanterns, propane
heaters, and candles are prohibited in
the cabins. Two cabins are wheel chair
accessible. Park policy states that there
is to be no sleeping in any other location
besides the cabins.
Annex -
This newly constructed multi-purpose
building has electricity,heating, air
conditioning, an infirmary, laundry room,
a bathroom and manager's office. Two carpeted
bunk rooms are perfect for adults who
are opposed to "roughing it."
Wheelchair accessible.
Restrooms
- A central
building houses toilets, washbasins and
heated showers. There is no electricity
in the bathroom, however a photosensitive
light comes on as it becomes dark. Wheelchair
accessible.
Campfire Circle
- Located
in the same valley as the Center and tucked
up against the hillside is the campfire
circle. At one time a quarry to provide
rock for road building in the area, the
campfire circle backdrop is now a beautiful
example of plate tectonics and the movement
of the earth. There is a stage and benches
around a fire pit.
Parking
- It is
unsafe for buses to drive down the steep,
narrow road to the Center and illegal
for buses to enter the Center parking
lot as there is no room to turn around.
There is a bus parking lot and loading
area specifically for the Center on Limantour
road above the camp. A 1/2 mile trail
leads students from the bus parking lot
into camp. Automobiles can drive into
the Center and use the temporary parking
area for loading or unloading. At other
times, all vehicles, except one for emergencies,
must be kept outside the main center area.
A parking lot for the Center is located
approximately 200 yards from the buildings.
The field between the Youth Hostel and
the Center gate can be used for overflow
parking.
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The Center is
located in Point Reyes National Seashore
on National Park Service property. Therefore,
groups using the Center must follow all
NPS regulations as stated in the U.S.Code,
Title 36 of the code of Federal Regulations.
These regulations are for everyone's benefit.
It is important that all group members
be aware of and follow NPS regulations
and Center rules. Groups receive specific
information regarding NPS regulations
and Center rules prior to their arrival.
Specific Center rules include:
- Smoking is prohibited in all buildings.
- Pets are not allowed at the Center.
- No food or drink allowed in the cabins.
- Alcohol or drugs are not permitted
at the Center.
- Cars must be parked in the parking
lot between the Center and Hostel.
- No Styrofoam at the Center.
- No RV's and campers allowed at the
Center.
Safety is a matter of common sense. It
is the responsibility of every group member
to be conscious of safety issues. The
health and safety of everyone at camp
needs to be of utmost concern.
Every group needs to bring their own
first aid kits, including a first aid
kit for field excursions. Group leaders
should to be aware of any and all medical
concerns before arriving at camp. Teachers
should have parents fill out health disclosure
forms in preparation to their visit.
Groups receive detailed
information about safety issues and emergency
procedures before they arrive on site.
While the Center is located near designated
wilderness, it is in close proximity to
health clinics and hospitals. The Seashore's
law enforcement rangers are trained medical
personnel who can respond quickly to an
emergency at the Center.
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Prerequisites
for Use of the Center
Reservations
- Reservations are required and available
to new schools on a first-come, first-serve
basis. Teachers may plan a 3 or 5 day
environmental education program of their
own design (3 day programs are scheduled
only in the months of August, September,
November, December, January and February.)
Reservations can be made up to 18 months
in advance. First priority is given to
schools who have completed all prerequisites.
A $440 deposit must accompany your
reservation. After staying once at the
Center, your school will be included in
the annual reservation lottery.
Teacher
Training - Group leaders must complete
a prerequisite-requisite weekend Teacher
Training Workshop conducted at the
Center by a specialist in the field of
environmental education. The workshop
provides teachers with active, thought-provoking
activities that teach ecological concepts
as well as practical trail techniques
for teaching in the outdoors. This workshop
is open to the public, so teachers renting
the Center must make a reservation to
attend. This workshop is available to
teachers at no charge who have a date
reserved to rent the Center.
Use
Agreement Contract - A Use Agreement
Contract will be sent to you upon receipt
of your deposit. It must be signed by
you and returned to the Point Reyes National
Seashore Association office within 30
days.
Certificate
of Liability Insurance - Proof
of comprehensive public liability insurance
coverage is required by all groups who
use the Center. A copy of the policy with
current expiration date must be sent to
the Point Reyes National Seashore Association
office at least 60 days prior to a group's
arrival. (See sample
insurance form.)
Group
Size - Group size at the Center
may not exceed 80 people.
Itinerary
- A copy of the group's itinerary, including
a summary of lesson plans, must be sent
to the Center manager at least two weeks
prior to arrival.
Chaperones
- All groups must have a ratio of 1 adult
for every 8 students.
Payment
- Final payment for the use of the Center
is due on the last day of a group's stay
or on a prearranged date. The fee is figured
on a per day (not per night) basis. It
is the responsibility of the teacher in
charge to keep records of all people who
are at the site each day. The 2007 cost
is $13.50/person/day. There is a 40 person
minimum fee: $540/day.
Who to Contact
- For further
information, workshop schedules, or reservations,
please contact the Center Director at
(415) 663.1200 ext.305, or by email,
or by writing:
Clem Miller Environmental Education
Center
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes, CA 94956
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1) Determine the length of your stay
- 3 or 5 days. Choose your dates by coordinating
your school calendar with the Center's
calendar.
2) Determine your goals and objectives.
3) Make a budget that includes:
* Transportation
* Food
* Substitute costs
* Facility rental fee
* Supplies - teaching, arts & crafts,
equipment
4) Determine how you are going to finance
your trip.
* Fundraising
* Parental assistance
* School field trip fund
* Combination of the above
5) Propose your trip to school administration.
6) Call Education Center Director at
(415) 663-1200 est. 305 to check available dates
and make a reservation.
* Send deposit
* Sign and return Use Agreement contract
* Register and attend the Env. Education
Workshop
7) Meet with parents to promote trip
and enlist help.
* Safety concerns
* Purpose and value of trip
* Recruit parents as volunteers/chaperones
* Logistics of trip: where, when, how
8) Develop your curriculum, organize
your schedule and if you want to participate
in a National Park Service education program
- make your reservations far in advance.
9) Arrange for proof of liability insurance
to be sent to Point Reyes Education Programs
at least two months prior to your arrival
10) Send goals and schedule to Center
manager at least 2 weeks prior to your
arrival (or 3-4 weeks ahead if you want
suggestions or feedback.)
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Planning a trip to the Center involves
a great many considerations. Making arrangements
for (and making the most of) the living
and learning experience requires thorough
preparation and follow-up. This section
outlines the elements of a successful
trip in three categories: before your
stay, during your stay and after your
stay.
Before
Your Stay
Logistics
- The
logistics of an overnight trip call for
some down-to earth planning. It's beneficial
for students to be involved from the very
beginning to get the most out of the environmental
living experience.
Secure
funds for the trip from the
school district. Get students involved
with fund raising (plan a car wash,
recycling drive, etc.). Students who
participate in the fund raising process
are involved in the trip preparation
on a personal level.
Explain
your plan to students, parents, and
co-teachers.
Recruit
adults and cross-age counselors (with
a suggested ratio of one adult to eight
children.) Look for potential resources
within your parent groups.
Assemble
equipment you will need for your
trip from cooking supplies to teaching
materials (see equipment list.)
Plan meals
and purchase food. Involve students
in planning meals, budgeting, and food
shopping.
Arrange
for transportation whether it
be a school bus or personal vehicles.
Oversee
students' forms including checklist
of preparations, health release forms,
and permission forms. Make sure all
necessary paper work gets to parents
and is returned to you.
Plan your
curriculum for your stay at the
Center. Define your goals and objectives.
Goals
- What do
you want to accomplish as a class during
your stay at the Center? What levels of
awareness and self-expression do you hope
to stimulate in your students? What sort
of personal growth might you anticipate
for everyone involved? Most importantly,
why environmental education? Having a
clear understanding of your goals will
help all the other areas of planning fall
into place. Be sure to share your goals
and expectations with your students and
parents in the beginning of your planning.
Socialization
- This involves
preparing your students for a group experience
away from home and school. In order to
practice living and working together,
your group might plan a meal at school
or build cooperation skills through group
challenge activities. Cooperative menu
planning, food shopping, and pre-reassignment
of camp duties is especially effective
in helping students prepare for camp life.
Developing a class contract for a code
of behavior can be very successful.
Counselor
Orientation -
Prepare your adult helpers and
cross age counselors for the roles they'll
play to help achieve your goals for your
trip. Share with them as much information
as you can and instill upon them the importance
of being positive role models. The adults/counselors
you bring with you can be your biggest
asset or your most trouble.
Center
Requirements -
Be sure to meet all center requirements
before you arrive at camp.
• Teachers/group leaders
must attend a two-day workshop focused
on environmental education offered through
Point Reyes Education Programs.
• A deposit secures your group's
reservation.
• Each group's program goals and
schedule must be approved by the Center
manager prior to arrival.
• A copy of the school's liability
insurance coverage must be sent to the
Center manager at least 60 days prior
to the trip.
• A signed contract must be received
by the Center manager 30 days prior to
arrival.
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During
Your Stay
Daily
Maintenance - How will you
run your meals? Who will be in charge
of taking out the compost, bringing in
the wood, and the final inspection? It
is essential that this aspect of the camp
is well organized so that everyone is
aware of their duties at camp - otherwise
a few people will get stuck with all the
chores. Assigning chore duties to small
student groups with an adult leader is
one way to ensure that everyone pitches
in.
Basic
Needs - Are the basic
needs of your students (and adult helpers)
being met? Are they prepared for the weather,
a long hike to the beach, or a cold night
in the cabin? Do they feel safe and supported
in their surroundings? Are they getting
enough to eat? Is there an adult nearby
to provide supervision? The basic needs
of your group must be the first priority
in your program.
Daily
Schedule - Develop a schedule
for each day you stay at the Center and
make sure everyone knows what is going
on and where they belong. Post schedules
for everyone to see. Assign small groups
of students to adult chaperones for supervision.
Explain transportation arrival and departure
times to your group. Keep everyone informed
of changes.
Experiential
- What is each person experiencing while
participating in the program? A fundamental
purpose of the Center is to offer a setting
for discovering oneself as an integral
part of the total environment. For students,
the immediate environment includes the
natural community as well as the Center's
living facilities and all the people sharing
them. In addition to environmental education,
the camp situation gives group members
practice handling social relationships,
a chance to build friendships, and satisfaction
in working together as a group.
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After
Your Stay
Evaluation
and Impressions - How did the
camp experience measure up to your expectations?
Which activities worked best and why?
How would you change your program for
next year? Take time to reflect and write
notes about what worked well and what
you want to change. You can also keep
a record throughout the year of new ideas,
activities, and opportunities you want
to incorporate into your program. What
impressions and insights do your students
express? What did they experience and
learn at camp? Encourage everyone to express
themselves in either a whole group sharing
or with individual projects such as essays
or sketches. Ask for their feedback. What
would they change? What did they like
best?
Continued
Studies - The students' discoveries
and your outdoor lessons will provide
vivid references for your on-going curriculum
in natural science and other subjects.
Your environmental education program can
continue in the classroom if you continually
build upon the group's experience at camp.
With your leadership and encouragement,
students can apply their camp experience
to their school, home, and community.
Follow-up projects such as the creation
of an Ecology Club, adopt-a-creek, or
a school garden will instill a sense of
environmental responsibility and stewardship
in your students.
Sense
Of Team - Social growth is
seldom specified in a teacher's plan but
nonetheless is an important product of
the group's trip to camp. Your students
will return to the classroom with a stronger
collective identity which emerges from
the feeling that "we all did this
together." You can further develop
your group bonding experience in the classroom
by working together on group projects,
having sharing sessions, and continuing
to play.
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The Following Items Are
Permanently at the Center.
-
KITCHEN
SUPPLIES
- 1 large double door refrigerator
- 1 large freezer
- Fully automatic dishwasher
- 6 burner/griddle Wolf range
with 2 ovens
- Large water urn/coffee maker
- Storage shelves and cabinets
- Large cook pans with lids
- Various size saucepans with
lids
- Various size frying pans
- Baking trays
- Deep baking pans
- Various size mixing bowls
- Pitchers
- Colanders
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- Measuring cups/spoons
- Kitchen knives
- Graters
- Can/bottle openers
- Egg beaters/whips
- Pancake turners/spatulas
- Large spoons/forks/ladles
- Hot pad holders
- Grill scouring brick
- Various other kitchen gadgets
- Place settings for approximately
80 people including: dinner plates,
dessert plates, bowls, glasses,
cups, silverware
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CLEANING SUPPLIES
- Floor cleaner
- Window cleaner
- All-purpose disinfectant
- Scouring cleaner
- Soap for automatic dishwasher
- Laundry soap
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- Brooms & dustpans
- Dry & wet mops
- Mop buckets and wringers
- Toilet scrubbers
- Rubber gloves for cleaning
- Sponges
- Garbage bags
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-
TEACHING SUPPLIES
- Slide Projector
- Projection screens
- Extension cords
- TV and VCR
|
- Videos (educational)
- Discovery kits (teaching activities)
- Laminated ID charts (birds,
tide pools, beach scavenger hunt)
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-
OUTDOOR SUPPLIES
- Wood
- Ax for wood splitting
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- Garden tools
- Stationary barbecue grill
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-
OTHER
SUPPLIES
- Toilet paper
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-
-
GENERAL
SUPPLIES
- Food/beverages
- Napkins and paper towels
- Dish towels for drying pots
and pans
- Dish washing liquid for
washing pots & pans
- Special cookware required
- Briquettes and starting
fluid
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- Matches
- Quarters for doing laundry
- Portable first aid kits
- Kindling for starting fires
- Recreational equipment
- Teaching materials (pencils,
scissors, papers, pens, etc.)
|
-
- For the products you buy for your
stay at the Center, please consider
the following. Can they be recycled?
Is there a lot of packaging that will
end up in the garbage? Remember this
is an environmental education experience.
Styrofoam products are not allowed at
the Center.
-
CAMPERS'
EQUIPMENT LIST - ESSENTIAL
- Warm sleeping bag (extra blanket
in winter months)
- Flashlight with batteries
- Pajamas/sweats to sleep in
- Hiking boots/ sturdy shoes
- Extra pair of shoes (shoes
often get wet or muddy)
- Socks & underwear
- Jeans/long pants
- Shirts (short and long sleeve)
- Warm jacket/sweater
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- Rain gear
- Rubber boots ( for winter
weather)
- Comb/brush
- Shampoo and soap in container
- Hand towel and bath towel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Water bottle
- Warm hat
- Hat with a visor
- Sunblock
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-
- CAMPERS' EQUIPMENT
LIST - OPTIONAL
- Day pack
- Pillow
- Camera and film
- Binoculars
|
- ITEMS NOT ALLOWED
AT THE CENTER
- Radios/walkmans
- Gum and candy
- Pocket knives
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From
Hwy 101 in Novato or Hwy 37
- Driving time from Hwy 101 is about 1
hour. Take South Novato Blvd. Continue
on Novato Blvd. for approximately twenty
minutes, going through the town of Novato
and passing Stafford lake. The road dead-ends
at Point Reyes/Petaluma road. Turn left
onto Point Reyes/Petaluma Rd and continue
on this road until you reach a stop sign
at Platform Bridge Road. Go straight on
Platform Bridge Road for two miles until
the road ends at Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Turn right and continue until you reach
the stop sign in Olema on Hwy 1. See *
From the stop sign in Olema below.
From
Hwy 101 in Petaluma - Driving
time from Hwy 101 is about 1 hour. From
Hwy 101 take Petaluma Blvd North exit.
Stay on Petaluma Blvd all the way through
town to D street. D street turns into
Point Reyes/Petaluma Road. Continue on
this road until you reach a stop sign
at Platform Bridge Road. Go straight on
Platform Bridge Road for two miles until
the road ends at Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Turn right and continue until you reach
the stop sign in Olema on Hwy 1. See *
From the stop sign in Olema below.
From
Hwy 101 in Greenbrae or Hwy 580 - San
Rafael/Richmond Bridge - Driving
time from Hwy 101 is about 1 hour. From
101 or the 580 San Rafael/Richmond Bridge,
take the Sir Francis Drake Blvd/ San Anselmo
exit. While driving on Sir Francis Drake
you will pass through a continuation of
small towns and Samuel P. Taylor State
Park until you come to a stop sign in
Olema on Hwy 1 (21.5 miles from 101).
See * From
the stop sign in Olema below.
* From
the stop sign in Olema - Turn right
(North) towards Point Reyes Station. Drive
one block and turn left at the National
Seashore sign onto Bear Valley Road. Continue
1.3 miles until you see the sign for Limantour
beach. Turn left onto Limantour road and
continue for 6 miles. Turn left at the
sign for the Youth Hostel and Environmental
Education Center. Turn left and proceed
to the end of the road. There is a parking
lot halfway between the Hostel and Ed
Center. Please park your car here after
you have unloaded your gear at the Ed
Center. If the lot is full, you can park
on the side of the road between the Hostel
and parking lot.
The Ed Center lot
must be kept open for emergency vehicle
access. A group may keep one car at the
Ed Center lot.
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This page last
modified
April 10, 2008
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