Explore the Channel Islands With Your Grandchild

Program Registration: 4:00-5:15 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate and inform your group leader. Orientation: 5:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel.

We’ll get a detailed overview of tomorrow’s field trip from our Group Leader. Then, continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

On the Carpinteria State beach interpretive site — our outdoor classroom — we will learn about tomols with a local expert which were built and used by the local native communities to get to and from the Channel Islands. The Chumash used redwood, tar, and other natural materials found in the local area to build their tomols and regularly sailed between islands and to the mainland. We will build a replica tomols out of paper and string that we can bring home. Learn about the Chumash story of the Rainbow Bridge and the connection the “Island of the Blue Dolphins” story. We will finish our day at Carpinteria State Beach with a walk along the beach to find shells, kelp, and other creatures which Karana would have seen on the islands.

At a local restaurant.

We will continue our exploration of California habitats with a walk in the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park with our naturalist. Learn about the plants and animals that call the salt marsh home and why these habitats are important to humans and animals. We’ll board the motorcoach for return to the hotel, marveling at the breathtaking coastline along our way.

At the hotel.

We’ll be joined by a member of the local Chumash Tribe to learn about some of the legends and stories passed down through the tribe for generations.

At the hotel.

We will start our day with a presentation from a local expert about Karana's world. Learn about local Chumash culture and Chumash womens' daily lives on the Channel Islands. We’ll board a motorcoach at the hotel and ride to the Channel Islands National Park Largomarsino Visitor Center in Ventura Harbor. There, we will have an opportunity to watch a short movie, “Treasure in the Sea,” narrated by Kevin Costner. We will also meet and talk with park personnel, walk through the native plant garden, and view exhibits that highlight the natural and cultural features of the islands. Channel Islands National Park and its 175 miles of pristine coastline are within 60 miles of 18 million people, yet it has fewer than 300,000 visitors a year — quite low for an American national park! We’ll then have some time for independent exploration to browse and enjoy the scenic view from the tower before walking into Harbor Village.

At a restaurant along the harbor.

Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At the hotel we will meet a local expert who will lead our examination of the fictional life of Karana, heroine of “Island of the Blue Dolphins.” The book was inspired by the real-life story of a Native American who became known as the “Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island.” (San Nicolas Island is now owned by the U.S. Navy and not open to the public.) She apparently survived alone from 1835 until she was found in 1853 and taken to the mainland.

At the hotel.

We’ll be joined by a local expert who will tell us about Santa Cruz Island in preparation for tomorrow’s field trip. We’ll also have preparation for the boat ride to/from, hiking on, and snorkeling within the island. Channel Islands National Park is comprised of five of the eight Channel Islands, each with a surrounding mile of aquatic environment. The islands are divided into two groups: the Northern islands and Southern islands. Historically, the Chumash people occupied the Northern islands while the Tongva lived on the Southern islands until the early 19th century, when they were relocated to Spanish missions and pueblos. These Native American populations used canoes to travel freely between the islands and the mainland. The park today is home to more than 2,000 animal and plant species; nearly 150 are found nowhere else. Next, we’ll cover the basics of snorkeling from expert divers and be fitted for our wetsuits and snorkeling gear. The class will be held in the hotel pool so that we can become comfortable with the gear and practice snorkeling.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

After lunch, we will gather at the hotel and head to the beach. We will learn about watersport safety and test out the waves by playing in the surf at a beach near the hotel. Learn how to boogie board or body surf in the waves.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

Boarding a motorcoach, we will ride to Harbor Village and board a boat that will take us to Santa Cruz Island — largest of the Channel Islands — about 25 miles off the mainland. After decades of dedicated restoration and conservation, the landscape of canyons, peaks, valleys, and 77 miles of coastline will give us an idea of what southern California was like centuries ago. Once we arrive, we will utilize our newly learned snorkeling skills with the expert supervision of a local island concessionaire with special permission from the National Park Service. We’ll be able to observe swaying kelp forests close to shore and be on the lookout for marine life and any island residents.

At a scenic spot on the island, we’ll have bag lunches. There are few trash-cans on the island, but our lunches are packed so that all trash can fit in a pocket to carry away.

Our lead naturalist will take us on a nature hike on the trails, pointing out different flora and fauna along the way. The boat will return to the mainland at approximately 4:30-5:00 p.m. After returning to the hotel via motorcoach, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

We’ll have a wrap-up session to discuss how our experiences relate to “Island of the Blue Dolphins.” Prepare for check-out and departure after our last activity in the morning.

At the hotel.

This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!