The Wilderness Experience

Wilderness Experience: Environmental Education for School

2010-03-04T14:30:00.001-08:00

Wilderness Experience Environmental Education Program

Mission: To enable youth to utilize hands-on science and team-building activities to foster positive student relationships and to promote good stewardship of the environment.

Curriculum and Schedule

Wilderness Experience curriculum meets the California science standards for 5th and 6th grade. Our classes focus on the natural sciences, environmental stewardship, and team-building. Classes are taught by Wilderness Experience guides with supervisory assistance from chaperones that the school provides. All classes involve some hiking. The program consists of four day-trips throughout the school year. Each day-trip will focus on a different season of the year, geographic location, and wilderness skill set. Prior to each day-trip, a Wilderness Experience staff member will come into your classroom and instruct students on the experiences they can expect to have on the trip.

Locations and Topics

• Feather River Watershed and Big Bald Rock: This is a great spring trip. We will learn about watersheds, water preservation, and then hike to the peak of a granite dome and teach about the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

• Iron Canyon Point, near Red Bluff, CA: This is a good fall or spring hike. We will teach Northern California geography, navigation and orienteering, and learn about the Sacramento Valley area.
• Sacramento Valley Trip: Hike in Sacramento Wildlife Refuge learning about local wildlife and the Pacific Flyway, as well as side trips to local agricultural centers to see their impact on the local economy and environment.
• Lassen National Park: This is a late summer hike. We will teach about the Cascade mountain range, volcanic activity, and high altitude ecosystems.

• Optional trips: Pacific Ocean and Redwoods in Marin County; McCloud River Watershed and Mount Shasta ecology; Lassen NP Snowshoe Hike

Educational Principles

• Observation: teaching good scientific methods through observing nature and the change it experiences, and evaluating the effects of various conditions on the environment.
• Kinesthetic Learning: allowing students to learn through activity, face challenges and enable further understanding of environmental conditions
• Active Dialogue: students will have the opportunity to explore nature, ask questions and discuss what they are learning with a group leader.
• Positive Role-models: students will be led for the day by leaders who will encourage learning and create an environment that demonstrates the value of each child.

Environmental stewardship is the idea that we are responsible to take care of nature for the benefit of others, including future generations. Wilderness Experience is committed to teaching our youth that they have been entrusted to care for our environment. Our favorite way to teach that lesson is by helping young people experience nature.

Wilderness Experience is staffed by people committed and qualified to teach ecological stewardship, a love for the outdoors and interesting facts about living in northern California.

We hope that we can serve you by providing your youth with an incredible Wilderness Experience!

Wilderness Experience
Environmental Education Program

Experiencing Nature, Teaching Responsibility, and Building Relationships

For more information, please call Jim @ 530-342-7692 or e-mail jim@orchardchurch.com

Wilderness Experience
818 Salem Street
Chico, CA 95928

Wilderness Experience Summer 2010

2010-03-04T14:19:00.000-08:00

Wilderness Experience 2010

Summer Trips

Wilderness Experience is a program designed to get youth engaged in activities to bring God’s creation and values alive.

June 24-26: Our first trip of the summer takes us to the beauty of the Klamath National Forest for three days of swimming in the Scott River, hiking in the Marble Mountains, rock-climbing and ropes courses at Kidder Creek Camps and jumping into the glacial-fed waters of McCloud Falls.

July 8-10: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin Headlands and the redwoods are the destination for three days of swimming in the Pacific Ocean, hiking through majestic Redwoods and spending time on secluded Marin County beaches.

July 15-17: The third trip of the summer will take us to the Lassen National Forest for some boating fun at Lake Almanor and an incredible trip into Lassen National Park where we will explore volcanic geology and alpine lakes.

August 2-5: The final trip is a four-day experience of Yosemite National Park. We will rock-climb in the Emigrant Wilderness, explore Tuolumne Meadows, hike to the Peak of Lembert Dome and swim at amazing Rainbow Falls.

Cost for each trip is $35, but don't let finances keep you from going on a trip. There are always ways to earn support for trips. For more information or to sign-up for one of the amazing Wilderness Experience Summer Trips, please e-mail jim@orchardchurch.com.

Wilderness Experience: Environmental Education for School

2010-01-29T13:18:00.000-08:00

WE Snow Day at Lassen National Park

2010-01-29T13:13:00.000-08:00

We had an amazing time at Lassen National Park, playing in the snow and being reminded of God's beauty and His forgiveness and love.

WE Article in Chico ER

2009-08-25T06:50:00.001-07:00

Check out this fun article about Wilderness Experience.

http://www.chicoer.com/ci_13187276

WE 09 Summer Celebration

2009-08-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

Wilderness Experience Summer Celebration: Friday, August 28 at 7 pm, we will celebrate our great summer together, sharing dinner and dessert, recognizing our volunteers and an unveiling of the WE 2009 Video. We will meet at the Fellowship Hall at Bidwell Presbyterian Church, 208 W. 1^st Street in Chico. The entire family is invited to come and participate. Please RSVP to 342-7692 or e-mail jim@orchardchurch.com if you can come and let us know how many people you will have with you.

Join us on Facebook

2009-08-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Check out our videos and pictures on Facebook. If you are a Facebook member, search Wilderness Experience '09. Thanks for following us!!

WE 09 - Klamath River

2009-08-02T21:08:00.001-07:00

We survived our final trip on the wild and scenic Klamath River. We swam at Clear Creek, rafted (and conquered) the Klamath, including mighty Dragon's Tooth, hiked to Ukonom Falls (which is spectacular), camped at Curly Jack Campground in Happy Camp (Home of the Sasquatch...bigfoot to you "lay people"), and swam in the Upper Sacramento River. It was a great experience.

The experience was so much deeper though than just swimming, rafting, hiking. God met us up on the Klamath and continued to grow young men and women who will be able to rise from the ashes of their broken lives and families and pursue the life God has for them.

Thanks for praying for us on these trips. 48 youth, four trips, several decisions for Christ, stories of God's empowering work were heard at each trip. Check out our new pictures and videos on our Facebook site. Thanks again for being part of WE 09 group.

Final WE Trip this week....

2009-07-28T07:47:00.001-07:00

Jim Culp wrote
at 7:41am

Just finished shopping for the last Wilderness Experience trip this morning. After 10 months of planning, five day trips, three Summer trips, and connection with over 50 kids and more than 20 adult volunteers, it is hard to believe it is almost over.

This Thursday, we leave for the Klamath River, to swim, whitewater raft, hike to waterfalls and continue to connect with God. This is are smallest trip, designed for kids who have participated all year long. Our focus this week is "growth" as a follower of Jesus. Most kids this week are believers and we want to help them have the tools to grow.

Please pray for our safety, energy, continued connection with the kids and opportunities to encourage students to grow as they follow Jesus! Thanks for following us and praying for us this Summer.

Check out the new pictures and videos on our Wilderness Experience '09 Facebook page. We'd love to have you follow us on Facebook.

WE 09 - Bucks Lake

2009-07-20T08:38:00.000-07:00

What a great trip...we tubed behind the Martinez's boat in a 3 man tube, swam, played watermelon rugby at amazingly beautiful Bucks Lake (check out the pictures later in the week). But the best part by far was that we had a couple new decisions for Christ and one of the kids who has changed the most in the past three years shared his story of how he came to faith this year. It will be a life-changing story for many of the other kids.

We take a week off, then wrap up WE Summer 09 with a whitewater raft trip on the Klamath River.

Wilderness Experience - Mccloud Falls!!

2009-07-10T19:14:00.001-07:00

What a great trip to McCloud Falls!! We took 35 youth to McCloud for some awesome cliff jumping. 15 kids did the 40 footer!! Even six adults mustered the courage to take the leap!! Then we shared a great time jumping and swimming in glacier water at Lower Falls. A dozen kids fished and caught a bunch of fish, too. Friday morning was incredible with a great outdoor ed lesson by Naomi Groot on the life of a Trout (played by Casey Moreno), followed by Casey's moving testimony. Throwing in Casey's "Southern Rock" styled worship and the morning was great...and all that followed a great talk by Colby on Thursday night on Psalm 104 on the Majesty of God in His Creation!! Amazing trip!!

Keep Praying for us as we have 40 signed up for Buck's Lake in six days from now!!

WE 09 Pacific Ocean Trip

2009-07-01T08:36:00.001-07:00

Our first Wilderness Experience Trip of 2009 was an amazing trip to the Pacific Ocean in Marin County. We hiked the redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument, swam and played at Stinson Beach, watched the sunset at Tennessee Beach in the Marin Headalnds of Golden Gate Park and walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. We had 28 youth, 2 kids and 10 adults. We worshiped God in the beauty of His creation, encouraged each other, played crazy games and just had a great time hanging out together.

Get ready for McCloud Falls next week!! It's Amazing!! 39 youth are signed up and ready to go take the plunge at the falls!

Wilderness Experience 2009

2009-07-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

Wilderness Experience 2009
Summer Trips

Wilderness Experience is a program designed to get youth engaged in activities to bring God’s creation and values alive.

June 25-27: Our first trip of the summer takes us to the beauty of the Pacific Ocean in Marin County. We will experience the views of Point Reyes National Seashore, hike around Muir Woods National Monument, and spend a day body-surfing the Marin Headlands beaches of Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

July 9-10: McCloud River and its three waterfalls is the second destination. We’ll camp out, jump into a glacial-melt river and have a great time enjoying the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

July 16-17: The third trip of the summer will take us to the Plumas National Forest for some boating fun at Bucks Lake and also an incredible trip to Rock Creek, with its waterfalls, granite waterslides and cool, clear swimming holes.

July 30 – August 1: The final trip is a raft trip on the Klamath River, hikes around the Klamath National Forest. We’ll camp at Happy Camp, CA, tame the white-water of the Klamath and go on one of the most amazing hikes to Ukonom Falls.

Wilderness Experience Sign-up. Contact jim@orchardchurch.com

Wilderness Experience 2008

2008-05-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

Check out the video below to see some of last years picture and start getting excited about our Wilderness Experience 2008.

Wilderness Experience Video

Here's the info:

Activities Planned…

Thurs, June 26 - Sat, June 28: Hike around beautiful Yosemite National Park (pictured above), see the largest waterfall in California, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Thurs, July 10 - Fri July 11: Hike to Rock Creek swimming hole and waterfalls. Cliff-jumping, swimming, rock slides and more!

Thurs, July 24 - Fri, July 25: Explore Lassen National Park, spend the night around a camp fire, and head to Lake Almanor the next day for some boating fun!

Wed, July 30 - Fri, August 1: Get ready for an adventure packed weekend as we journey to see the giant redwoods in Muir Woods, explore San Francisco, visit Mission Delores, and play at the beach in Half Moon Bay!

Cost: One night trips are $20, and two night trips are $40. Registration is due two weeks prior to each trip. However, we do NOT want money to stop you from attending. Please talk to Kristen about earning a scholarship.

Bucks Lake Weekend Trip - May 16-17

2008-05-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Our next Wilderness Experience trip is May 16-17 to the William's Cabin at Bucks Lake. Come play, hike around and explore, see some snow, take a "polar bear" plunge and have a great weekend hanging out together. We will leave on Friday, May 16 at 4 pm and be home Saturday, May 17 @ 5 pm. Contact Kristen @ kristen@orchardchurch.com for more info.

Feather River Raft Trip - Friday, April 18

2008-03-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

Our next Wilderness Experience Trip is a whitewater raft trip on the Feather River on Friday, April 18. We will leave Chico at 11:45 pm, so you will need to get permission to miss the afternoon at school. Come on a wild adventure in the beautiful Feather River Canyon. E-mail Kristen at kristen@orchardchurch.com for info.

Crazy fun time at Upper Park and Table Mountain!!

2008-03-22T18:36:00.000-07:00

On February 9, 15 youth from OC went on a Five Mile hike in Upper Bidwell Park. We hiked the upper rim trail, went down the side of a cliff and played at Bear Hole.

On Saturday, March 15, 35 kids (22 from Orchard Church and 13 from New Faith Church in Corning) went on a great hike and exploration day on Table Mountain near Oroville. We hiked down Phantom Falls, played in the water with salamanders, and watched a hail storm blow in. It was a great day!! Hope to see you on the next Experience.

WE Saturday in Upper Park

2008-01-28T11:19:00.000-08:00

The next Wilderness Experience Saturday is coming soon. Saturday, February 9, we will spend the day, hiking in Upper Bidwell Park, learning map orienteering and navigation. This will be great fun, a useful skill in your life and a day together in the Wilderness.

We'll meet at the office at 10 am, head up to Upper Park, have lunch in the park and be back home by 3:30 pm. We hope you can make this great trip with us. Hope to see you on February 9.

Wilderness Experience 2008

2008-01-14T16:48:00.000-08:00

Check out the video below to see some of last years picture and start getting excited about our Wilderness Experience 2008.

Wilderness Experience 2008 Video

Here's the info:

Activities Planned…

Thurs, June 26 - Sat, June 28: Hike around beautiful Yosemite National Park (pictured above), see the largest waterfall in California, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Thurs, July 10 - Fri July 11: Hike to Rock Creek swimming hole and waterfalls. Cliff-jumping, swimming, rock slides and more!

Thurs, July 24 - Fri, July 25: Explore Lassen National Park, spend the night around a camp fire, and head to Lake Almanor the next day for some boating fun!

Snow Day Rocks!!

2008-01-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 12, Orchard Church Wilderness Experience and Kids' Club groups went on a snow trip to Mineral, CA. 46 people, 34 kids and 12 adults, went sledding, built snowmen, froze their rear-ends off and had a great day. Keep checking back here for our next event.

Widlerness Experience - Big Bald Rock

2007-10-17T12:26:00.001-07:00

So last Saturday we were supposed to go to Deer Creek Falls, but with all the rain, we decided we need to find a better spot for our church's Wilderness Experience Youth Day. We ended up going to Big Bald Rock, a granite dome peak above Lake Oroville. We had a great time with 20 of us going up, hiking around and playing some rad games of hide and seek. We made up teams and had a great time. We made a fire, roasted marshmallows, made s'mores in an absolutely beautiful fall day. Check out the picture of the group, many of them wearing team headbands. We had the Green Ligers against the Flaming Monkey Twinkies....Green Ligers won in the ended with an epic "Final Hide and Seek". See you all soon. Come on the experience with us. We'd love to have you.

Wilderness Experience Saturday - October 13

2007-10-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

Wilderness Experience Saturday - October 13

Saturday, October 13 will be our next WE Saturday. We will be hiking to Deer Creek Falls and playing "Survivor Challenge". We will have a great day in a beuatiful spot playing some "Rad" games. Meet at the office (818 Salem Street) at 9:30 am. We'll be home by 4 pm. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by October 10. Call 342-7692 for more details.It will be a fun trip so comeand have fun.

WE '07 Movie is here!

2007-09-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

We posted a couple of more pics (stay tuned for even more!) and we also put a video up from our summer fun. This is just the short version (there is no WAY we could fit everything we did into 5 minutes!) but if you are curious as to what WE is then take a look and decide for yourself if you are in for WE '08!

Wilderness Experience '07 from rideon on Vimeo.

Wilderness Experience Saturday - October 13

2007-09-21T20:09:00.001-07:00

Good Bye Scott

2007-09-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

Scott is moving to Fort Collins, CO. You can come and say good bye on Tuesday when we go to Upper Park...meet at the office at 3:45 pm or at church on September 30.Scot is a nice person.He is a caring person who was always willing to give me a ride to youth groop.He may not ynow but he was as close to a mail Father figur that i have hade in my life.And i thank him for that.We will all miss you Scott.Write and visit sometime.

Wilderness Experience Saturday - October 13

2007-09-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

A few of us kicking it at the office!

2007-09-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

2007-09-11T15:50:00.000-07:00

Jessica Dalton jumping for dear life.She scremed Jk Joking.

2007-09-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Kile Perez going big!Kile tested the first jumping place.It Was tight.Kile says the water was "NICE".Jim says "He looked like a prancing deer".

Wilderness Experience '07

2007-03-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

So you found this site, and now want to know a little more about the "Experience" follow these step to learn more!

1. Check out the video (below) for a little glimpse of some of the activities that we will be doing...

2. Read the stuff below...I know it isn't as fun as looking at pictures or videos but it is worthwhile!

3. Check out the pictures just to fire you up a little more...

4. Contact Scott at scott@orchardchurch.com

This summer every friday for six weeks Orchard Church will be hosting WE '07. Each experience will be a day long trip into the wilderness of Northern California with a different activity planned for each trip. All of the experiences are designed to help youth learn more about themselves, the world around them and God, the creator of it all. As we push ourselves with each new and exciting activity our hope is that God will allow for opportunities within each of us to stretch ourselves and grow.

This is a great opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and truly discover the awesome power that God has instilled in His creation (that includes us!)

Tentative Schedule for WE '07

Friday June 29th - Naturalist Hike to Rock Creek: Waterfalls, huge granite walls, crystal clear pools, and a 30 ft. water slide down white granite!

Frida July 6th - Tide Pool Exploration: Explore the Fort Bragg coast and Glass Beach. Spot hermit crabs, mussels, clams, sea urchines, anemones and more!

Friday July 13th - Canoeing and Oreinteering: Use your navigational skills and team work to paddle out into a new world on the water. Swimming, BBQ and more! Location TBA.

Friday July 20th - Rock Climbing: Enjoy the beauty of Bald Rock Canyon while challenging yourself on the faces of the cliff!

Friday July 27th - Amazing Race, Chico Edition: Dig deep as you and your team race the others to complete the race first! Cycling, running, problem solving, team building and much more!

Friday Aug. 3rd - Sunday Aug. 5th - Whitewater rafting on the Klamath River! Challenge your mind and body as we brave the rapids of the Klamath, one of only two free flowing rivers in all of California! Beautiful scenery, campfires, hiking, swimming holes, cliff jumping and more!

Sound like fun? Want to contribute? volunteer? or attend?
please contact Scott
scott@orchardchurch.com
530.342.7692

Stay tuned for more photos!...