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California

Explore the Channel Islands With Your Grandchild

Program No. 22313RJ

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Program

At a Glance

Duration

6 days

Program Begins

Ventura, California

Program Concludes

Ventura, California

Group Type

Small Group

Meals

11 ( 5B, 3L, 3D )

Activity Level

From

2,999 /Adult

1,999 /Child

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On this adventure with your grandchild, explore the waters around the Channel Islands and learn about the Chumash that live in Southern California. Go snorkeling in a protected cove with a kelp forest and see pelicans, whales, dolphins and marine life in the wild! Experience the restored coastline of Santa Cruz Island and get an idea of what Southern California was like centuries ago.

Best of all, you'll...

Explore California habitats with a walk in the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park and learn about the plants and animals that call this ecosystem home.
Travel by boat to Santa Cruz Island, within Channel Islands National Park, and submerge yourself in the protected waters while you swim in a kelp forest.
Learn watersport techniques as you experience the thrill of ocean waves and learn how to snorkel.

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General Notes

Program is for grandchildren ages 9-12. Wet suits and snorkel gear provided; personal wet suits or snorkel gear welcome. This program includes 1 day trip to the Channel Islands. All boat travel is weather-dependent and may be cancelled by the captain for safety due to ocean swell and wind conditions. If the island trip is cancelled, an alternate field trip on the mainland will be provided.

Featured Expert

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Julie Tumamait-Stenslie

Julie Tumamait-Stenslie traces her Chumash ancestry through her father, a leader or “paha” among the Chumash. She proudly carries on the traditions of her ancestors as she educates about Chumash culture, history and song. Julie has worked with the Park Service and Hunter College in genealogical research, cataloging materials from area Mission archives. She was selected by the governor of California to sit on the North American Heritage Commission, which helps tribes to protect sacred native sites.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

Please Note:

These experts may not be available for every date of the program

Julie Tumamait-Stenslie

Alicia Stratton

Alicia Stratton grew up as an Air Force “brat,” living in Japan, Texas, and West Virginia, then settling in Ventura. She is a licensed boat captain and certified SCUBA diver, and holds a teaching credential. She worked for The Nature Conservancy, Island Packers as a naturalist/boat captain, and was the research and education coordinator for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Alicia served on the committee that established marine reserves around the Channel Islands. She has a bachelor's degree in environmental biology.

Susan Morris

Susan Morris has been conducting historical research involving the Channel Islands since 1987. With a bachelor’s in journalism and a certificate in archaeology, she has participated in field studies on seven of the eight Channel Islands. She was the principal investigator of a cave-associated archaeology survey on Santa Rosa Island. Passionate about solving historical mysteries, her focus of the past eight years has been historical research for the Island of the Blue Dolphins website, hosted by Channel Islands National Park.

Dawn Brooks

Dawn Brooks has three decades of experience leading group travel wilderness adventures. In 2002, Dawn joined the Channel Islands Naturalist Corps, volunteering on local whale watching boats to educate the public about marine wildlife. Dawn is an experienced kayak expert on Anacapa Island and Santa Cruz Island. She leads multi-day group camping trips on Santa Cruz Island and sails to remote anchorages on all five islands of the Channel Islands National Park.

Activity Level

Outdoor: No Sweat

Walking up to 1 mile per day over varied terrain including sidewalks, sandy beaches, wooden piers and maintained, sometimes rocky, dirt trails. Snorkeling up to 4 hours in a pool and up to 4 hours in open water and kelp forests over 2 days. Participants must know how to swim. Standing between 1 to 2 hours per day. Program will require approximately 4 miles of walking over 4 days. Elevation changes up to 300 feet on some trails. Up to 1.5 hours on a catamaran that will cross the channel to reach Channel Islands National Park. Extent and duration of walking during independent exploration is according to personal choice. Due to terrain on island and pacing of activities, this program is not suitable for wheelchairs, scooters, or canes. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.

Small Group (13 to 24)

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Suggested Books and Resources

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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!

Call 800-454-5768

Helpful Links

Trip Protection

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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