Staffing
Teachers, assistants, and parents (naturalists on site)

Length of trip
3 days, 2 nights

Travel time
2.5 hours each way

Food
Lunch and snack to be brought by students for day one; all other meals will be provided

Transportation
Carpools to be arranged by teacher and roomparents

Objectives

1. To explore the cultural history of the Gold Rush and the natural history of the Sierra Foothills.
2. To take part in the living history of the Gold Rush era (building lean-tos, cooking with Dutch ovens, panning for gold).
3. To study gold mining techniques of the Gold Rush era on the American River.
4. To introduce minimum-impact camping and survival skills.

Located in Coloma, the heart of the California Gold Country, just across the American River from the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park at Sutter's Mill.

Coloma Outdoor Discovery School (CODS) provides a program of environmental education and living history in the outdoor classroom. The program is specifically designed for students in the fourth grade. CODS fosters environmental stewardship, community, and individual responsibility through dynamic, integrated learning in an outdoor setting. This program invites students to learn about California's rich history through characterization, role-playing, art, music, and dance. Students participate in hikes, scientific observation, and games to provide a meaningful, active experience.

Reprinted by permission from
Coloma Outdoor Discovery School.
More information available at http://www.cods.org/