Students from Pacific Community Charter School have been out and about this summer, taking their learning beyond the classroom walls as part of the school’s Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Program. With daily adventures stretching from the tidepools of Salt Point to the banks of the Big River, students are experiencing the wonders of the local landscape in hands-on, meaningful ways.

Throughout July, ELO participants explored kelp forests, riparian ecosystems, and local farms. They hiked along coastal bluffs, observed marine life at Glass Beach and the Noyo Center, kayaked on the Gualala River, and visited farms like Starcross Monastery, Sea Ranch Farm, Stornetta Ranch, and Windy Hollow. The immersive sessions combined science, creativity, and fun through a slew of activities including journaling, tide-pooling, cob oven building, olive tasting, ice cream making and feeding pigs, chickens, and calves.

Under the direction of PCCS Operations Manager, Lacey Glaze, students also helped create the school’s Under the Sea float for the Independence Day Parade. According to Glaze, the float “showcased the creativity and care of our students as they explored what it means to be good neighbors and stewards of the sea. From playful sea creatures to swaying kelp, every piece was designed with purpose and love for the ocean.”

These weekly explorations are designed to strengthen students’ connection to the natural world and their local community. “Every session gives our students the chance to be scientists, artists, and explorers,” said Jennifer Ketring, PCCS Executive Director.

The summer isn’t over yet—two more weeks of programming remain, with sessions focused on coastal prairies and forest ecosystems.

Pacific Community Charter School is a free, public school serving students in grades TK–12. The summer ELO program is available to enrolled TK-6th grade students. Families interested in enrolling for the upcoming school year can visit www.pacificcharterschool.org or call 707-882-4131 for more information.