School Programs

Please browse our programs below.

If you would like to book online, a credit card deposit is required. If paying by check, please contact Brena Seck at brenas@sacnaturecenter.net to make a reservation.

If you want a program on a day/time not listed, please contact Brena at brenas@sacnaturecenter.net to make arrangements.

Please Note: We will not be offering programs during San Juan Unified School District's Spring Break. April 14-18, 2025

PROGRAM REQUEST FORM

Thank you for your interest in our educational programs! Please read the Group Program Policies before completing this form. A signed copy of the Program Policies must accompany this form. Programs are scheduled on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

NOTE: Your program is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation/invoice via email.

Please Contact us if you need any help: scheduling@sacnaturecenter.net Phone: 916-876-4918

HIKE WITH A NATURALIST & HIKE w/a NAT Plus

Fee: $165 & 195*

This is a guided 1 hour hike through the Nature Preserve. Your group is welcome to stay after the hike and visit our resident animals and explore our natural history museum and replica Maidu village. Complete the form below, including the Program Policies signature page.

A few days prior to your hike the scheduled Naturalist will contact you to coordinate with your group’s interests.

* Fee pertains to 1-18 participants (no additions, no exceptions).

Contact Information

School/Organization

District

Contact full Name

Contact role

Street Address

City

Zip code

Phone

Other Phone

Provide the following information for your tour.

Preferred Date Option 1

Preferred Date Option 2

Preferred Date Option 3

Age/Grade of students

Expected Number of Adults

Preferred Program Start Time

Program Name

Please Explain Any Special Need

Transportation to site: Please specify approximate # of vehicles

Number of Busses

Number of Cars

Explore, Discover, and Learn with Effie Yeaw Nature Center!

Bring your students to Effie Yeaw Nature Center for an unforgettable outdoor learning experience! Our field trips and school programs immerse students in the wonders of nature through hands-on exploration, interactive activities, and close encounters with native wildlife. Led by our expert naturalists, each program aligns with educational standards and fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Whether exploring the American River ecosystem, uncovering the secrets of local wildlife, or stepping into the rich cultural heritage of the Valley Nisenan people, students will gain valuable insights while having fun in nature’s classroom.

Book your adventure today and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards!

Book Now

Programs

Nature Area Tour

Field Trip

Grades K-12

Price: $221

Students will explore biofacts and live animals up close with a tour our interactive museum and then they will go on a one-hour hike through the Nature Study Area with a naturalist and docents. They’ll observe wildlife, notice patterns and engage curiosity as they consider structure and function, and cause and effects, and relationships between plants and animals and humans and habitat. Every hike visits the river and learns about our watershed and how we can protect it when visiting or from our homes.

Program Details:

Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes (105 minutes)
Capacity: Up to 40 students and 10 adult chaperones (including teachers and aides)
Parking: Up to 10 passes included
Meals: Please eat before or after; no meal period provided
Closed-toed shoes required
Rain or shine, except for dangerous weather

Our programs align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and may cover various standards based on grade level and unit focus.

For this program, please call or email Brena Seck to get this scheduled. 916.876.4918 or brenas@sacnaturecenter.net

Nature Plus!

Field Trip

Grades 2-5

Price: $384

This engaging 4-hour program immerses students in nature through an extended hike, nature journaling, and hands-on activities. Students will explore beak adaptations, biodiversity, and animal traits while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. Every hike visits the river and learns about our watershed and how we can protect it when visiting or from our homes.

Program Details:

Duration: 4 hours
Capacity: Up to 40 students and 10 adult chaperones (including teachers and aides)
Parking: Up to 10 passes included
Closed-toed shoes required
Rain or shine, except for dangerous weather

Our programs align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and may cover various standards based on grade level and unit focus.

For this program, please call or email Brena Seck to get this scheduled. 916.876.4918 or brenas@sacnaturecenter.net

Hike with a Naturalist

Small Group Tour

Price: $163

Enjoy a hike through the Nature Study Area, customized to meet the needs and interests of your group. Every hike visits the river and learns about our watershed and how we can protect it when visiting or from our homes.

This is a 75-minute program that can accommodate up to 18 people (all ages).

Great for:

Home Schools
Scout Groups
Clubs
Birthdays
Other Groups

Hike with a Naturalist Plus!

Small Group Tour

Price: $195

Enjoy a customized guided hike plus an activity of your choosing, such as extended trail time or journaling. Every hike visits the river and learns about our watershed and how we can protect it when visiting or from our homes.

This is a 90-minute program that can accommodate up to 18 people (all ages).

Great for:

Home Schools
Scout Groups
Clubs
Birthdays
Other Groups

Sensational Senses

Classroom Visit

Grades K-1 Classroom Program

Price: $260

Students explore how humans and animals process information through fun, hands-on activities with specimens and live animal ambassadors.

Program Details:

Duration: 1 hour
Capacity: Up to 40 students
NGSS: LS1.D
Travel fees apply for schools over 30 miles round trip

Critters of the American River

Classroom Visit

Grades K-3: American River Life

Price: $260

Students explore mammals, birds, and reptiles by comparing their structures and functions and life cycles through biofacts and live animal observations.

Program Details:

Duration: 1 hour
Capacity: Up to 40 students
NGSS: LS1.B, LS1.D, LS4.D
Travel fees apply for schools over 30 miles round trip

Amazing Adaptations

Classroom Visit

Grades 3-5: Animal Adaptations

Price: $260

Students explore how animals survive in their habitats by examining unique structures and behaviors through hands-on activities, discussions, and live animal observations.

Program Details:

Duration: 1 hour
Capacity: Up to 40 students
NGSS: LS1.D, LS3.B, LS4.C, LS4.D
Travel fees apply for schools over 30 miles round trip

Incredible Invertebrates

Classroom Visit

Grades K-12: Incredible Invertebrates

Price: $260

Students discover local invertebrates—arthropods, mollusks, and annelids—while exploring their life cycles and ecological roles through a PowerPoint presentation and live specimens.

Program Details:

Duration: 1 hour
Capacity: Up to 40 students
NGSS: LS1.B, LS1.C, LS2.A, LS2.B
Travel fees apply for schools over 30 miles round trip

Pond and River

Classroom Lab ONLY (No Field Study)

Grades 2-6: Pond and River Classroom Lab

Price: $267

Students investigate aquatic invertebrates and their role in freshwater ecosystems, and learn how we can protect help invertebrates by keeping our watershed clean. This lab includes a PowerPoint presentation and four hands-on stations.

Program Details:

Duration: 75 minutes
Capacity: Up to 40 students
NGSS: LS1.B, LS2.A, LS2.C, LS4.C, LS4.D, ESS3.A, ESS3.C
Travel fees apply for schools over 30 miles round trip

Pond and River

Classroom Lab + Field Study

Grades 2-6: Pond and River | Classroom Lab & Field Study

Price: $507

Students dive into the world of aquatic invertebrates through a classroom lab and an outdoor field study at William B. Pond Recreation Park. In the classroom, they engage with a PowerPoint presentation and four hands-on investigative stations. In the field, students collect and observe freshwater creatures, gaining insight into their roles within the ecosystem. Students come away knowing their watershed and how they can protect it when visiting or from our homes.

Program Details:

Availability: September–October & March–May
Duration: 75-minute classroom lab + 2-hour field study (on separate days)
Field studies held on Wednesdays and Fridays
NGSS: LS1.B, LS2.A, LS2.C, LS4.C, LS4.D, ESS3.A, ESS3.C

Gold Discovery

Classroom Visit

Grades 3-5: California Gold Rush

Price: $267

Students experience the excitement of the Gold Rush through an engaging classroom presentation and hands-on gold panning activity. They’ll explore the historical, social, and environmental impacts of California's gold discovery.

Program Details:

Duration: 75 minutes
Capacity: Up to 40 students
CCSS: HSS-4.3, HSS-4.4.2, HSS-5.3
Travel fees apply for schools over 30 miles round trip

Methods of the Maidu

Classroom Visit

Grades 3-5: Valley Nisenan Classroom Program

Price: $267

Bring pre-1830 Valley Nisenan culture to your classroom! Through visual presentations, storytelling, and replica artifacts, students will explore the sights and sounds of this unique culture.

Program Details:

Duration: 75 minutes
Capacity: Up to 40 students
CCSS: HSS-3.2, HSS-4.2, HSS-5.3
Travel fees apply for schools over 30 miles round trip

Maidu Half Day Program

Field Trip

Grades 3-5: Valley Nisenan Cultural Immersion

Price: $410

Students spend a morning exploring our replica Valley Nisenan village, walking Nature Study Area trails to observe native plants and animals, and engaging in cultural activities like playing traditional games and participating in an acorn preparation demonstration.

Program Details:

Duration: 3.5 hours
Capacity: Up to 40 students, 10 adult chaperones
CCSS: HSS-3.2, HSS-4.2, HSS-5.3
Parking passes included

Note: Programs run rain or shine, except in cases of severe weather.

Maidu Full Day Program

Classroom Visit, Teacher + Parent Workshop, and Field Trip

Grades 3-5: Valley Nisenan Cultural Immersion

Price: $799

This unique classroom and field experience immerses students in the traditions of the Valley Nisenan people. At Effie Yeaw Nature Center, students explore a replica village, use tule houses and grinding rocks, and discover how native plants and animals were integral to Valley Nisenan life. The program includes native storytelling, acorn preparation and tasting, and learning traditional skills through crafts and games.

Prerequisites:

Methods of the Maidu Classroom Program
Teacher + Parent Workshop

Program Details:

Duration: 4.5 - 6 hours
Capacity: Up to 40 students, 10 adult chaperones
CCSS: HSS-3.2, HSS-4.2, HSS-5.3
Parking passes included

Note: Programs run rain or shine, except in cases of severe weather.

Maidu Focus Tour

Field Trip

Grades 3-5: Valley Nisenan Cultural Experience

Price: $221

Students explore the pre-1830s lifestyle of the Valley Nisenan through a guided tour of a replica village and the Nature Study Area, learning about native plants, animals, and cultural artifacts.

Program Details:

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Capacity: Up to 40 students, 10 adult chaperones
CCSS: HSS-3.2, HSS-4.2, HSS-5.2, HSS-5.3
Parking passes included
Please eat before or after the program (no meal period included)

Note: Closed-toed shoes required. Programs run rain or shine, except in cases of severe weather.