Education
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Discovery Program 

County Parks' Discovery Program immerses students and teachers in nature-related activities designed to educate them about scientific phenomenon and history of the local environment. 

Discovery Kits are customized to match the unique characteristics of each park. Each hands-on course, available through  Louis A. Stelzer County Park,  El Monte, Felicita, Flinn Springs, Guajome Regional, Los Penasquitos, Otay Lakes and San Dieguito, includes:

  • Pre-field trip activities for classroom use
  • Hands-on field trip activities in the park
  • Post-field trip activities for classroom and home use

All curriculum correlates to California Science Framework standards and aligns with information in our ongoing Multiple Species Conservation Program. Sponsorships are available.

For more information, click HERE or call the Stelzer team at 619-561-0580.

TRACK Trails

County Parks are part of the TRACK Trails program, a nationwide network of outdoor adventures for kids, coordinated by an organization called Kids in Parks.  

The program rewards kids for spending time outdoors – both with new experiences and with nature-related gifts. Kids can earn “Trail TRACKer Gear” for registering their adventures in an online nature journal, and for reaching certain milestones. There are six prizes in all including items like magnifying lenses and backpacks, designed to enhance their outdoor experiences. Learn More

TRACK Trails exist at seven San Diego County Parks: Felicita County Park, Guajome Regional ParkLake Morena County ParkLindo Lake County ParkSan Dieguito County ParkSan Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, and  Stelzer County Park.

Sponsorships are available. For more information, call (858) 966-1331 or email our Marketing Manager.

Energy Savings Adventures

Energy Saving Adventures (ESA) is a progressive REC Club program that allows youth to take charge of our future through resource preservation.

This daily after-school program held in our Lakeside and Spring Valley teen centers inspires and empowers youth to create change in the world around them. Through films, tournaments, experiments, and field trips, each day, teens get to tackle important concepts through ESA!

For more information, call (619) 667-6835 or email our ESA Manager.

Nature Explorers

Nature Explorers is an outdoor adventure program run through the REC Clubs at the Lakeside and Spring Valley teen centers. Activities focus on helping teens develop an appreciation for the outdoors, building ethics and sharing opportunities for ongoing environmental stewardship.

Working together, ESA and Nature Explorers have developed a program that culminates environmental energy education through a hybrid of sustainability and outdoor recreation classes.

For more information, call (619) 667-6835 or email our Nature Explorers Manager.

Park-ology

Park-ology is a free, cloud-based education tool designed to teach teens, ages 14 to 18, about the parks and recreation industry. Content is split into three sections – Play, Nature and People – to provide a diverse and comprehensive look at key topics and concepts while unveiling a number of STEAM-related careers that students can learn more about as they plan their academic and professional futures. Text is balanced with videos, games and fun facts to keep students engaged and entertained.

Upon course completion, students will receive a certificate and once all three are completed, they can receive a special gift! Only one is available now – PLAY – log in to check it out! Link: https://bit.ly/3gQU5fL

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