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Board approves Walker Creek and NatureBridge overnight field trips for elementary students
Summary
Trustees approved overnight outdoor-education trips for elementary sites in 2025–26: Walker Creek Ranch will continue to serve several schools and Colemen and San Pedro will pilot NatureBridge in the Marin Headlands, district staff said.
The San Rafael City Schools Board of Trustees on June 9 approved two separate overnight outdoor-education contracts for the 2025–26 school year: Walker Creek Ranch will continue to serve multiple elementary sites, and Coleman and San Pedro elementary schools will pilot NatureBridge in the Marin Headlands (Sausalito).
District staff said the overnight programs provide social-emotional and science-aligned, hands-on learning; for many students, the multi-night stay is their first extended time away from family and is designed to build independence and self-regulation. Staff explained that a small number of sites sought to try NatureBridge after vetting both programs and that both Walker Creek and NatureBridge meet the instructional and safety needs the district requires.
Trustees discussed program quality and oversight; one trustee urged Walker Creek to review and address concerns raised in prior years and expressed openness to expanding NatureBridge pilots. No community speakers addressed the item during the public comment period.
Board votes: Trustee Kerner moved approval of NatureBridge (Coleman and San Pedro); Trustee Rodas seconded. Approval of Walker Creek Ranch (remaining elementary sites) was moved by Trustee Rodas and seconded by Trustee Lau. Both motions passed by voice vote.
