Environmental Living Program

Take an overnight trip back in time to early Mexican California in the 1840's and discover everyday life at this incredible rancho. Today's students may live the past by taking the roles of people who lived in the area during this time.  The program at the Petaluma Adobe follows the curriculum guidelines set by the State of California for the    Rancho time period as well as the  Mission System, Fort Ross, the Land Grants, the Bear Flag Revolt, and the Gold Rush.

Since the 1970's Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park has offered a unique hands-on interpretive living history program for children in the 4th grade.  We invite educators to enroll themselves in this one of a kind overnight field trip.  The program allows students, teachers, and parent supervisors to stay overnight at the Adobe.  During the ELP, students assume the lives and activities of the past in order to live history. Students learn that they must work  together to survive as the people of the Rancho did.  The activities include: preparing period meals, adobe-brick making, candle making, basket weaving, wood working, leather working, weaving and spinning, and entertainment.

The Program:

The ELP is an important and rewarding experience.  The program requires extensive preparation by the teacher and the students.  At Petaluma Adobe, teachers will be working with park employees to facilitate the program.
Teachers accepted into the program are required to attend a Teachers Workshop held in September of the current school year.  A teacher may have a program date for three consecutive years and then is required to take a year off.  Following that year, the teacher may enroll as a "new" teacher.  The reservation is held with the teacher, not the school.
The program is designed for fourth grade level children.
The ELP is an overnight experience.  The program begins at 10 AM and ends at 10 AM the following day.

Fees and Group Size:
There is a $350.00 program fee.  This fee covers the materials provided by the park. There is also a $25.00 per person Workshop charge, which covers food, materials, and a Teacher Resource Guide. (Scholarships are available)
A $50.00 non-refundable commitment deposit is due at the time of the reservation.
There is a maximum of 40 students and 15 adults for the program.
Parent involvement is required for a successful program.

2013-2014 Environmental Living Program Reservation Form and Information
Information about the 2013-2014 Environmental Living Program and Environmental Studies Program can be found here: Reservation Information for First Timers
The reservation form for the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park Environmental Living Program is available here: ELP Reservation Form

To Enroll in the Environmental Living Program at any time (to be placed on our mailing list):
Please mail: Full name, School Name, School Address, School Phone, School Fax, Email, Home/Summer Mailing Address, and Home/Summer Phone to (exactly as follows):
Environmental Living Program
C/o Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
3325 Adobe Road
Petaluma, CA 94954

ELP Teacher's Resource Handbook:
The ELP Teacher's Resource Handbook is available on line. The following link will take you to the main page for the manual. Petaluma Adobe SHP ELP Teachers Handbook Cmprsd.pdf