SLIDE RANCH

Each Year, seven interns are selected from a highly competitive group of applications to participate in an eleven-month residential teaching internship. Four additional interns come for a three-month summer internship during our summer camp season. Slide Ranch’s TIR program provides intensive professional teacher training in all aspects of outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and sustainable agriculture. Interns live and work at the ranch, and gain experience planning and leading experiential environmental education programs for over 10,000 program participants each year. Teachers-In-Residence also learn how to operate a sustainable farm, including growing and harvesting food and best practices in animal husbandry. Upon completion of their residency, TIRs frequently pursue careers in agriculture and teaching, drawing from skills gained at Slide Ranch and passing on their knowledge to communities across the United States.

Slide Ranch offers rewarding volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups from throughout the Bay Area. While working under the supervision of trained staff on our teaching farm and 134 acres of wild lands, volunteers contribute to Slide Ranch in a variety of ways, including working in our organic garden (weeding, pruning, prepping garden beds, planting and pest control,) composting, restoring native plants and removing invasive plants, and maintaining trails and beach access.

Slide Ranch welcomes the participation of all volunteers, aged 14 and older. For students fulfilling community service hours, corporate and community group team building or individuals who want to put a green thumb to good use, Slide Ranch provides challenging, engaging and meaningful experiences.

Volunteers may schedule a one-time visit or volunteer on a regular basis as part of an ongoing project. In addition to volunteering in our garden and on the land, volunteers can support Slide Ranch by contributing other interests, skills, and talents.

Slide Ranch Family Programs give families a unique opportunity to experience the daily challenges and rewards of a working farm. During Slide Ranch Family Programs, children and adults milk goats, collect chicken eggs, and explore Slide Ranch’s beautiful organic gardens and coastal wild lands. Participants learn about native plants and ecology on GGNRA trails, create nature-based crafts, bake bread, churn herb butter, make cheese, card and spin wool from our sheep, explore our tide pools and more.  Under the guidance of our experienced Teachers-in-Residence, families gain a deeper understanding of fresh, local food, sustainable agriculture, ranch life and environmental stewardship. We offer family programs on the weekends in the spring and fall.

Slide Ranch Summer Camp emphasizes hands-on experience and exploration. Children ages 5 to 18 attend one-week sessions during the 10 week summer camp season. Campers are encouraged to touch, taste, smell, hear, observe, and ask questions. We focus on teaching respect for animals, plants, the earth and each other. Activities include cooking, crafts, hikes, working with farm animals and tide pooling. The camp week culminates in a Farmer’s Market where campers “sell” baked goods and crafts that they have made themselves to families. A Junior Camp Counselor leadership program and teen camp are also available for children ages 13 to 18. A Slide Ranch camper gains joyful and lasting memories of being immersed in and feeling nourished by the natural world.