School is back in session and there's no doubt that it looks very different this year. While learning from the comfort of home in pajamas may have sounded convenient and relaxing at first, it can also make us feel disconnected from reality. Distance learning comes with a whole new set of challenges for the student, parent, and teacher. Thankfully, Ventura Harbor Village, Channel Islands National Park, and Island Packers are here to help with a creative, immersive, and an adventurous approach to education.
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Whether you are distance learning, homeschooling, or simply just looking to learn something new, the Channel Islands National Park is a special topic to integrate into the mix! We encourage you to delve into interactive lessons on island foxes, kelp forests, wild coastlines, and over 10,000 years of cultural history…
Entertainment meets education with live hikes, dives, cameras, and lectures straight from the Channel Islands and it’s surrounding Marine Sanctuary! With different sessions intended for specific grade levels and programs that support the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, this is a must for students learning from home.
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Things to do with your kid(s) include exploring nature and learning about the marine and terrestrial ecosystems (to name a few) through fun and engaging activities. Live archived programs with Park Rangers will allow you and your child to experience the wild land and seascapes virtually. There are also live webcams, both on land and underwater to monitor, or take virtual island tours. Your child can even complete thrilling interactive programs to become a Junior Ranger as well! Read more about this on Channel Islands National Park website.
Distance learning with the Channel Islands is incredible, but an actual trip to the Islands will leave a lasting impression on you and your student. The Channel Islands National Park is open and accessible by boat with Island Packers (the official concessionaire) that has daily departures from Ventura Harbor including whale watching, wildlife cruises, and island adventures. What an amazing opportunity we have to live by these stunning group of islands, commonly referred to as the American Galapagos! Pods of dolphins are known to ride alongside the catamarans; you might even spot a whale. Never know what you might SEA along the way…
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So head over to Channel Islands National Park website or download their new app (NPS Channel Islands App) for an amazing educational experience. Better yet, book your trip with Island Packers for a field trip to the islands that you and your student will never forget!
Ventura Harbor Village also has a Connect From Home page filled with dozens of virtual experiences waiting to be explored.
To top off the adventure, grab lunch or dinner at harborside restaurants at Ventura Harbor Village or a sweet treat with a fish cone at Coastal Cone Ice Cream. Find more information on https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/
