Hiking, playing games, exploring nature, plus lots of fun for those who join up to be a Jr. Ranger. The program will meet 8 Sundays from September to December. Call 925-960-2400 for more information about the program or to get a copy of the proposed meeting schedule. First Meeting will be at the Sycamore Grove Park Reserved Picnic Area.

Junior Rangers – Homeschool Groups

If you are interested in learning more about our Junior Rangers programs for Homeschool Groups, please contact the Rangers at natureprograms@larpd.org or (925) 960-2400.

LARPD Ranger Staff

Calling all nature lovers and outdoor explorers! From pursuing an interest in STEM and the outdoor industry to adventuring and recreating in nature, this program geared towards young teens will give them a sense of independence, a community of peers, and a calling towards stewardship. Meeting one Saturday a month for 5 hours, each session will show teens a different side of our local wildlife and open spaces. First Meeting will be at the Sycamore Grove Park Reserved Picnic Area.

*Times vary. Please contact the Rangers at natureprograms@larpd.org or (925) 960-2400 for more information about the program or to get a copy of the proposed meeting schedule.

Sycamore Sprouts

Explore the big world with your little ones at Sycamore Grove Park! Every other week we'll meet at Wetmore and get to know the natural world through hands-on activities, sensory play, and outdoor exploration that relate to the theme of the session.

Sycamore Sprouts: Senses

Let's touch the feathers, smell the flowers, and listen to the birds! We'll get to know Sycamore Grove Park through all 5 of our senses while learning how animals use their senses too.

Meeting every other week: 9/12, 9/26, 10/10, 10/24

Sycamore Sprouts: Colors of the Park

Blue birds, yellow petals, green leaves, red beetles... Colors abound in the park year-round, and with the changing of the seasons right now, we'll see how the park changes its looks. Nature art will absolutely be involved!

Meeting every other week: 11/7, 11/21, 12/5, 12/19

Sycamore Science Camp: Oceans

From the smallest of plankton to the biggest of whales, a whole world of wildlife awaits us under the sea! Join us for four weeks at Sycamore Grove Park as we explore the vastness of the ocean, its rich biodiversity, our connections to it, and why it’s more important than ever to protect it. Meets weekly.

Sycamore Science Camp: Astronomy

Is there anything quite like looking up at the starry night sky? In this Sycamore Science Camp session, we’ll travel past the boundaries of our planet to explore the big wide universe. Constellations, planets, black holes and more await us among the stars! Meets weekly.

Sycamore Science Camp – Homeschool Groups

Please call the Ranger Office at (925) 960-2400 or email natureprograms@larpd.org for more information.

SSC Field Trip: Oceans

LARPD Ranger Staff

For the first time ever, Sycamore Science Camp will offer an optional SSC Field Trip, where Science Campers can join the LARPD Rangers for a special session at a new location that expands on the science camp theme.  Participants must be enrolled in the current Sycamore Science Camp. TO REGISTER: please contact the Rangers by calling the Ranger Office at (925) 960-2400 or at natureprograms@larpd.org.

SSC Field Trip: Oceans

Meet the Rangers at Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay to go tide pooling along California’s incredible coastline in this special Sycamore Science Camp Field Trip. We’ll get an up-close view of some of the amazing ecosystems and living things we’ve learned about during science camp.

SSC Field Trip: Oceans

Meet the Rangers at the park after dark for a special Sycamore Science Camp Field Trip. We’ll gather at the Wetmore Entrance to the park before walking out. Weather permitting, we should have a dark and clear sky to stargaze.

Apple Fest

LARPD Ranger Staff

Come to Ravenswood Historic Site to explore the apple orchard and taste heirloom apple varieties you can’t find in stores. Ongoing activities from 12 – 4 pm include cider making (and drinking!), “apple slinkie” making, old-fashioned games, and docent-led tours of the historic buildings. Special apple tasting and apple history talk begins at 2 pm. Kids under 3 are free.

Brushy Peak Adventure

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve (Meet at RLCC)

Explore the magical parkland known as Brushy Peak Regional Preserve. This strenuous hike covers approximately 4-miles over dirt and rocky trails with an elevation gain of 800+ feet. The hike includes an exploration of unique sandstone rock formations, introduction to the Native Ohlone, Bay Miwok and Delta Yokuts cultures associated with the site, and an opportunity to view the plants and animals that live or visit this area.

Participants must stay with the group. Under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Canceled if raining. 5-hour trip. Carpooling encouraged. Meet at the bigger community center parking lot next to the pool at 491 Loyola Way.

Sycamore Scares

LARPD Ranger Staff                                   Sycamore Grove Park Arroyo Entrance

Join our Rangers (and awesome volunteers) tonight for a glimpse into the spookier side of Sycamore Grove. For those who make it back, this will be a journey of 1.5 miles. Remember when you are signing up - the later it gets, the scarier the monsters. Under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. 

Gingerbread Houses

Come out to Sycamore Grove Park on a cool winter afternoon where we will be putting together a delicious winter craft.  There will also be a campfire and s'mores, so don't forget to bring an appetite!  We will be providing gingerbread house kits and a few extra supplies; you are welcome to bring any other extra treats you might like to add. 

HO HO Holiday Carnival

Join Ranger Seth and some of Santa’s helpers for a holiday carnival in the park. There will be fun Midway games, face painting, arts & crafts, and holiday treats. Be sure to dress for the weather. Under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

LARPD Ranger Staff offer public programs, many of which are free!  Check out LARPD.org or call (925) 960-2400 to learn about upcoming programs.  You can also subscribe to receive “Valley Wilds,” LARPD Open Space’s monthly newsletter, and be the first to know about interpretive programs: https://www.larpd.org/open-space-newsletter

SEPTEMBER

Woodpeckers                                

Saturday, September 3^rd                            2:00 PM

Sycamore Grove Park, Arroyo Road Entrance (5049 Arroyo Road)

Join Ranger Vickie as we explore the many different types of woodpeckers that live in Sycamore Grove Park. Afterwards, we will take a short walk out to see some of them in the wild. The walk is on a single rack path and paved path, so wear closed toed shoes. Bring binoculars if you have them. A limited number of binoculars are available to lend out. Cancelled if raining hard. RSVP by calling (925) 960-2400 or emailing natureprograms@larpd.org.

The Way of The Hunter

Saturday, September 10^th                   1:00 PM
Sycamore Grove Park, Reservable Picnic Area (5035 Arroyo Road)

Have a good sit down with Ranger Seth to learn the History of hunting in North America. We will start with ancient hunting techniques and tools used in North America by Native Americans. Then we will talk about how market hunting affected an entire continent in such a short period of time. And we will finish with the role that a 21st Century Hunter plays in the Natural world. After the discussion, you’ll learn from Ranger Seth how to use an Atl-Atl, a Native American weapon. Talk will be rain or shine, but range closed if raining. RSVP by calling (925) 960-2400 or emailing seddings@larpd.org.

Spooky Campfire

Saturday, September 24^th                   7:00 pm

Sycamore Grove Park Reservable Picnic Area (5035 Arroyo Road)

As October approaches the air gets cooler the nights get darker and the scares get scary-er Join Ranger Gilbert as we gather around a campfire and share scary stories in celebration of the spookiest of the times of the year. Do not forget to bring an appetite, s’more will be provided!  Ages 8 and older. Canceled if raining. RSVP by calling (925) 960-2400 or emailing Ranger Gilbert at grodriguez@larpd.org.

OCTOBER

Parasites!!! The Real-Life Zombies!

Saturday, October 1^st              1:00 pm 
Sycamore Grove Park, Amphitheater, Wetmore Entrance (1051 Wetmore Road)

Run! Don’t walk from these…. PARASITES! Join Ranger Seth and get totally grossed out with the cringiest, yet almost perfect, life cycles of these organisms. We will talk about many different species Candiru, all the way to the slithering Leucochlordium flatworm and everything in‐between. You may be surprised to find some of them are used in the medical field today. This is a perfect ranger program to get some heebee jeebees (it is October after all) but is not recommended for children under the age of 10.

Spiders

Saturday, October 8^th                                  2:00 pm

Sycamore Grove Park, Reservable Picnic Area (5035 Arroyo Road)

Join Ranger Vickie and learn about a few of our local spiders. We will explore some of the spiders in the park and have some live spiders to view. Please RSVP by calling (925) 960-2400 or emailing natureprograms@larpd.org.

Movie Monsters  

Sunday, October 9^th                                     2:00pm

Sycamore Grove Park, Reservable Picnic Area (5035 Arroyo Road)

Ever wonder where writers and directors come up with their amazing movie monsters? Many of their ideas are inspired by nature. We will look at several terrifying movie monsters and see exactly where in nature they got their ideas from.

Ages 10+ Please RSVP to dsousa@larpd.org or call the Ranger Office at (925) 960-2400.

Pumpkin Carving Campfire 

Saturday, October 15^th                               4:30 pm

Sycamore Grove Park, Reservable Picnic Area (5035 Arroyo Road)

Halloween is fast approaching, and decorations are going to be popping out left and right.  Join Ranger Gilbert for an evening filled with one of the favorites – the pumpkin!  We’ll spend the evening carving this squash into works of art, or horror, depending on your point of view.  Please bring your own pumpkin and carving tools if you have them (there will be a few tools to lend).  Carving stencils will be provided.  The BBQ will be hot and ready for anyone that would like to cook their dinner. RSVP by calling (925) 960-2400 or by emailing Ranger Gilbert at grodriguez@larpd.org. Please sign up early – space is limited!

Nature Programs for Groups

Do you have a group and are interested in a special nature program with the Rangers?  From Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups working towards badges to special interest groups wanting a guided hike of the park, LARPD Ranger Staff are excited to create a custom program for your group.  Please contact the Rangers at natureprograms@larpd.org or (925) 960-2400 for information, availability, and pricing.

Brushy Peak Group Adventure

Do you have a group that wants to explore Brushy Peak Regional Preserve?  Groups of up to 15 people can be accommodated for a tour of Brushy Peak (see description above).  Please contact the Rangers at natureprograms@larpd.org or (925) 960-2400 for information and availability.  $600 per group.