Our Habitat and Niche

Jones Gulch, nestled in the Redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains in La Honda, California, serves as home to San Mateo Outdoor Education. For more than 40 years, 5th and 6th grade students have enjoyed weeklong residential programs designed to emphasize experiential and environmental education.

A week at Outdoor Education provides students with a unique opportunity to engage with the natural world, explore forest and beach ecosystems, and live in a community with their fellow students and environments. Each year nearly 5,000 students along with hundreds of teachers and cabin leaders join our dynamic, well educated, and passionate staff to enjoy the wonder of the outdoors.

The San Mateo County Office of Education, in cooperation with local schools and the San Francisco YMCA Camp at Jones Gulch, conduct an award-winning environmental education program. Both the academic program and the camp are certified, Resident Outdoor Science Schools (ROSS) by California Outdoor School Administrators (COSA). The camp also maintains American Camping Association (ACA) accreditation.

Students live in heated cabins with bunks and mattresses and bring their own sleeping bag and bedding. The students enjoy well-balanced meals prepared by the YMCA and served family style by the students.

This site introduces you to the program and its goals, as well as the information needed to prepare for your week at Outdoor Education.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Outdoor Education staff, please visit our Internship Program section to learn more about becoming a Naturalist.