Philosphy
Our Philosophy
Philosphy
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy mirrors that of ancient indigenous cultures, who believed "nature awareness" involved understanding the natural cycle, and its' interconnections. Their lives were guided by what they called the "Original Instructions", which informed their interactions with the natural world.
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About the Program
New Page
About the Program
Delphinus School of Natural History is a unique, regional, outdoor science program in San Luis Obispo for elementary and middle school students. Our programs are engaging, interactive, and student driven, which fosters self-expression.
Our explorations and adventures engage all the senses, and allow each explorer to create personal relationships with nature, based on their own interests.
Although we fully embrace the tenets of the "Natural Cycle of Learning", our camps are often unstructured, but have a scientific undertone that informs and instructs in ways that encourage individual investigation.
Our explorations facilitate retention of scientific knowledge; as related to natural processes among plants and animals, and promote further exploration.
We firmly believe that students who develop a deep personal relationship with nature become environmental stewards of nature, instead of casual observers of nature.
Our Director/Program Supervisor
Meet The Director!
Our Director/Program Supervisor
Meet The Director!
John L. Sanders
John L. Sanders
Founder/Director
My career as an outdoor educator began while I was in the graduate marine science program at UC Santa Cruz. I collaborated in the design of a summer residential science program for 6th-8th-grade students. As a result, the UC Santa Cruz Summer Science Program was initiated.
While cruising Monterey Bay on a whale-watching trip, my students and I witnessed a group of Orcas attacking a Grey whale and her calf. No textbook or video could have had a similar impact on the students, nor could they have ignited student interest the way this experience had. It was also when I became committed to experiential, outdoor education.
From 2002 to 2021, I taught outdoor science as a Naturalist/Outdoor Science Educator with the Kern Environmental Education Program (Camp KEEP). During that time, I interacted with thousands of 5th, 6th and 7th graders from Kern, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey Counties.
In 2011, Delphinus School of Natural History was founded, as a regional, Summer Science-Exploration program for elementary and middle school students from 1st-6th grade. We now also incorporate camps for older students, adults, and interns. Our programs focus on nature awareness, promote environmental stewardship, and offer instruction in Natural History, Animal Behavior, Estuary Science, Coastal Geology, and Freshwater Ecosystems.
