Immerse yourself in the Outdoors at Mount Hermon

Our Location

Mount Hermon Outdoor Science School, located at Ponderosa Lodge, is an exciting, academic, and experiential hands-on program is based on the California Science Framework. Students actively participate in one week of outdoor science exploration and learning, intentionally designed to increase awareness and understanding of our physical environment while growing in good stewardship of our natural resources.

Mount Hermon’s 440 acres rest amid the Santa Cruz coastal redwoods, 70 miles south of San Francisco, and just 6 miles from the Pacific Ocean and the Monterey Bay. In our four distinct ecosystems students will explore and learn in a unique and dynamic environment. Extensive hiking trails lie next door in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, providing hours of fun and exploration.

On our campus, students can view native oaks, timeless Ponderosa Pines and the rare sandhills habitat, which is distinct to this area. During your stay, our naturalists will unfold this diverse coastal mountain region through creek research, redwood forest communities, animal identification, night hiking, habitat restoration and more. Mount Hermon provides an unparalleled setting for study, learning, and exploration.

Directions and maps to assist you in getting to Mount Hermon can be found on our directions page.

Mount Hermon Outdoor Science Staff Community