All events specify a minimum age for participation.
- Eight (8) is the minimum age for most Reserve events.
- Some events require participants to be ages 12 & up.
- FAMILY events welcome children aged 6 & up.
- Refer to specific event listing for details.
- Be sure to review our age limit policy.
Pre-registration required for all programs.
- Contact us for large groups or to arrange a special group outing.
- Your registration enables us to contact you about program changes or cancellations. Please see our policy on Cancellations and Refunds.
- All visitors to The Reserve must present a signed release waiver upon entry to the property. Families may submit a single form, as long as all entrants are identified on the form. Waivers are also available at the event.
Full Moon Hike
Take in moonlit coast live oaks and sycamores on a naturalist-led hike through The Nature Reserve.
Interpretation Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 8 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Thursday, April 11.
| When: | April 12, 2025, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 0 |
Trail Stewardship
Volunteer to spend a few hours in beautiful surroundings helping The Nature Reserve. Join the crew dedicated to protecting our native ecosystems by clearing trails, restoring habitats, and eliminating weeds. Volunteer efforts make an impact! (BRING: Work gloves if you have them).
Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up (Volunteers under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.)
Participants must be registered or on the waitlist by Friday, April 11 at 4:00 pm.
| When: | April 12, 2025, 8:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 8 (out of 20) |
Presentation: From Rancho to Reserve-The History of The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo
Come hear how what was once known as "California's Greatest Rancho" has become a habitat reserve dedicated to the conservation of native species. Learn the colorful history of Rancho Mission Viejo and the handshake that started it all.
Ages: 8 and up
| When: | April 17, 2025, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Garage Community Center, Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 45 (out of 55) |
Reading with Reptiles
Join Rosy the snake and Buckwheat the tortoise to celebrate Earth Day! Discover what gifts we get from the Earth and make Happy Earth Day cards. We'll be reading Care for the World by, Karen S. Robbins, and One Earth by Eileen Spinelli.
Ages: All (Recommended 3-5) w/accompanying adult
| When: | April 22, 2025, 9:00 am – 9:45 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch Camp, Rienda |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 24 (out of 25) |
Air Bird & Bug Interpretive Hike at Ranch Camp
Join us at The Nature House at Ranch Camp in Rancho Mission Viejo for our Air Bird & Bug hike! We'll start by learning about how you can help make your house and yard friendlier to the birds and insects that migrate to and through your neighborhood. Then head out on a guided hike along the trails around Ranch Camp, to learn more about some of our wildlife tourists.
Interpretation Level: High
Difficulty Level: Easy - Moderate
Trail Length: 1.1 miles
Ages: 6 and up
Participants must be registered or on the waitlist by Friday, May 2 at 4:00pm.
| When: | May 3, 2025, 9:00 am – 10:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch Camp, Rienda |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 18 (out of 24) |
Reading with Reptiles
Join Rosy the snake and Buckwheat the tortoise for a fun morning at The Nature House. We'll be reading a nature-themed book, playing games, and exploring the Nature House at Ranch Camp.
Ages: All (Recommended 3-5) w/accompanying adult
| When: | May 6, 2025, 9:00 am – 10:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch Camp, Rienda |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 24 (out of 25) |
Volunteer Orientation and Training
Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!
This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature Reserve's history, philosophy and mission, as well as skills for working with the public. Meet other volunteers and learn how you can help preserve Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.
Ages: Adult, 18 and up
Thank you for expressing interest in volunteering for The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.
| When: | May 14, 2025, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 23 (out of 25) |
Trail Stewardship
Volunteer to spend a few hours in beautiful surroundings helping The Nature Reserve. Join the crew dedicated to protecting our native ecosystems by clearing trails, restoring habitats, and eliminating weeds. Volunteer efforts make an impact! (BRING: Work gloves if you have them).
Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up (Volunteers under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.)
Participants must be registered or on the waitlist by Friday, May 16 at 4:00 pm.
| When: | May 17, 2025, 8:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 19 (out of 20) |
Astronomy Night
Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the night sky, learn the constellations, and peer through the telescopes of our guest astronomers. The Nature Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. (What to bring: warm clothing, flashlight with red cellophane/lens to reduce light pollution, binoculars, optional beach chair.)
Interpretation Level: High
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: 8 and up
| When: | May 31, 2025, 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 30 |
Volunteer Orientation and Training
Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!
This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature Reserve's history, philosophy and mission, as well as skills for working with the public. Meet other volunteers and learn how you can help preserve Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.
Ages: Adult, 18 and up
Thank you for expressing interest in volunteering for The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.
| When: | June 7, 2025, 9:00 am – 10:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |
Summer Day Camp: Outdoor Explorers!
Step into adventure and become an outdoor explorer! Identify wildlife clues on the trail and meet our live animal ambassadors. Build shelters and practice kid-friendly outdoor skills to be safe and smart on the trail.
Campers embark on daily nature adventures as they explore trails, outdoor play areas, trees, and more! Each week features our live animal ambassadors. Camp topics are reinforced through games, art projects, and hands-on activities. In addition to scheduled activities, campers are given supervised free time to experience nature on their own.
Dates: June 9 - June 12, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Drop off begins 8:30 am)
Ages: 6-11
On Thursday only, camp will be held offsite at The Campout & The Pavilion playground in Rancho Mission Viejo.
For a discounted price on a week of camp, become an annual Nature Reserve Family Supporter and enjoy benefits such as free and reduced costs to our Events all year long! Visit our Donate page to learn more.
Campers must be registered or on the waitlist by 4:00 pm on Friday, June 6.
| When: | June 9, 2025, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 17 (out of 40) |
Summer Day Camp: Nature Artists!
Craft colorful works of art inspired by the outdoors, using natural and recycled materials. Create your own nature art notebook and learn to draw native animals with our own animal ambassadors. Take a color walk to San Juan Creek to discover a rainbow of colors in nature!
Campers embark on daily nature adventures as they explore trails, outdoor play areas, trees, and more! Each week features our live animal ambassadors. Camp topics are reinforced through games, art projects, and hands-on activities. In addition to scheduled activities, campers are given supervised free time to experience nature on their own.
Dates: June 16 - June 19, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Drop off begins 8:30 am)
Ages: 6-11
On Thursday only, camp will be held offsite at The Hangout & The Backyard playground in Rancho Mission Viejo.
For a discounted price on a week of camp, become an annual Nature Reserve Family Supporter and enjoy benefits such as free and reduced costs to our Events all year long! Visit our Donate page to learn more.
Please read our Summer Day Camp Cancellation & Refund Policy.
Campers must be registered or on the waitlist by 4:00 pm on Friday, June 13.
| When: | June 16, 2025, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 21 (out of 40) |
Summer Day Camp: California Animal Adventures!
Adventure awaits as we discover the amazing animals around us! Meet our California animal ambassadors, including locally rescued hawks and owls from the OC Bird of Prey Center. Investigate local wildlife using magnifying glasses, binoculars and sweep nets during daily adventures on the trail!
Campers embark on daily nature adventures as they explore trails, outdoor play areas, trees, and more! Each week features our live animal ambassadors. Camp topics are reinforced through games, art projects, and hands-on activities. In addition to scheduled activities, campers are given supervised free time to experience nature on their own.
Dates: June 23 - June 26, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Drop off begins 8:30 am)
Ages: 6-11
On Thursday only, camp will be held offsite at The Nature House & Boulder Pond playground in Rancho Mission Viejo.
For a discounted price on a week of camp, become an annual Nature Reserve Family Supporter and enjoy benefits such as free and reduced costs to our Events all year long! Visit our Donate page to learn more.
Please read our Summer Day Camp Cancellation & Refund Policy.
Campers must be registered or on the waitlist by 4:00 pm on Friday, June 20.
| When: | June 23, 2025, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 23 (out of 40) |
Volunteer Orientation and Training
Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!
This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature Reserve's history, philosophy and mission, as well as skills for working with the public. Meet other volunteers and learn how you can help preserve Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.
Ages: Adult, 18 and up
Thank you for expressing interest in volunteering for The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.
| When: | July 9, 2025, 9:00 am – 10:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |
Volunteer Orientation and Training
Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!
This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature Reserve's history, philosophy and mission, as well as skills for working with the public. Meet other volunteers and learn how you can help preserve Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.
Ages: Adult, 18 and up
Thank you for expressing interest in volunteering for The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.
| When: | August 16, 2025, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |