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.
Summer Day Camp: We Dig Fossils!
Dig into summer as we become paleontologists exploring the world of fossils. Campers embark on daily nature adventures as they explore trails, outdoor play areas, trees, and more! 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 12 - June 15, 2023
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Drop off begins 8:30 am)
Ages: 6-11
For a discounted price on a week of camp, sign up for a yearly Family Level Supportership! Receive a discount on camp and attend most Nature Reserve events for FREE throughout the year. Contact us for more details.
Campers must be registered or on the waitlist by 4:00 pm on Friday, June 9.
| When: | June 12, 2023, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 0 |
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 14, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 19 (out of 25) |
Summer Day Camp: Survive the Wild!
Discover how to survive the wild if you find yourself lost. Build shelters, find water, and learn trail safety with our animal ambassadors. Campers embark on daily nature adventures as they explore trails, outdoor play areas, trees, and more! 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 19 - June 22, 2023
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Drop off begins 8:30 am)
Ages: 6-11
For a discounted price on a week of camp, sign up for a yearly Family Level Supportership! Receive a discount on camp and attend most Nature Reserve events for FREE throughout the year. Contact us for more details.
Campers must be registered or on the waitlist by 4:00 pm on Friday, June 16.
| When: | June 19, 2023, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 5 (out of 30) |
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: | June 24, 2023, 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 14 (out of 40) |
Summer Day Camp: Amazing Animals!
Go wild! Explore amazing native animals and meet our awesome animal ambassadors. Campers embark on daily nature adventures as they explore trails, outdoor play areas, trees, and more! 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 26 - June 29, 2023
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Drop off begins 8:30 am)
Ages: 6-11
For a discounted price on a week of camp, sign up for a yearly Family Level Supportership! Receive a discount on camp and attend most Nature Reserve events for FREE throughout the year. Contact us for more details.
Campers must be registered or on the waitlist by 4:00 pm on Friday, June 23.
| When: | June 26, 2023, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 14 (out of 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: | July 15, 2023, 9:00 am – 10:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 24 (out of 25) |
Magnificent Morning Interpretive Hike at Ranch Camp
Join us at The Nature House at Ranch Camp in Rancho Mission Viejo for a magnificent morning hike! We'll start by learning about the "Magnificent Seven" endangered species that The Nature Reserve helps to protect and head out on a guided hike along the trails around Ranch Camp, to learn more about the local plants and animals.
Interpretation Level: High | Difficulty Level: Easy - Moderate | Trail Length: 1.7 miles | Ages: 6 and up
| When: | July 15, 2023, 9:00 am – 10:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch Camp, Rienda |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 10 (out of 25) |
Wildlife Wonders! at Ladera Ranch Library
Wonder why owls fly silently or why deer hide their young alone? Uncover the mysteries of wonderful wildlife living around us in Southern California. Learn about the seven endangered species of The Nature Reserve and how you can help protect wildlife and their habitats.
Registration not required, walk-ins welcome. The program is open house style with self-guided and naturalist-guided hands-on activities and crafts. Please arrive within 30 minutes of program start time to enjoy all of the activities. Program activities will end promptly at the event end time.
This program is geared for children ages 4 and up. All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.
| When: | July 17, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ladera Ranch Library |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
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: | July 22, 2023, 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 40 |
Nature Artists! at Ladera Ranch Library
Bring the outdoors inside and get creative! Use natural and recycled materials to make one-of-a-kind works of art, inspired by nature. Learn to draw California native animals and sketch a few of our animal ambassadors.
Registration not required, walk-ins welcome. The program is open house style with self-guided and naturalist-guided hands-on activities and crafts. Please arrive within 30 minutes of program start time to enjoy all of the activities. Program activities will end promptly at the event end time.
This program is geared for children ages 4 and up. All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.
| When: | July 24, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ladera Ranch Library |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
Butterflies and Bugs! at Ladera Ranch Library
Fly, hop, crawl or soar... we’re talking about butterflies, beetles, ants, and more! Learn about the largest animal group on the planet, insects, as we bring out the magnifying glasses and explore these amazing, tiny creatures!
Registration not required, walk-ins welcome. The program is open house style with self-guided and naturalist-guided hands-on activities and crafts. Please arrive within 30 minutes of program start time to enjoy all of the activities. Program activities will end promptly at the event end time.
This program is geared for children ages 4 and up. All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.
| When: | July 31, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ladera Ranch Library |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
Fire Watch Training
Help out your community by becoming a South Orange County Fire Watch volunteer!
Training will focus on: understanding basic fire behavior, identifying signs of wildfire, dealing with suspect behavior, providing useful fire information, and contacting proper fire authorities.
Ages 18 and up.
| When: | August 10, 2023, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ladera Ranch Fire Station 58 |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 27 (out of 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: | August 16, 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ranch House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 23 (out of 25) |