Posts

Posted on

ESCAPE to the Golden Gate

A whirlwind tour through the Golden Gate and Marin Headlands area…

It was a beautiful day by the Bay. This trip has been a rainy one the past few years, so we enjoyed the chance to be out in the sunshine. About 50 of us started out from DeJean with a full itinerary. Our first stops were Lombard Street and the Palace of Fine Arts. We didn’t get to see the wild parrots—after all, they are wild–but both spots are always great for us to see.

We moved on to Fort Point in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s always fun to walk the dark hallways, look out over the ocean and bay, and see the history of the place. But the highlight this year was seeing A WHALE RIGHT IN FRONT OF US IN THE BAY!!! It didn’t stay long, but it was a special moment for sure!

After lunch, we walked to the first tower on the Golden Gate Bridge, and then drove across it to the Marin Headlands. We got a great tour of the Marine Mammal Center, and got to see some animals we don’t normally get to see there. It’s too early for the elephant seals that fill the place in the spring, but there was a fur seal and a blind sea lion, and we were introduced to all the things that go on at the Center.

Our final stop was Battery Spencer above the bridge. We enjoyed the spectacular views, explored the ruins, and just hung out with each other. A little smoke in the air made the sunset amazing, and we called it a day. Thanks to the several chaperones for making this logistically challenging day happen!

It’s been a great start to the year, and we’ve got a fantastic group of kids, so we’re looking forward to 2018! Check out the video if you have a few minutes.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and a prosperous new year. Thanks for your support, and we’ll see you soon!

Many more photos and videos from the day are here!

 

Posted on

ESCAPE to Elkhorn Slough

ESCAPE Club trip #150 was another great adventure!

The ESCAPE Club began 18 years ago in 1999. We’ve been taking about nine trips each year, and just this past month, we are grateful to say we’ve reached our 150th trip! What an amazing accomplishment! Thanks to each of you for your support, your time, and your encouragement.

Trip #150 was all that we’d hoped it would be as we spent the day at three very special locations.  About 50 of us set out from DeJean early in the morning, headed south to Moss Landing. But on the way, one of our caravan suffered a flat tire, which altered our plans. Most of our group detoured to the wharf in Santa Cruz. It was the perfect spot to spend a little extra time, enjoying the sea lions and the sunshine.

Our group reunited at Elkhorn Slough, and we got prepped for kayaking. The water was calm, and loaded with wildlife. We paddled about a mile into the slough, and then back to the harbor. Paddling can be hard work, and a challenge, but also a great experience and accomplishment. The slough was full of otters, jellies, seals, pelicans, and much more.

We wrapped up our day at an old favorite–the monarch migration at Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz. By the time we got there, the sun was low, and the weather too cool to see many butterflies in flight. But we were able to enjoy seeing thousands hanging together in the trees. We all had a taco for the road, and headed home. Check out the video below if you have a few extra minutes.

We’re looking forward to our next trip to Fort Point, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Marine Mammal Center, and are working out plans for the rest of the year. Maybe we’ll even try something different? Or not. We’d love to have you join us!

See all the photos and video of the trip here!
Posted on

ESCAPE to Mount Diablo

Our first trip of the year to the summit and Rock City.

Our year got off to a great start in October with the annual trip to Mt. Diablo. As has been our custom for many years, Rock City is a great place to hang out, and get to know each other, without a schedule, or agenda, or long hike.

We started out from DeJean, about 45 of us, and made our way all the way up to the summit of Mt. Diablo, about 4000 feet above sea level. The weather was clear, though we could see just the last remains of the smoke from fires to the north. We spent a half hour enjoying the views and the little museum, and headed back down to Rock City.  

Each year, we hope to catch a glimpse of a tarantula, but as we’ve been going later and later in the season, it’s been a while. We did get to see, and catch, a nice sized alligator lizard. We also saw a buck with a nice rack of antlers.

But the best part of the day is always scrambling up and down the rocks, climbing in and out of the little caves, following little trails to new spots, and just hanging with friends. This gives us lots of opportunity to get to know each other, and just relax away from home. We had games to play in the shade, ice cold water, and even an ice cream sandwich treat at the end of the day.

Our next trip is coming up quickly–kayaking in Elkhorn Slough, near Moss Landing. We’re really looking forward to seeing the kids on the water, and getting up close and personal with the sea otters!

It’s been great to hear from a few of you already. Feel free to drop us a note, come hang out on a Thursday, or even join us on a trip this year!

Have a look at the slideshow video if you’ve got a few minutes, and we’ll catch you soon!

Yes!  The slideshow videos are back too!

Posted on

Welcome Back to the ESCAPE Club!

The ESCAPE Club returns for another year.

Another school year has begun, and the ESCAPE Club marches on into its 18th year.  We’ve been meeting after school for a little over a month, getting to know each other, looking at a few maps, and outlining the rhythm of the year.  Over 60 students have been attending the meetings regularly, which is a lot, but typical for September and October.  We always expect it to thin out over time, and then shift and build again later.

We’ve lost several teachers and staff who were integral to our program to other pursuits and they will be missed. But a new regiment of teachers is now on staff at DeJean, and we’re hoping they’ll be excited to participate as well. Jason continues to teach math at DeJean, and John has a new title as an administrator in the district STEM office.

As has been our custom for several years now, our first trip is this weekend to Mt. Diablo.  We’ll head up to the summit for a while, then drive back down to Rock City for some light hiking, and scrambling up the rocks and into the wind caves.

A crowded classroom, working to label Bay Area maps.
An early candidate for this year’s mascot.  
We’ve got a few of these “yearbooks” left over from last year if you’re interested…

We appreciate all your support–whether it’s a kind note of encouragement, chaperoning a trip, helping write a grant, or donating financially. All the avenues for giving are the same: 1) donate directly to the club (check or PayPal), 2) donate to DeJean Middle School (specify ESCAPE Club), or 3) donate to our 501c3 sponsor, the EdFund (specify ESCAPE Club).  More details on donating are HERE.

As always, thanks to each of you for reading this far, and for all your love and support.  We’ll be in touch again soon with photos and the video from our first trip.  Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel, and follow us on Instagram!

In case you missed last year’s video, here’s another chance! It’s a good one!