2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Classes are eight weeks long.  Join us for one session, or register for the full year.

Registration opens Wednesday May 15th, 2019!

2019-20 School Year Dates

Nature Sages

Class Tuition: $489/8-week session (includes food for one overnight campout)      Register Here
GRADES:     7th-9th 
CLASS SIZE: 10 (Friday class is 20 with two instructors)
CLASS DURATION: 3 Hours, 25 Minutes

 Campout Note: There is one overnight campout each session in lieu of regular class, usually Week #7.  The campout may be at Sienna Ranch or will be within a one-hour drive.  Exact dates will be given closer to the start of each session.   

*Connecting Waters Charter School does not cover the overnight so please be prepared to pay $61 and Connecting Waters will cover the remainder of the class.

Sienna Ranch’s Nature Sages Teen Program is designed to deepen each student’s connection with nature while building an individual sense of self and purpose. Through hands-on creative projects we will build skills related to survival, nature connection, homesteading, and ancient arts. By fostering an awareness of the outside world, we will build connections to our inner experience through personal reflection and group activities. Nature Sages will have the opportunity to grow as leaders and mentors by facilitating activities for our younger students- the Explorers and Junior Ranchers. Hiking, team building activities, and animal interactions/care will be regular aspects of the program as well. There will be opportunity to directly apply learned survival skills in the campout held once a session.

Nature Sages is open to all levels of experience. Whether you have grown up at Sienna Ranch or you are joining us for the very first time- everyone is welcome!

Students in the program are:

• Able to hike minimum two miles with a full backpack
• Able to sit and participate in group discussions
• Able to focus on a project for up to an hour
• Excited to challenge themselves in new ways
• Willing to work hard on projects that benefit the Ranch community
• Stoked to spend a night camping at the ranch or offsite
• Ready to be outside in all weather conditions and get dirty

Nature Sages Apprentice Extension

Class Tuition: Thursday Extension- $263/8-week session 
Class Tuition: Friday - $139/8-week session      Register Here
GRADES:     7th-9th 
CLASS SIZE: 10 
CLASS DURATION: Thursday 1:30-3:20pm or Friday 2:00-2:55pm

Note: Thursday extension is open to students enrolled in any of our Nature Sage classes (Wednesday, Thursday or Friday). Thursday morning Nature Sages wishing to enroll in Apprentice Extension must enroll in Ranch Connection also.

Friday Apprentice Extension is only open to students enrolled in Friday Nature Sages

*Credit available if apprentice volunteer agreement is fulfilled by assisting in holiday and summer camps; more information upon applying. If original tuition is paid with Charter School Funds Sienna Ranch will provide families a Sienna Ranch Credit to be used for any future programming desired. 

Nature Sages Apprentice Extension focuses on developing leadership skills under the careful mentorship of Sienna Ranch instructors. Apprentice Extension students may find themselves working in our scholarship garden, honing their naturalist skills, learning how to lead games and tell stories for younger students, and engaging in discussions and personal reflection on their leadership style and values. Sages will also be mentored through what it means to be an instructor’s assistant at the ranch, while having fun at our favorite spots around the property. Apprentice Extension is geared towards preparing students for being assistants in Sienna Ranch camps, however being an assistant is not a requirement.

NOTE: Thursday Apprentice Extension is a longer class, so Thursday Apprentice Extension students will go deeper into mentorship and leadership skills. Thursday Apprentices will get the opportunity to directly mentor younger Explorers students while being observed and mentored by their Sienna Ranch instructor.

Pottery Extension

Class Tuition: $139/8-week session      Register Here
GRADES:     5th-9th 
CLASS SIZE: 8 
CLASS DURATION: 1 Hour, offered Fridays 2-2:55pm

Pottery students will learn basic hand building techniques while drawing inspiration from the natural landscape and ranch life surrounding us. We will touch upon elements of design, texture, balance, and fundamentals of construction and glaze application.  Any level of clay experience is welcome. Projects will be designed to cumulatively build skills and inspire creativity. Pottery Extension is offered Fridays only and requires enrollment in Friday AM Explorers (Grades 5-6) or Nature Sages (Grades 7-9).  See more info about our Pottery Program here.

Class Tuition: $172/8-week session (this price includes four bi-weekly take-home produce boxes)      Register Here
GRADES:     5th-9th 
CLASS SIZE: 4 
CLASS DURATION: 1 Hour, offered Fridays 2-2:55pm

Ever wanted to know how real farmers grow food for market? In Market Farming Extension we will learn real farm techniques such as efficient planting, crop selection and rotation, organic pest management, and natural soil care. By the end of this class, participants will be able to plan, manage, harvest and prepare produce for the market or the table.

Every other week we will harvest a personalized farm produce box to take home for dinner. Each bi-weekly produce box will contain about three fresh bundles of greens to share with your family, as well as other seasonal gems such as chicken eggs, red radishes, fruit, or flowers to brighten your home, see picture below for an example. The included produce box cost goes to the Emilie Inman Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Ranch Apprentice Program

Class Tuition: $250/8-week session      Register Here
AGES:     12-18 
CLASS SIZE: 12 
CLASS DURATION: Sundays 12:30-4pm

Our apprenticeship program gives youth ages 12 to 18 an opportunity to experience the satisfaction, education, and tangible work experience which comes from working at a small, family-owned ranch. Apprentices have the opportunity to take ownership of the health and happiness of our animals.  Each week, the Apprentice team will work under the supervision of our Animal Care Manager to complete routine & special animal care tasks as well as doing enrichment learning about the animals. As a culmination of their learning, apprentices will work three weeks in the summer, assisting with horse camp and animal care tasks.

Completion Credit & Certificate

Credits: Conditional upon completing three weeks of summer work, apprentices will receive 25% of the cost of their school year Apprentice Program enrollment credited back to their family’s account.  For example, students enrolled in one session of the Apprentice Program during the 2019/20 school year ($250), will receive 25% of that credited back to their family’s account in the 2020/21 school year ($62.5). Credits never expire and are good for any member of the immediate family for any Sienna Ranch program. 

Certificate: Participants who complete a minimum of two sessions plus three weeks of summer apprenticeship will be awarded a Certificate of Appreciation at the end of the summer stating the number of hours worked. Sienna Ranch is happy to serve as a reference for apprentices in good standing, as well as give them priority consideration for our paid Animal Care Internship (Age 16+).

Participant Expectations

• Ages 12-18 
• Enjoy hard work, getting dirty, and caring for and learning about animals
• Take direction well (follow the Apprentice Rules and Sienna Ranch Staff Communication Principles)

• Team player
• Capable of working independently
• Available to work 3 weeks in the summer (June-Aug)

• Arrive on time and ready to learn.
• Follow all Sienna Ranch rules.
• Follow Sienna Ranch Staff Communication Principles.

• Adhere to professional expectations including attendance, good work ethic, appropriate clothing and language

Why join the apprentice program?

The apprentice program is an opportunity to create lifelong bonds with the Sienna Ranch animals and fellow team members! It’s also a chance to gain a hands-on understanding of what it takes to responsibly care for ranch animals.  Participants will gain valuable professional experience related to animal care, teamwork, leadership, communication, and problem-solving.

Is the Apprenticeship Program right for you?

In caring for animals, there is no such thing as a lazy day! The apprenticeship program requires hard work, dedication, maturity, professionalism, and responsibility. Rain or Shine, at least an hour of your day will consist of mucking & pen cleaning.

Typical Animal Care Tasks:

• Mucking stalls and cleaning pens
• Cleaning tack and equipment
• Routine animal maintenance
• Grooming
• Hoof trimming and care
• Minor wound care
• Animal exams
• Pen and fence mending

Summer Camp Apprentice

Each year Sienna Ranch offers our Nature Sages the opportunity to volunteer in our summer camps. Last year, apprentices reported that the experience was hard, rewarding work, and a lot of fun too!

Look for more details about our upcoming Summer Apprentice Program in the Spring. If you are interested you can read the Nature Sage Apprentice Job Description here. This is the Summer 2019 description and a updated one will be available in the Spring.

NOTE: All Nature Sage Apprentices who work two weeks of summer camp will receive a free Sienna Ranch t-shirt, and a certificate of appreciation at the end of the summer stating the number of hours worked. Sienna Ranch is also happy to serve as a reference for Nature Sage Apprentices in good standing.