Outdoor Education Offered This Summer Through Steinbeck Country Program

Author John Steinbeck lauded the lush, Central California coastal lands as the “valley of the world.” And this summer, Pasadena City College students will have the chance to experience them firsthand and at the same time gain academic credit.

Beginning this second summer session, PCC students enrolled in “Steinbeck Country” will be given the opportunity to explore different ecosystems, collaborate on projects, and camp for a week (July 9 to July 15) in the same region the literary giant penned about early in his prodigious career. This “living classroom” program is offered as a cohort where students will be able to gain credit through English 1B and Environmental Sciences 1 courses.

Some of the points of natural and literary interest that will be visited include: the Center for Regenerative Studies at Cal Poly, the coastal redwood forest, Big Sur, Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Jeffers’ Tor House in Carmel.

“Camping with a group is so much fun,” said Dr. Krista Walter, PCC associate professor of English. “But something truly amazing happens on this program. Experiential learning in nature is transformative. Students tell me their lives are changed.”

A fee of $200 is required to cover the costs of the trip, which include transportation, admission fees, campgrounds, and food. Students enrolled in the cohort must be eligible for both courses and may not take any other classes during the dates of the program. Honors credit is also available to students enrolled in the PCC Honors Program.

Space is limited. For more information, visit www.steinbeckcountry.weebly.com or contact Walter at kristawalter@hotmail.com or professor Erika Catanese at elcatanese@pasadena.edu.