It’s Summer Camp Season!
June marks the end of the Outdoor School and the beginning of Nature Day Camps at The Crest. This past month, Willow-Witt Ranch has been full of students, community members and happy farm dogs exploring the land together.
Our goats are pictured above with an art installation at Willow-Witt Ranch, created by the brilliant Avantika Bawa. Come and visit as part of the Art Beyondproject through the end of August.
What Are We Up To?
Sign up for Nature Day Camps!
The Crest is hosting an outstanding day camp program this summer.
Campers will immerse themselves in our ancient forests and volcanic geology, biodiverse wetlands, and growing organic farm. They will explore the varied 445-acre property while playing games, telling stories, hiking, adventuring with goats, studying turtles and birds, collecting eggs, harvesting food and so much more.
1 week sessions
June 21 through August 27
9am – 3:30pm, Monday – Friday
Childcare offered until 5:30pm
Turtles (ages 6-8)
Owls (ages 9-12)
$320 per camper per week.
Full and partial scholarships available.
We will not turn anyone away for lack of funds.
Campers will receive a free box of organic produce each week. Transportation provided via charter bus from Medford, Talent, Phoenix and Ashland up to Willow-Witt Ranch.
Get more information.
Join us: Upland Stewardship Corps
The Crest work parties: Thursdays @ 10am
Vesper Meadow work parties: Saturdays @ 9am
The neighboring Vesper Meadow Restoration Preserve and The Crest are hosting restoration-focused volunteer work parties twice a week this summer.
Volunteers are welcome to participate in weekly events or as many times as they are able. So far, Upland Stewardship Corps volunteers have planted willows, prepped materials for stream erosion control and removed invasive species.
Everyone is welcome!
Outdoor School Success
The Crest is winding down its first season of Outdoor School. In addition to a six week in-classroom program at Talent Elementary, we successfully hosted more than 180 5th, 6th and 7th graders on full day field trips at Willow-Witt Ranch. 5th graders from Talent Elementary and 6th and 7th graders from Kids Unlimited Academy all had a great time!
It has been such a privilege to teach and guide these wonderful students while exploring the ecosystems at Willow-Witt. Thank you to our instructors as well as the local teachers and administrators who made it possible.
We can’t wait until next year!
Take Action, Learn More
SOESD Indian Education Department
Support our local indigenous community by donating to the Southern Oregon Education Service District Indian Education Department.
They support native students and families in the Rogue Valley by organizing local Native American Student Unions, college campus visits, community programs and more!
The Crest is proud to be a partner of the Indian Education program. This summer, we are working together to involve native students in our summer camps and volunteer programs.
Donate by mailing a check to:
SOESD – Indian Education
101 N Grape St., Medford, OR 97501
Hannah Kittler
Hannah Kittler is an incredibly dedicated member of the Crest’s Board of Directors. We are so grateful for all of Hannah’s work as she moves to Boise, ID this summer. We will miss you!
Hannah is originally from Massachusetts but has lived all around the country working as an environmental educator. After completing her Master’s Degree in Environmental Education here in Oregon, she worked for The Crest writing curriculum for their Outdoor School programs. She was so enamored with the organization and its mission that she volunteered to be on our Board. She loves living in such a beautiful place and connecting kids from all different backgrounds to nature.
Fawn Lily
The genus Erythronium, also known as fawn lily, trout lily or dog-tooth violet, pop up all over the forest floors at Willow-Witt Ranch in late spring. They are one of the first wildflowers to bloom on the mountain.
Fawn lilies are often about 5 inches tall, with blooms no more than 2 inches across. Their leaves are green and mottled, gathering at the base of the stem.
They bloom in shades of purple and gold/white and can be found throughout the Pacific Northwest. They are pollinated by native bees and become dormant once again during the summer.
Come visit Willow-Witt Ranch to see these ephemeral beauties before they disappear once again.
