About: Nestled in the heart of San Benito County, California among the sweeping oak-studded hillsides, Paicines Ranch is habitat for a diversity of wildlife including animals, birds, insects, trees, plants, grasses, springs, rivers, and much more. Our mission is to work with the dynamic natural world at the ranch to regenerate the health of the ecosystem from the soil up while growing delicious, nourishing food for our community.

Lodging: Lodging consists of an assortment of cottages, full-kitchen houses, and private rooms with endless landscapes. It’s spacious enough to accommodate large groups, while providing the ultimate in privacy for your celebration. Learn more here.

Learn More about the 8,000 acres of Paicines Ranch here.

Students have the opportunity to go hiking, mountain biking, and cook with professional chefs. Moreover they will become agricultural explorers, conducting real soil tests and investigating the hidden life beneath their feet. They'll observe wildlife, analyze ecosystems, and learn how farmers are using nature as a guide for food production. Hands-on experience with livestock will bring to life the very principles of the system behind our ecosystem. Each day builds toward a deeper understanding of how land, animals, and people work together in regenerative systems. By the end of the trip, students will leave with a renewed sense of leadership, purpose, and connection to the land.

Activities include: mountain biking, hiking, cooking, reflections and retreat, and curriculum-based learning.

Paicines Ranch Educational Itinerary

For High School Students and Teachers
Flexible 4–5 Day Experiential Program

🏡 About Paicines Ranch

Paicines Ranch is a working regenerative ranch that welcomes student groups to explore the intersection of ecology, agriculture, and leadership. The ranch can accommodate up to 250 guests across a variety of on-site cabins and historic homes, making it ideal for large student groups and faculty/staff chaperones.

All accommodations are within walking distance of educational spaces, dining areas, and field learning locations.

🛬 Day 1: Welcome to the Ranch — Play, Explore & Connect

Theme: Orientation + Outdoor Team Building

• Morning:

  • Arrival, check-in, and ranch orientation

  • Mountain Biking Tour through vineyard paths and scenic rangeland

    • Bike setup, safety session, and trail groupings by skill level

• Midday:

  • Lunch picnic under the oaks

  • Exploration of ranch trails and self-reflection journaling

• Afternoon:

  • Team-Building Games on open fields:

    • Capture-the-flag, tug-of-war, ultimate frisbee

  • Focus on collaboration, fun, and outdoor play

• Evening:

  • Campfire introduction with ranch staff

  • Guided reflection circle: “What are you curious to discover here?”

🌱 Day 2: Soil Life + Healthy Ecosystems

Morning:
🔬 "Underground Explorers: Life Beneath Our Feet"

• Field science investigations:

  • Soil temperature and water infiltration testing

  • Brix readings for plant sugar content

  • Microscopic analysis of soil microorganisms

Learning Outcomes:

• Soil health metrics and testing techniques

• Regenerative agricultural insights from real-world observation

• Developing a scientific mindset for natural systems

• Reflection Time:
  Field journaling: “What lives beneath our feet?”

Afternoon:
🌿 "Living Networks: Nature’s Food Web"

• Wildlife tracking (scat, feathers, tracks)

• Plant community mapping

• Explore how regenerative practices support biodiversity

Learning Outcomes:

• Ecological observation techniques

• Food web awareness in agricultural landscapes

• Storytelling from field notes

• Guided Reflection:
  Small-group discussion: “How does nature build relationships?”

🐄 Day 3: Animals in the Field — Hooves & Habitat

Theme: Holistic Planned Grazing

• Morning with livestock and ranchers:

  • Hands-on herding or observation of grazing rotations

  • Learn how animals support land regeneration

• Student “Grazing Strategy” Simulation:

  • Landscape health assessment

  • Team planning of a grazing rotation schedule

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand animal-land interactions

• Learn the principles of rotational grazing

• Practice collaborative decision-making

• Reflection Time:
  Quiet sit-spot followed by creative reflection: draw, write, sketch

🍽️ Day 4: Eating Is an Agricultural Act — Growing Together

Theme: Leadership, Food Systems & Personal Vision

• Visit to gardens or food growing areas

• Workshop: "The Story of Your Food"

  • Sustainable agriculture, climate, and equity discussions

  • Group cooking or food sharing experience

• Afternoon:
  🌄 "Finding Your Peak in Regenerative Leadership"

  • Action plan creation: How will I lead change?

  • Peer mentoring & storytelling sessions

  • Student presentations and vision sharing

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand food as a systems issue

• Create personal action plans

• Practice communication and leadership

• Evening:
  Celebration dinner + closing campfire with final reflections

✨ Day 5 (Optional): Farewell & Legacy

Morning:

• Gentle sunrise walk or yoga

• Legacy activity:

  • Plant a tree, create a mural, or contribute to a shared memory capsule

• Final reflection circle: “What do you want to take back home?”

Midday:

• Farewell brunch

• Departure

✂️ Condensed 4-Day Version Available:
Leadership and celebration elements from Day 4 can be blended into Day 3 to allow for a 4-day program that maintains all essential learning and reflective experiences.

🔁 Program Essentials

• Accommodations: 250-person capacity in on-site ranch homes and cabins

• Self & Guided Reflection: Embedded throughout each day to support personal growth and critical thinking

• Customizable: Optional excursions and adaptable scheduling available

🏞️ Optional Add-On:
Groups can include a day trip to Pinnacles National Park for hiking, geology, and outdoor ecology. This visit is not part of the core itinerary but can be easily arranged as a supplemental adventure.

Clothing:

• 3–4 base layer t-shirts (moisture-wicking, not cotton)

• 2 thermal/long-sleeve base layers

• 2 fleece or wool mid-layers (crewneck, hoodie, or pullover)

• 1 insulated jacket or puffy (mornings/evenings get cold)

• 1 durable rain jacket or waterproof shell (essential)

• 2 pairs of durable pants (jeans or hiking pants)

• 4 pairs of warm, wool or synthetic socks

• 1 beanie or warm hat

• 1 baseball cap or sun hat (for daytime sun)

• Gloves (lightweight work gloves or fleece gloves)

• Undergarments for 4 days

• Sleepwear (warm and layered—think hoodie and joggers)

• Sunglasses

Footwear:

• 1 pair of waterproof hiking boots or durable closed-toe shoes

• 1 pair of comfortable shoes/slip-ons for indoor/down time

• Flip-flops or shower sandals (for communal areas)

Gear:

• Daypack or small backpack

• Reusable water bottle (32 oz+)

• Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries)

• Insect repellent (optional)

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen (UV is still there in February)

• Toiletries (biodegradable soap, toothbrush, etc.)

Inquire Within

1. MAP OF HEADQUARTERS

   MAP OF HEADQUARTERS

   Please use this MAP of HEADQUARTERS to help you know where to go for meeting spaces, lodging and meals.

2. MEALS & MEETING SPACE

   Paicines Ranch Chef Maggie and team will be preparing delicious, locally-sourced meals featuring products from the NoRegrets Portfolio pantry. Meals are served at the Overlook Kitchen & Dining Hall with both indoor and outdoor seating available.

   Programming happens at our Event Center Barn & Awning (or occasionally Club 25) with time spent outdoors and on field walks out on the land.

3. (WE CAN ADD MORE)

This journey to Paicines Ranch deeply reflects the spirit of Laudato Si, Pope Francis’s call to care for our common home. By engaging directly with regenerative farming, ecological restoration, and ethical land stewardship, students witness how integral ecology unites care for the earth with care for people. Rooted in the Jesuit mission, this trip invites reflection, hands-on learning, and a deeper commitment to justice. It empowers students to become leaders who act with discernment, compassion, and a reverence for creation.

Pope Francis’s 7 Goals of Laudato Si

• Response to the Cry of the Earth

  We enforce human-powered travel and mountain-bike activities, while minimizing vehicle use and preserving ranch ecosystems. The Paicines Ranch is the response to the Earth’s Cry, fighting each day to create vegetation that heals old wounds.

• Response to the Cry of the Poor

  We offer subsidized educational programming to underserved youth, ensuring equitable access to nature and environmental education.

• Ecological Economics

  Supporting Paicines Ranch’s certified‑organic agriculture and sourcing eco-friendly gear, favoring local, sustainable suppliers.

• Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles

  Enforcing a zero-waste policy on trip - participants use reusable bottles and containers, divert compost, and avoid single-use plastics.

• Ecological Education

  Blending outdoor science with reflections and discussions prompted by Laudato Si’, paired with hands-on workshops in habitat restoration and wildlife awareness.

• Ecological Spirituality

  Incorporating moments of guided reflection, mindful nature walks, and evening contemplation on the ranch to deepen spiritual connection with creation.

• Community Engagement & Participatory Action

  Designing team-based conservation activities and community stewardship projects - like native planting - that foster collaboration and shared responsibility.

About: Nestled in the heart of San Benito County, California among the sweeping oak-studded hillsides, Paicines Ranch is habitat for a diversity of wildlife including animals, birds, insects, trees, plants, grasses, springs, rivers, and much more. Our mission is to work with the dynamic natural world at the ranch to regenerate the health of the ecosystem from the soil up while growing delicious, nourishing food for our community.

Lodging: Lodging consists of an assortment of cottages, full-kitchen houses, and private rooms with endless landscapes. It’s spacious enough to accommodate large groups, while providing the ultimate in privacy for your celebration. Learn more here.

Learn More about the 8,000 acres of Paicines Ranch here.

Students have the opportunity to go hiking, mountain biking, and cook with professional chefs. Moreover they will become agricultural explorers, conducting real soil tests and investigating the hidden life beneath their feet. They'll observe wildlife, analyze ecosystems, and learn how farmers are using nature as a guide for food production. Hands-on experience with livestock will bring to life the very principles of the system behind our ecosystem. Each day builds toward a deeper understanding of how land, animals, and people work together in regenerative systems. By the end of the trip, students will leave with a renewed sense of leadership, purpose, and connection to the land.

Activities include: mountain biking, hiking, cooking, reflections and retreat, and curriculum-based learning.

Paicines Ranch Educational Itinerary

For High School Students and Teachers
Flexible 4–5 Day Experiential Program

🏡 About Paicines Ranch

Paicines Ranch is a working regenerative ranch that welcomes student groups to explore the intersection of ecology, agriculture, and leadership. The ranch can accommodate up to 250 guests across a variety of on-site cabins and historic homes, making it ideal for large student groups and faculty/staff chaperones.

All accommodations are within walking distance of educational spaces, dining areas, and field learning locations.

🛬 Day 1: Welcome to the Ranch — Play, Explore & Connect

Theme: Orientation + Outdoor Team Building

• Morning:

  • Arrival, check-in, and ranch orientation

  • Mountain Biking Tour through vineyard paths and scenic rangeland

    • Bike setup, safety session, and trail groupings by skill level

• Midday:

  • Lunch picnic under the oaks

  • Exploration of ranch trails and self-reflection journaling

• Afternoon:

  • Team-Building Games on open fields:

    • Capture-the-flag, tug-of-war, ultimate frisbee

  • Focus on collaboration, fun, and outdoor play

• Evening:

  • Campfire introduction with ranch staff

  • Guided reflection circle: “What are you curious to discover here?”

🌱 Day 2: Soil Life + Healthy Ecosystems

Morning:
🔬 "Underground Explorers: Life Beneath Our Feet"

• Field science investigations:

  • Soil temperature and water infiltration testing

  • Brix readings for plant sugar content

  • Microscopic analysis of soil microorganisms

Learning Outcomes:

• Soil health metrics and testing techniques

• Regenerative agricultural insights from real-world observation

• Developing a scientific mindset for natural systems

• Reflection Time:
  Field journaling: “What lives beneath our feet?”

Afternoon:
🌿 "Living Networks: Nature’s Food Web"

• Wildlife tracking (scat, feathers, tracks)

• Plant community mapping

• Explore how regenerative practices support biodiversity

Learning Outcomes:

• Ecological observation techniques

• Food web awareness in agricultural landscapes

• Storytelling from field notes

• Guided Reflection:
  Small-group discussion: “How does nature build relationships?”

🐄 Day 3: Animals in the Field — Hooves & Habitat

Theme: Holistic Planned Grazing

• Morning with livestock and ranchers:

  • Hands-on herding or observation of grazing rotations

  • Learn how animals support land regeneration

• Student “Grazing Strategy” Simulation:

  • Landscape health assessment

  • Team planning of a grazing rotation schedule

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand animal-land interactions

• Learn the principles of rotational grazing

• Practice collaborative decision-making

• Reflection Time:
  Quiet sit-spot followed by creative reflection: draw, write, sketch

🍽️ Day 4: Eating Is an Agricultural Act — Growing Together

Theme: Leadership, Food Systems & Personal Vision

• Visit to gardens or food growing areas

• Workshop: "The Story of Your Food"

  • Sustainable agriculture, climate, and equity discussions

  • Group cooking or food sharing experience

• Afternoon:
  🌄 "Finding Your Peak in Regenerative Leadership"

  • Action plan creation: How will I lead change?

  • Peer mentoring & storytelling sessions

  • Student presentations and vision sharing

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand food as a systems issue

• Create personal action plans

• Practice communication and leadership

• Evening:
  Celebration dinner + closing campfire with final reflections

✨ Day 5 (Optional): Farewell & Legacy

Morning:

• Gentle sunrise walk or yoga

• Legacy activity:

  • Plant a tree, create a mural, or contribute to a shared memory capsule

• Final reflection circle: “What do you want to take back home?”

Midday:

• Farewell brunch

• Departure

✂️ Condensed 4-Day Version Available:
Leadership and celebration elements from Day 4 can be blended into Day 3 to allow for a 4-day program that maintains all essential learning and reflective experiences.

🔁 Program Essentials

• Accommodations: 250-person capacity in on-site ranch homes and cabins

• Self & Guided Reflection: Embedded throughout each day to support personal growth and critical thinking

• Customizable: Optional excursions and adaptable scheduling available

🏞️ Optional Add-On:
Groups can include a day trip to Pinnacles National Park for hiking, geology, and outdoor ecology. This visit is not part of the core itinerary but can be easily arranged as a supplemental adventure.

Clothing:

• 3–4 base layer t-shirts (moisture-wicking, not cotton)

• 2 thermal/long-sleeve base layers

• 2 fleece or wool mid-layers (crewneck, hoodie, or pullover)

• 1 insulated jacket or puffy (mornings/evenings get cold)

• 1 durable rain jacket or waterproof shell (essential)

• 2 pairs of durable pants (jeans or hiking pants)

• 4 pairs of warm, wool or synthetic socks

• 1 beanie or warm hat

• 1 baseball cap or sun hat (for daytime sun)

• Gloves (lightweight work gloves or fleece gloves)

• Undergarments for 4 days

• Sleepwear (warm and layered—think hoodie and joggers)

• Sunglasses

Footwear:

• 1 pair of waterproof hiking boots or durable closed-toe shoes

• 1 pair of comfortable shoes/slip-ons for indoor/down time

• Flip-flops or shower sandals (for communal areas)

Gear:

• Daypack or small backpack

• Reusable water bottle (32 oz+)

• Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries)

• Insect repellent (optional)

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen (UV is still there in February)

• Toiletries (biodegradable soap, toothbrush, etc.)

Inquire Within

1. MAP OF HEADQUARTERS

   MAP OF HEADQUARTERS

   Please use this MAP of HEADQUARTERS to help you know where to go for meeting spaces, lodging and meals.

2. MEALS & MEETING SPACE

   Paicines Ranch Chef Maggie and team will be preparing delicious, locally-sourced meals featuring products from the NoRegrets Portfolio pantry. Meals are served at the Overlook Kitchen & Dining Hall with both indoor and outdoor seating available.

   Programming happens at our Event Center Barn & Awning (or occasionally Club 25) with time spent outdoors and on field walks out on the land.

3. (WE CAN ADD MORE)

This unique program integrates the DofE’s essential journey framework with hands-on exposure to land stewardship, systems thinking, and team leadership, all set within the stunning natural landscapes of California’s Central Coast.

Through a collaboration with Mountain Goat Movement, we’ve designed a curriculum-aligned adventure that meets and elevates the requirements of the Bronze, Silver, and Gold DofE Awards.

🎯 Why Paicines Ranch?

• Authentic Wilderness Setting
  Oak forests, rangelands, croplands, and vineyards offer diverse terrain for navigation, self-reliance, and purposeful exploration.

• Sustainable Purpose
  Participants engage with regenerative farming practices, soil health monitoring, and climate resilience—embedding a real-world purpose into their journey goals.

• World-Class Learning Environment
  The Paicines Ranch Learning Center and Mountain Goat Movement team provide pre-training, campcraft, supervision, and access to agricultural experts, ensuring safety, skill-building, and inspiration.

🧭 Journey Structure

✔️ Aligned with DofE Requirements

Paicines Ranch Delivers:

Unfamiliar Environment: Students navigate open rangelands, oak-covered hills, and vineyard corridors

Teamwork & Leadership: Small teams plan routes, set up camp, and cook self-sufficiently

Purposeful Goal: Sample goal: “Investigate how rotational grazing impacts biodiversity and soil health over 10 acres”

Training & Preparation: Pre-journey training in navigation, first aid, Leave No Trace, and regenerative land use

Presentation: Each team delivers a final reflection and report with map annotations, group insights, and ecological learnings