In addition to Local Expeditions, Director’s Circle and Leadership Circle families are invited to two Junior Expeditions each year. See where we're going and where we've been!

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Group of Academy donor families at an outdoor presentation


From animal encounters to hands-on projects, Junior Expeditions are designed especially for the whole family to enjoy—and introduce your young naturalists to inspiring Academy scientists.

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Upcoming Junior Expedition

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Junior Expedition: California Skulls
Sunday, December 8, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 9:40 AM

Director's and Leadership Circle donors are invited to bring their children or grandchildren to a Junior Expedition activity just before Friends Family Breakfast. Participants will take an exciting adventure as ecologists to explore the Golden State’s diverse climate regions and biodiversity. Examine skulls to find clues about the animals that live in their climate regions and how they are interconnected. RSVP by Monday, December 2 to donorevent@calacademy.org.

 

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Past Junior Expeditions

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Science, Sketching, and Soil!
Wednesday, May 22 | 5:15 - 6:00 PM

Director’s and Leadership Circle families are invited to join us before the California: State of Nature donor premiere for a special Junior Expedition. Are you curious about what scientists do? Try your hand at observing the natural world just outside the doors and dig around. This activity is ideal for children ages 3-15. 

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Image of Engineering Our Coastlines activity.

Engineering Our Coastlines
Sunday, December 3 | 9:00 am

Leadership Circle Donors plus children or grandchildren are invited to join us before Friends Family Breakfast for a hands-on Junior Expedition where we will be taking on the role of engineers who are working with community members to design a shoreline that is safe for people and wildlife. 

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Promotional image for Academy donor event featuring dinosaur illustrations

Dig In With Dr. Scott
Wednesday, May 24, 2023; 5-6 pm

Director’s and Leadership Circle families are invited to join us before the World’s Largest Dinosaurs exhibit premiere for a special Junior Expedition. Learn what it’s like to be a paleontologist and how fossils are excavated with Dr. Scott Sampson, the Academy's executive director and former host of PBS KIDS series "Dinosaur Train." This event is ideal for elementary school-aged children and their families.

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Academy staff member leads donor kids on a walk in the woods

The Secret Trail of Quails
Fall 2022

Explore a secret trail near the Academy through the lens of a community scientist. We will observe the habitat of California’s charismatic yet dwindling state bird and share our findings with fellow community scientists (and professional scientists, too!).

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More to explore
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Academy donors and community scientists explore tidepools at Pillar Point
Local Expeditions for Donors

Embark on a Local Expedition with Academy scientists and experience Bay Area biodiversity like an insider.

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View of Wander Woods in the East Garden at the Academy
Recognition & Naming Opportunities

Celebrate your family’s support of the Academy—and leave a legacy that will endure and inspire for generations.

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Donor tidepooling excursion at Pillar Point
Donor Events

Academy supporters are invited to a suite of exclusive events, from field expeditions to exhibit premieres.

Contact us
Questions about Junior Expeditions or Donor Circle benefits? We're happy to help. Contact us today!