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!
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.
Upcoming Junior Expedition
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.
Please email donorevent@calacademy.org to RSVP.
Past Junior Expeditions
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. This activity is limited to Leadership Circle Donors, please RSVP by Nov. 27.
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.
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!).
Embark on a Local Expedition with Academy scientists and experience Bay Area biodiversity like an insider.
Celebrate your family’s support of the Academy—and leave a legacy that will endure and inspire for generations.
Academy supporters are invited to a suite of exclusive events, from field expeditions to exhibit premieres.