All events specify a minimum age for participation.
- Eight (8) is the minimum age for most Reserve events.
- Some events require participants to be ages 12 & up.
- FAMILY events welcome children aged 6 & up.
- Refer to specific event listing for details.
- Be sure to review our age limit policy.
Pre-registration required for all programs.
- Contact us for large groups or to arrange a special group outing.
- Your registration enables us to contact you about program changes or cancellations. Please see our policy on Cancellations and Refunds.
- All visitors to The Reserve must present a signed release waiver upon entry to the property. Families may submit a single form, as long as all entrants are identified on the form. Waivers are also available at the event.
Martin Luther King Jr. - Day of Service 2019
Enjoy a morning of service with Reserve staff and fellow volunteers as we beautify the grounds of our headquarters and gardens. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the Martin Luther King Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a "day on, not a day off."
Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 8 and up
Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on Friday, January 18.
| When: | January 21, 2019, 9:00 am – 11:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 0 |
Astronomy Night
Orange County Stars
Visitors traveling to sparsely populated areas are usually delighted to discover how many more stars are visible than at home. Come out to The Reserve for Astronomy Night where you can still view many more celestial phenomena than elsewhere in urbanized Orange County!
Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the heavens, learn the constellations, and peer through the telescopes of our volunteer astronomers. Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. (BRING: Warm clothing, Red cellophaned flashlight, binoculars, optional beach chair.)
Interpretation Level: High
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: 8 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 1th.
| When: | February 2, 2019, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 16 (out of 30) |
Caspers Park Foundation Nature Talk
Reservations are not necessary for this event.
This nature-themed lecture is held in association with the monthly meeting of Caspers Park Foundation (CPF) volunteers.
Subject: Nighttime Bugs of Orange County
This event is presented by the Caspers Park Foundation. For information regarding this event, please contact the Caspers Park Foundation. For more info, email: CaspersParkFoundation@gmail.com or call 949-923-2210.
| When: | February 2, 2019, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Caspers Wilderness Park |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
Monday Trail Clearing and Weeding
Start off your week by working on maintaining Reserve land while enjoying a walk through nature. We will spend a couple of hours cleaning up the trails of The Reserve that traverse through oak woodlands and grasslands.
Drinks, snacks, gloves and tools are provided. We recommend bringing your own work gloves if you have them.
Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up
Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 3.
| When: | February 4, 2019, 7:30 am – 9:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 20 |
Lecture: Getting Friendly with Fungi
Explore the fascinating world of the kingdom Fungi with amateur mycologist Joanne Schwartz. She will describe methods for locating and identifying wild mushrooms in Southern California and beyond, as well as understanding their place in nature – oaks, pines, orchids and more are dependent on fungal associations. We will hear tales of fungal folklore and consider eating and growing them. Joanne will bring her collection of mushroom hunting gear and ID resources … and mushrooms too, if they are fruiting locally.
Her collecting in 2017 has focused in the Redwoods and southern Sierra, as well as Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. Her presentation will feature recent finds from these locations.
For a reference flyer by Joanne, please click HERE.
For more information on Joanne, please click HERE.
Ages: 8 and up
Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm, February 7.
| When: | February 7, 2019, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Guest House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 42 (out of 50) |
Middle Ridge Hike
Join us for an invigorating, steady-paced hike starting off at the majestic, 500 year-old Mother Oak. Enjoy spectacular views of The Reserve in late winter as we hike up Middle Ridge, over to Wilson’s Camp and return through Shady Canyon.
Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 8 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 8th.
| When: | February 9, 2019, 8:00 am – 10:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 20 (out of 25) |
Fun Finding Fungi Mushroom Walk
What are Mushrooms and Why Do We Care?
Why do they grow with Oaks?
Can I Touch Them? Can I Pick Them? Can I Eat Them?
How to Find, Photograph, and Identify Fungi.
Explore the fascinating world of wild mushrooms with amateur mycologist Joanne Schwartz. If we are fortunate and get rain, we might find a wide range of fungal forms and species.
For a list of references by Joanne, please click HERE.
For more information on Joanne, please click HERE.
Interpretation Level: High
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: 8 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 8.
| When: | February 10, 2019, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 12 (out of 25) |
Volunteer Orientation and Training
Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!
This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Reserve's history, philosophy and mission, as well as skills for working with the public. Meet other volunteers and learn how you can help preserve Reserve lands through conservation and education.
CERTIFIED RESERVE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM:
This training is the first step in becoming a Certified Reserve Volunteer. Certified Reserve Volunteers are specially trained volunteers that lead and co-lead Reserve programs.
Ages: 18 and up
| When: | February 13, 2019, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | RMV Presentation Center |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 22 (out of 25) |
After School Community Service
Join our staff for monthly after school service hours at the beautiful Reserve Headquarters on the Ortega Highway, nestled between the San Juan Creek and foothills covered in oak woodlands. The service project site hosts school field trips, summer camps and other programs. Maintaining the space allows for a safer and more enjoyable experience for all of its visitors. Earn volunteer service hours while giving back to the community!
Drinks, snacks, gloves and tools are provided! We recommend bringing your own work gloves if you have them.
Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up
Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on Thursday, February 14.
| When: | February 15, 2019, 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 20 |
Sounds of Nature - Family Walk
Enjoy a walk through oak woodlands as we listen for bird songs while becoming beginner birders, learn about animal adaptations including the sounds they make and discover the history of Native American legends. We will get crafty and make our own instruments from natural and recycled materials. Close your eyes and listen closely as we explore the sounds of nature!
Activities geared for ages 6 - 11 years, but everyone 6 and up is welcome to participate.
Interpretation Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: 6 and up
Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 22nd.
| When: | February 23, 2019, 9:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 21 (out of 25) |
Shooting Stars Wildflower Walk
Local wildflower expert Bob Allen will lead an exploration of The Reserve looking for early wildflowers like the Padre Shooting Star. Learn to identify blooms and savor the smells, sights, sounds and breathtaking beauty of winter.
Interpretation Level: High
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 8 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 8:00 pm on Friday, February 22rd.
| When: | February 23, 2019, 8:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |
Sierra Sage Hike
Join the Sierra Sage chapter of the Sierra Club to enjoy the beautiful, natural scenery of The Reserve.
Interpretation Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, March 5th.
| When: | March 6, 2019, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |
Astronomy Night
Orange County Stars
Visitors traveling to sparsely populated areas are usually delighted to discover how many more stars are visible than at home. Come out to The Reserve for Astronomy Night where you can still view many more celestial phenomena than elsewhere in urbanized Orange County!
Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the heavens, learn the constellations, and peer through the telescopes of our volunteer astronomers. Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. (BRING: Warm clothing, Red cellophaned flashlight, binoculars, optional beach chair.)
Interpretation Level: High
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: 8 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, March 8.
| When: | March 9, 2019, 7:45 pm – 9:45 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 30 |
Lecture: Wildflowers from A to Z - (Almost) Everything You Want to Know about Local Native Wildflowers
After winter rains, The Reserve teems with an endless array of wildflowers. Join us as botanist Tony Bomkamp presents interesting facts (with photos) about many of the most picturesque wildflowers popping up along our hillsides and in our back country.
Ages: 8 and up
Please note: Participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on Thursday, March. 21.
| When: | March 21, 2019, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Guest House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 50 |