PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and pick up your arrival packet which we'll review during our orientation session before dinner.
ORIENTATION: Begins before dinner. We'll have an overview of the program ahead and review the up-to-date schedule, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, any other administrative issues, and answer your questions. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting the program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible.
We anticipate an exciting week featuring Ventura County agriculture and food. During the week we will visit traditional and organic farmers in the orchards and fields, tour a packing house and insectary, and participate in a National Food Share project. Below is a TENTATIVE schedule of activities and field trip destinations. The final schedule will be in your registration packet and be determined by the availability of our agricultural contacts.
We appreciate your understanding. Dinner: Dinner at hotel
Menus are contracted for the program and are designed to offer balanced, healthy meals for the participants. In addition to the regular Road Scholar meal plan, this program offers a vegetarian meal option. Unfortunately, there are no other special meal options. Participants with special dietary needs should be prepared to avoid certain foods or supplement the regular meal plan as needed.Evening: CROSSING POINTS: Participants introduce themselves to the rest of the group.
Enjoy the remainder of the evening getting to know your fellow participants and discovering what you share beyond a love of lifelong learning.Lodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Dinner
Afterwards, visit Mission Produce's highly efficient avocado packing facility where one can watch the entire process from hydro-cooling and washing to the grading and packaging of avocados. Even though California grows avocados year round, Mission Produce is unable to keep up with the ever-growing demand for avocados, so they import avocados from Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and South Africa.Lunch: Enjoy a delicious lunch at Fresh and Fabulous Cafe in the historical Woolworth BuildingAfternoon: FIELD TRIP: Red wine tasting at Rancho Ventavo Cellars in Heritage SquareDinner: Dinner at hotelEvening: CLASS: The History of Agriculture in Ventura County
This absorbing presentation includes biographical histories of some of Oxnard's early farming families.Lodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover more about FOOD Share and a related work project through a guided walk of its facility. FOOD Share is a food bank that houses and distributes millions of pounds of food per year to the hungry of Ventura County. Lunch: Lunch at local restaurantAfternoon: FIELD TRIP: Organic Farm
Meet local farmer, Phil McGrath, and join him for a guided walk of his family-owned organic farm.Dinner: Dinner at hotel
As part of our dinner, the Crowne Plaza Culinary Staff will prepare and demonstrate a dessert for our group.Evening: DVD: Home Grow'n: Smart Growth or Sprawl
This 45-minute movie explores local efforts to stem suburban sprawl by shielding canyons, hillsides and other unspoiled land from development.Lodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meet local farmer in the field or orchard as they share their passion for Ventura County agriculture and its long, rich and dynamic heritageLunch: Lunch in Ojai Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Ojai Olive Oil
Enjoy a guided walk through Ojai Olive orchard and sample their estate extra virgin olive oils in the pressing room. Dinner: Dinner at hotelEvening: PERFORMANCE: Theater Sports
Enjoy the hilarity and talent of this gifted group of local improvisational actors.Lodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In a guided walk of Associates Insectary, learn about a variety of beneficial organisms that they raise to help grower-members fight destructive pests which threaten local citrus and avocado crops.Lunch: Lunch at local restaurantAfternoon: FIELD TRIP: View agricultural exhibits at Museum of Ventura County/Agriculture MuseumDinner: Wine and Food Pairing Dinner
As part of our final dinner, the Crowne Plaza Culinary Staff will prepare and demonstrate a dessert for the group.Lodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HOTEL CHECK OUT: This concludes the program. We hope you have enjoyed our Ventura County Agricultural program and will join us for other rewarding adventure in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys.Meals Included: Breakfast
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 653-0323
One of the museum's permanent exhibits explores the community's past from the Chumash era through the 21st century. It consists of a fascinating collection of artifacts and displays focusing on Native Americans, Spanish and Mexican pioneers, and European and Yankee settlers. Especially notable are the George Stuart Historical figures, which are intricately carved figures from history that are dressed in elaborate period costume.For additional information, visit: www.venturamuseum.org
(805) 643-4318
Mission San Buenaventura was founded in 1782. It is the ninth of California's 21 missions and the last to be established by Father Serra. Visitors will discover a small museum with mission artifacts such as Chumash basketry, a quiet courtyard, and 250 year-old paintings of the Stations of the Cross.For additional information, visit: www.sanbuenaventuramission.org
(805) 648-2075 or (800) 333-2989
Ventura offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as beach walks, biking and hiking trails, bird watching, camping, golf, sport fishing, water activities and whale watching. The Crowne Plaza Hotel is situated next to the beach and an oceanside boardwalk that stretches for many miles. Some trail heads are within walking distance of the hotel.For additional information, visit: www.ventura-usa.com