Starting in first grade, students participate in developmentally appropriate, intensive, immersive trips to enhance learning through direct, hands-on experiences. In first grade, the trips sequence begins with the entire grade sleeping over in the Mansion Ballroom and culminates, in eighth grade, as students travel abroad to further learn their language of study -- either Japanese, Spanish or Mandarin.

The first-grade Ballroom sleepover is a fun and exciting evening for students. Most activities are centered in the Ballroom, outside areas, and classrooms. Children work in teams to prepare and clean up after meals and snacks. Parents have opportunities to organize, cook, and clean up the breakfast.

Second graders have a two-day trip to Mt. Cross Camp, a 105-acre camp located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Nueva science and SEL staff, classroom teachers, and naturalists from Naturalists at Large conduct the trip.

The third grade travels to Memorial Grove Park, near Pescadero, for a three-day camping trip. The park's 500 acres provide opportunities to view outstanding old-growth redwoods, and there are hiking trails, plus a creek to swim in. Nueva science and SEL staff, classroom teachers, and naturalists from Naturalists at Large also lead this trip.

Fourth graders spend four days at Sonoma County's Westminster Woods -- a unique camp, conference, and retreat center nestled in coastal redwoods on 200 acres -- to explore redwood, stream, and conservation ecology.