Preschool playdates Program


Inviting all children ages 3 to 5 to join us every week for nature themed lessons and activities!

Each day will include environmental education and literacy, a craft made from recycled materials, outdoor play and more! 

Preschool Playdates is held weekly throughout the entire year, except for holidays (see below).

 

If you have any questions about Preschool Playdates or registration please contact Miss Emily at: emily.bonds@aguahedionda.org

Our Schedule: ​

Preschool Playdates will be held Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 1:00pm. You can choose to register for the entire week, four days, three days, two days or one day a week

Looking to drop in?

Email emily.bonds@aguahedionda.org with the date you are interested in attending.

cost

  • Weekly (5 days): $200
  • Four days: $160
  • Three days: $120
  • Two days: $85
  • One day: $50



*Payments are processed monthly, on the first Tuesday of each month.

Late Owl Extended Day Program: 

Inviting Preschool Playdates attendees, who do not nap and are four or five years old, to stay for our extended day options. Late Owl activities will include animal interactions, story times, more of our themed lesson and activities and more FUN! Offered Monday-Friday as an extended day for Preschool Playdates. Families choose what days they would attend our Late Owl Program; monthly registration required. 

  • Pick Up at 3:00pm- $30 per day
  • Pick up at 4:00pm- $40 per day
  • Pick up at 5:00pm- $50 per day

Member Discount:

All Sustainer Circle Member Levels will receive 50% off your third month of preschool playdates. You must continue your membership for the year to receive the discount for Preschool Playdates.

*If membership is cancelled prior to a year since membership start date, you will be charged for the Preschool Playdates discounted days.​

​​

Refer a Playmate: 

If you refer a new playmate, a child who has never attended our Preschool Playdates Program, you and your new playmate will receive a one time 15% off code to use on your playdate! In order to receive the 15% off code, you and your new playmate must email emily.bonds@aguahedionda.org.

Monthly Themes: ​​​

  • July- Coastal Caretakers
  • August- Earth Explorers
  • September- California Adventure
  • October- Long, Long Ago
  • November- Thankful for Fall
  • December- Winter Wonderland
  • January- Deep Blue Sea
  • February- Habitat Happenings
  • March- And Then It's Spring
  • April- Planet Protectors
  • May- Space Exploration
  • June- Sweet Summer

Please have your child bring:

  • Snack
  • Lunch
  • Reusable Water Bottle
  • An extra pair of clothes in case we get dirty! 
  • Weather appropriate clothing, closed-toed shoes, and come wearing sunscreen - we will be outside!
  • Lots of energy!

Holidays for 2024: ​​​

  • Memorial Day- May 27th
  • Independence Day- July 4th and 5th
  • Labor Day- September 2nd
  • Fall Break- November 25th-29th
  • Winter Break- December 23rd-27th

Meet The Teachers

Emily Bonds, Director of Education 

Emily grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and her love for the great outdoors developed at a young age. The warm weather and ocean drew Emily to Southern California, where she attended Chapman University. She received her B.A. in Integrated Education Studies with an emphasis in Leadership Studies and a Minor in Environmental Science. She also studied abroad in Turks and Caicos Island, where she studied marine science and tourism. Her passion for outdoor education and marine science drew her to the AHLF Discovery Center for their Academy of Environmental Stewardship. Emily is excited to be teaching and learning at the AHLF Discovery Center!

Lissa Schroeder, Education Coordinator

Lissa has lived in Southern California her whole life and grew up in a small town called Elfin Forest. Her love for the outdoors began when she was at a very young age, as she was always outside caring for her family’s horses, goats, chickens and more. Growing up near hundreds of acres of open space, Lissa quickly realized the importance of conserving and protecting our natural lands. She graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Environmental Management and Protection and a Minor in Indigenous Studies in Natural Resources and the Environment. Lissa has worked with several nonprofit organizations where she focused on land conservation management and created science based educational programs. Her passion for education led her to the Discovery Center, where she is excited to educate children about the importance of protecting our natural resources and inspire them to love being outdoors and in nature!

Emily Gallego 

Emily is a San Diego native, with a deep love for the environment and education. She is currently a student at Cal State San Marcos majoring in Liberal Studies and minoring in Spanish, with the hopes of continuing her career in education. Teaching at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon has completely changed the way that she looks at education and is entirely grateful for the opportunity to be an Environmental Stewardship Teacher. Being able to educate students outdoors with hands-on activities is a privilege that Emily is excited to be a part of!

 

Mariela De Leon 

Mariela has grown up in Escondido CA all her life and her love for animals has developed since a young age. She will be getting her B.A in Human Development and will pursue for graduate school to get her license in becoming an occupational therapist. She’s wanted to expand her experience working with kids and she has volunteered at Farr elementary in high school. She loved the bonds she has created over time with the children, she also loves teaching them new things like how to write and spell out their own names. She has been an intern since late August and she loved how Agua Hedionda is a place not only about nature but how to care about the different animals there. She loves how this location teaches children at a young age the importance of taking care of the animals as well as the environment they live in. Her passion for teaching children will pair well with her future career and it is what drew her to AHLF Discovery Center! 

Paris Ramirez

Ms. Paris is studying Environmental Systems and Earth Sciences with a minor in Sustainability at the University of California San Diego. She hopes to one day work on restoring and rehabilitating our wetlands! She loves teaching at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation because she has the opportunity to educate children in nature about very important environmental topics. Paris grew up in Orange County and enjoys surfing, hiking, walking her dog Cruz and rock climbing.

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