Adobe Springs Interpretive Program

April 25, 2017

The second annual ASIP led by Director Jonalee Istenes for third-grade students of Atascadero Unified School District was a huge success. The program included docent-led field trips of ALPS’ Adobe Springs property. Begun in 2016, the annual program continued in 2017 with students from several AUSD schools participating on April 25, 26, and May 2. Written comments from students and teachers indicated the program was very well received.

The idea to utilize Adobe Springs for an educational program for students was first suggested when ALPS acquired the property in late 2008. In May 2014, Hale Sargent, Interpretive Specialist with the National Park Service and the Anza National Historical Trail, was in Atascadero to speak about the Anza Expedition. ALPS directors gave Mr. Sargent a tour of Adobe Springs and discussed our ideas for a student educational program with him. Mr. Sargent embraced the idea and subsequently secured a grant to fund the creation of the program. Director Istenes assembled a creative team that included retired teachers, a school curriculum director, a Cal Poly professor, a Cal Poly Senior Project student, field trip docents, and many other contributors. Together the team developed a curriculum that fulfills the local history scholastic requirement. Student field trips covered three main local history topics: Native Americans who lived in the area for centuries; the Anza Expedition in March 1776; and the Estrada Adobe built in 1812. The common element connecting the three topics is water the importance of which became the main theme of the program. The program was published in an impressive, professional document that was adopted for use nationally by the National Park Service. ALPS plans to continue providing the Adobe Springs Interpretive Program annually to AUSD students.