Painted Rock Art & Science Camp
The first-ever Painted Rock Art & Science Camp was held on the Carrizo Plain National Monument from May 23–26, 2025—and it was a great success!
This remote and wild landscape, home to roaming tule elk herds, soaring eagles and falcons, and ancient rock paintings, set the perfect stage for four days of exploration. At night, campers gathered around the fire circle to sing and dance, accompanied by the distant calls of coyotes.
Nearly twenty 5th- and 6th-grade students from the Central Coast traveled by bus to the Carrizo and spent 3½ days exploring and learning. Their field trips included lessons on geology (with a visit to the San Andreas Fault), wildlife, cultural resource preservation, and Chumash culture. Campers stayed at the rustic Old Washburn Ranch House and participated in regular journaling activities—recording observations, asking questions, and reflecting on their experiences.
Throughout camp, students listened to traditional Chumash Coyote stories featuring Lizard, Hawk, Frog, and other animal and supernatural characters. On the final day, each camper created original artwork and storytelling pieces to tie together everything they had learned. Members of the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation played key roles in the success of this youth camp: Elder Slo’w Guiterrez (with spouse Bonnie Williamson) and John Khus, shared teachings on Chumash art and culture. Ernie Houston (B.S. in Geology, CBCN membership pending) taught about geological formations and was later joined by Dr. David Chipping, renowned Cal Poly SLO geology professor, for a field visit to the San Andreas Fault. Camp Director Michael Khus-Zarate led sessions on Chumash storytelling, songs, and dance.
The camp was made possible through the support of the Bureau of Land Management, which provided staff, instructors, and use of the Washburn Ranch facility. It was also endorsed by the monument’s Native American Advisory Council, with additional support from Kern County Schools, which provided transportation, counselors, and a cook from the acclaimed outdoor science program, Camp KEEP.
The camp was a collaboration between Momoy Art & Education Circle (Northern Chumash Bear Clan) and the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, which secured an Inter-Tribal Knowledge & Resource Sharing grant from the California Energy Commission. Additional support came from Friends of the Carrizo Plain, which provided funding to cover costs beyond the scope of the CEC grant.
"Snilimun (Sky Coyote) hunts 'Enememe (Lizard) under the setting Summer Solstice Sun at Painted Rock on the Carrizo Plain." T-shirt design for the camp by John Khus.
