What's Happening at the Rancho?
The Rancho is Temporarily
Closed for Winter

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Preston and his pony friends got all dressed up for a pony parade during the Cool Crafts pickups on 12/12/20.
Rancho Los Alamitos is hopeful that we will be able to
reopen as planned on
Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

As with everything this year, this is a tentative plan.

We will continue to follow government safety guidelines for museums to protect the health and wellbeing of our volunteers, staff, and visitors.

We will communicate volunteer updates and provide virtual opportunities for volunteer enrichment in the coming weeks. Be sure to check for Volgistics emails and Meanwhile Back at the Ranch e-news bulletins for updated information. You can also check our website for details: rancholosalamitos.org.
 
Essential staff and some volunteers may continue to work on-site maintenance, and within the COVID-19 regulations.

Thank you for your continued support!

We wish you health and happiness for
the Holiday Season and in the New Year!
Rancho staff and livestock handlers channeling our best volunteer spirit to welcome families to the adapted "Drive-thru" Cool Crafts for the Holidays on December 12.
The Aloe Hedge is Ablaze with Winter Blooms!
The Rancho's Historic Gardens are showing
their dramatic winter color!
Get Involved
Volunteer Opportunities
Help us UNdecorate the Rancho!

What goes up, must come down,
so we'll be taking down our holiday decorations on
Monday, January 4 and
Tuesday, January 5,
between 10-1 and 1-4
Help us clean up our membership roster! 

We recently updated our Membership and Donor management computer system, and we’re experiencing some growing pains (you may have noticed). If you have questions about your membership status please contact us, and if you know your membership has expired, please renew online: https://www.rancholosalamitos.org/join.html
  • If you receive any unusual emails from our automated systems, please forward them to us so we can fix the glitches.
  • You can reach Merinelle and Elena at development@rancholosalamitos.org

Thank you for your helpfulness and feedback!
During COVID-19 closures and over the winter holiday break, Garden Volunteers (including Tuesdays and Container Plant Waterers) may continue volunteering under strict protocols, as they do not interact with the public. As always, we appreciate your
self-care practices and understand if you wish to remain safer at home.

Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns!
Looking Ahead
2021 VSC MEETINGS:
9:30 am Saturday mornings

  • February 20
  • April 17
  • June 19
  • August 21
  • October 16
  • December 18

We will continue to meet virtually via Zoom until it is safe to meet in person again.

Please contact Ambyr if you would like to learn more about connecting via Zoom!
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULES are open for
January through March 2021.

All dates are tentative.

Please use VICnet to self-schedule or
email Ambyr to sign up for a shift
in the new year.

We will reopen outdoor spaces to guests as soon as possible and notify you when the Rancho plans to reopen.
VIRTUAL SCHOOL TOURS RESUME
Following our successful pilot program this November and December,
virtual school tours for fourth-grade classes will resume in mid-January.
We connected with 584 students from Long Beach and Los Angeles via Zoom this fall,
and we look forward to engaging even more students with California history this spring!
Thank you, School Docents, for making this possible!

In the words of one fourth-grade LBUSD teacher,
"This really helps students with distance learning and makes learning about California history more fun. You made history come to life for my students."
Contact Us
The Rancho has a new phone service!

The new service is expected to be more reliable and prevent the
frequent interruptions we've experienced in the past.

The Main Office number is staying the same.
Please note the new staff extensions below so you can contact us easily after hours.


RLA Office (Mon-Fri, 9-5): (562) 431-3541 or info@rancholosalamitos.org


If you need to cancel a scheduled volunteer shift or have an urgent matter,
please contact the Rancho Office.

Please reach out to Ambyr or Katie with volunteer scheduling or activities inquiries.

If you have livestock questions or concerns, you may contact
the Ranch Office, Ambyr or Katie, or
Livestock and Grounds Manager, Karen Thompson.

Thank you for helping us inspire, educate, and engage our community!