Backpack clad fourth-graders, two or three deep, crowded around three tables in a courtyard at La Purisima Mission Wednesday, straining to see as they waited their turn to grind corn with a “mano and metate” or to mold dough into flat round tortillas - 1820s-style.

Before leaving the area, each child was offered a cooked tortilla to taste.

As one of La Purisima Mission's most popular programs, Student Learning History Days offers fourth-grade classes from throughout California a firsthand look at mission life. La Purisima offers 11 such days throughout the year. Supervising Ranger Theresa Armas said sign-ups for the year start in September and are usually filled by October.

On this day, 16 buses unloaded students from schools in Bakersfield, Culver City, Camarillo, Goleta and Orcutt. Students, with teachers and parents, followed the various mission paths on self-guided tours that took them to docent-lead activities, such as candle-making, weaving, blacksmithing, tortilla-making and games.

Unbeknownst to the students, whose joyful laughter and curious questions were the most prominent feature of the day, was the lurking worry and anger some teachers and parents felt at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's recent proposal to close a number of state parks, including La Purisima.

To help deal with California's $14.5 billion revenue shortfall, Schwarzenegger suggested a $141-billion budget that would cut almost 10 percent of the funding for education and close 48 state parks.

California's fourth-grade curriculum requires a unit on the mission system. As the state's most completely restored mission, La Purisima is run as a living history museum with volunteer docents who recreate mission life.

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During a Student Learning History Day, up to 750 students roam the mission grounds. One popular stop is the Cuartel, or soldiers' quarters, where kids could listen to the historically-clad docent Arthur Carlos talk about the weapons, clothes and living conditions faced by soldiers. One fourth-grader wondered about the pieces of suede tied around Carlos' shins: They protected soldiers from the rough chaparral while riding horses.

Every nook and cranny of the mission, from the fence surrounding the horses and donkeys to the Tule Village where Native American children's games were taught, had lines of children. They swarmed the blacksmith's shop; they lingered beside the weavers; they gathered around the candle makers; they stirred pots of rendered fat to help make soap; they rested beside the fountains under the shade of oak trees; they trekked up the steep, sandy slope to the cross that once was a landmark for travelers.

When it is time to leave, the students all take away a different favorite memory. When asked what they liked best, Ernesto, from Isla Vista School in Goleta said, “It was the blacksmith for me.”

“Everything,” replied Molly Robins, from Echo Horizon School in Culver City.

“Yeah everything,” agreed fellow Echo student, Nick Marks, “But mostly the games.”

While the children enjoyed themselves and learned along the way, the teachers expressed concern about the governor's proposals.

“I think whoever is making this decision doesn't understand how meaningful this is for the kids,” said Nancy Ingraham, who lives in Vandenberg Village but teaches at Isla Vista School. “Our school has been coming for 12 years. The students love it.”

Robin Dalbey, of Rancho Rosal School in Camarillo, said, “I think it's ridiculous. Ridiculous. People come from three and four hours away - it's a one-of-a-kind program. And it's hard to get a reservation.”

Dalbey added, “I've been to many of the missions, including San Diego, and they don't have anything like this.”

Two teachers from Joe Nightingale Elementary School in Orcutt agreed that closing the mission would be a loss to students.

“I'm keeping my fingers crossed,” said Jody Coffey. “It's such a great learning tool. We're so lucky to have this gem here on the Central Coast. The docents do such a great job.”

“It's the best field trip of the year,” agreed Coffey's co-worker Renee Schmid. “There are lots of hands-on things for the kids to do.”

Parent Misty Aguilera, of Orcutt, added that what La Purisima offers is a glimpse into what life was like in the past: “It teaches them to be grateful for what we have now.”

Overhearing the conversation, a couple of boys from Joe Nightingale piped up, “Don't close it.”

Amanda Brooks can be reached at

737-1056 or abrooks@lompocrecord.com.

January 17, 2008