Giving Back

Outdoor Education Center is Now Growing

New 187-tree citrus grove is part of Ranch Camp program to educate today's youth on the importance of agricultural science while honoring Orange County's past

ORANGE, Calif. -July 24, 2008 - The Outdoor Education Center, a one-of-a-kind themed learning facility, today announced the planting of a working citrus grove as part of the Ranch Camp. The grove features a wide range of citrus-bearing trees, including some varieties that were grown historically in the Orange County area. This new addition will be an integral part of the Ranch Camp program designed to educate participants on the general importance of agriculture in our society and its specific impact on Orange County development.

The Orange Grove project was designed and funded by the Griffith family who have raised their families and done business in Orange and its neighboring counties since 1938. Most of the trees were donated by TreeSource Citrus Nursery and their industry partners Young's Nursery of Coachella Valley, Willits- Newcomb Nursery of Arvin, and Durling Nursery of Fallbrook. Employees, family members and management of Griffith Bros, Suntreat Packing & Shipping Co., and TreeSource Citrus Nursery participated in the planting of these trees and the installation of the irrigation systems, in addition to scores of local volunteers from church groups and the Canyons District, with former Canyons District Chairman, Rick Christensen overseeing the project.