“The annual Summit for the Planet connects the MMS school community with local area organizations and businesses supporting the environment and teaching young people the importance of stewardship. The walk-a-thon is a way for our school to raise funds and awareness, and a day of play and fun for familiesRead More …

Place a marble in the chute and watch it speed along the highs, lows, twists and turns of themed, model rollercoasters! Stand trackside for the team-built solar car races! See customized, scale-model tiny homes and blueprints; or catch the “catwalk,” as young designers model original clothing made from recycled packaging,Read More …

A place where classrooms are steps away from fields sprouting wildflowers, trails for walking, and woods resplendent with trees; where awe for wild creatures is encouraged; where great respect for the environment is fostered; where children and adults together practice responsible citizenship; where home family and school family harmoniously nurtureRead More …

Garbed in costume-like fashions made from colorful plastic packaging, assorted paper products, re-purposed fabric and more, about a dozen children strutted confidently across the stage during last year’s Summit for the Planet “Trash Fashion” show. The show was a culmination of weeks of gathering recycled materials and designing wearable garmentsRead More …

By Maddie Erbe, grade 6 For all Mount Madonna school students, Summit for the planet is a special occasion. Students, parents and staff alike look forward to the event which is a celebration for Earth Day. The event begins with a 5K walk-a-thon through the redwood forest, followed by funRead More …

By Connor Murphy, grade 8 Nestled in the beautiful redwoods and arching madrones near Mt. Madonna Park, you find the campus of Mount Madonna School, a private school serving students from preschool through twelfth grade. The school is also host to an annual event, Summit for the Planet, a festivalRead More …

By Addy Catterall-Pendleton, grade 6 The best thing about Summit for the Planet is that it’s a whole community showing up. Everyone you know, including parents, friends and teachers, come up and walk or run together. My favorite memory is running with my friends around the trail. It’s great toRead More …

Mount Madonna teacher Nick Cabassa’s fourth grade students interviewed MMS fifth grade teacher Jessica Cambell, a founding member of the school’s Summit for the Planet planning committee. Students: What is Summit for the Planet? Cambell: Summit for the Planet is a combination of two things, a festival to celebrate theRead More …

Naturalist and wilderness advocate, John Muir, tells us: “Everybody needs beauty… places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.” Many have found this sentiment to be true and Mount Madonna School (MMS), now in its 37thRead More …

By Ralph W. Schardt, former Executive Director, Michael Lee Environmental Foundation The Michael Lee Environmental Foundation (MLEF) was originally introduced to Mount Madonna School (MMS) through the garden coordinator and teacher, Jessica Cambell. MLEF immediately recognized a fit with our mission – to support science-based environmental education. MLEF supported aRead More …

“The annual Summit for the Planet connects the MMS school community with local area organizations and businesses supporting the environment and teaching young people the importance of stewardship,” commented MMS Head of School Mary Supriya McDonald. “The walk-a-thon is a way for our school to raise funds and awareness, andRead More …

Information for participants and volunteers: Event date: April 25, 2020 Check out the Schedule of Events *In case of rain Saturday: the walk-a-thon will run as planned on the beautiful course under the trees in our campus forest. The walk-a-thon award ceremony, eco-carnival activities, trash fashion show, etc. will all beRead More …

Join us for a day of learning and celebration on April 23rd at Mount Madonna School, Watsonville, Ca at the top of the summit of Mount Madonna. See all the vendors, demos and eco-friendly goods for sale at this years Summit for the Planet!

Thank you to the following organizations for their generous 2019 prize donations:       

The Trash Fashion Show displays creative designers’ garments made from recycled materials. Anyone can participate. Gather up that trash and those recyclables and put them into something FABULOUS, then strut your stuff on the stage at the festival! To participate, all you need to do is contact Linda Manzur ([email protected])Read More …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Marketing & Communications   [email protected] Garbed in costume-like fashions made from colorful plastic packaging, aluminum foil, assorted paper products, re-purposed fabric and more, about a dozen children, ages 7 to 17, strutted confidently across the stage during last year’s Summit for the Planet “TrashRead More …

The event is on the Mount Madonna High School campus – 491 Summit Road. There will be parking, but please carpool to reduce the environmental impact! Directions from Watsonville: Take Highway 152 east toward Gilroy. Just past the Mount Madonna Inn, at the top of the mountain, turn left intoRead More …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Media & Public Relations [email protected] Whether you come to walk in support of your favorite environmental or educational organization or the after-party fun – featuring live animals including bats, lizards, birds, snakes and turtles – the upcoming 6th annual Summit for the PlanetRead More …