Children’s Nature Retreat in Alpine Takes a Page From Noah’s Ark

By Eva Trieger

ALPINE, California — While archaeologists largely agree that Noah’s Ark found its final resting place on Mount Ararat in Turkey, I beg to differ. I have, with my own eyes, seen evidence that makes me believe the ark came to rest right here in Alpine, California, less than an hour east of San Diego.

Last month I had the delightful experience of visiting the Children’s Nature Retreat, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and their families.

The brainchild of Agnes Barralet, The Children’s Nature Retreat Foundation was created about ten years ago. Barralet sits on the board of a charter school in West Africa. The school was formed in 2012 and originally enrolled 36 children in their pre-K. The school in Burkina Faso is committed to helping children aged preschool through high school gain access to an education. Since its inception, Barralet and donors have awarded 40 scholarships annually enabling teens to achieve their dreams of becoming nurses, teachers, and engineers. The families also gained support from the group. One major point of emphasis is teaching French to the students, many of whom speak some 70 dialects, placing them at a disadvantage for learning with facility. Today, the school has reached maximum capacity with 161 students.

Growing up surrounded by animals, Barralet learned of a woman who was relocating from Riverside, California. She owned a small zoo, but could not take her animals with her. Barralet took as many as possible, and having located a twenty-acre spread, began creating enclosures for the animals. Those fortunate early arrivals included two mules, two miniature donkeys, a swan, a zebra, two camels, two horses, and many goats. As word got out of this oasis in Alpine, many sought out the beautiful sanctuary to rehome their pets. In the first year, 80 animals arrived. Cows, ducks, and chickens strolled the land. During the pandemic, the number of animals swelled to 220.

With the constant arrival of exotic and domestic animals, the need for hiring caring and committed people also grew. The staff is comprised of special, devoted individuals who are unafraid of hard work. Of course, as a nonprofit, they are not well remunerated but are compassionate with animals and visitors and passionate about this powerfully healing Garden of Eden. These caregivers learn from the 30+ species of animals at the retreat while providing nurturance and maintenance.

Schoolchildren and camp groups benefit from visiting the farm, where they are able to learn about the animals and enter the enclosures to have personal encounters with the several. The exchange is very therapeutic and helps children develop a deeper connection to nature while modeling respect and mindfulness. The pace and aura of the retreat are peaceful, relaxed, and appropriate for all guests. The animals are particularly receptive to children who demonstrate neurodiverse behaviors and the director told me that the alpaca, pig, and chicken have shown an affinity for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Barralet’s affection and connection to the animals is profound, as is her commitment to the students and families of Burkina Faso. A visit to this unique and enchanting spot is richly rewarding. The opportunities to support the Farm and the Foundation are plentiful. The Children’s Nature Retreat Foundation is open to visitors daily except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Annual memberships are available and symbolic animal adoptions all benefit this unusual and worthwhile cause. Have a gander at the website: https://childrensnatureretreat.org/