Orange County Blog

Special Event: Weekend at the Nix Center, Native American Toys and Games

First, a little history about this beautiful region…The Native Americans of the Orange County region call themselves the Acjachemen (A-ha-che-men) Nation. For more than 10,000 years, they lived a prosperous lifestyle on the coastlands of Orange County. They were among the over 250,000 people that inhabited California before Spanish contact. At one point in history, their nation’s territory consisted of numerous villages, and spanned from Long Beach to Oceanside, as far east as Lake Elsinore, and westward to Catalina and San Clemente Islands.

“Join OC Parks and the Laguna Canyon Foundation on Saturday, November 12th from 1:00pm-4:00pm for a special Weekend at the Nix Nature Center - American Indian Stories, Toys and Games. Join the talented Acjachemen performer, Jacque Nunez, as she transports you into the traditions of the Acjachemen people - and into the world of our shared past.

Make your own American Indian toys and games to take home - or to give as gifts for the holidays! This amazing event will be fun for the entire family. Space is limited. For more information and to sign up www.lagunacanyon.org.
The Laguna Canyon Foundation is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, enhancing, and promoting the South Coast Wilderness Area. This 20,000-acre area of includes Laguna Coast and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Parks, Crystal Cove State Park, and the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve. We work to Keep It Wild!

The Laguna Canyon Foundation fulfills its mission by managing and supporting park volunteers in Laguna Coast and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Parks, providing educational and recreational programs and activities, coordinating land acquisitions, coordinating habitat restoration programs, and providing supplemental funding to our partner parks.” www.lagunacanyon.org

A visit to OC is not complete without exploring the only mission in Orange County.First, take a look at an overview as taken from http://www.missionsjc.com

“Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic landmark and museum is the Birthplace of Orange County, was founded more than two hundred years ago as the 7th of 21 missions statewide, and one with a chapel still standing where Fr. Serra once celebrated Mass.

Today it is a monument to California's multi-cultural history, embracing its Native American, Spanish, Mexican and European heritage. Originally built as a self sufficient community by Spanish Padres and Native Americans, the Mission was a center for agriculture, industry, education and religion”.

Activities at the Mission are designed to be family friendly and budget conscious.  Experience history and culture with audio tours, tour booklets, exhibits, and historical re-enactments.  Museum exhibits are located in both museum rooms as well as throughout the 10-acres of gardens, fountains and beautifully preserved architecture. There are weekly activities just for the kids, summer camp programs, as well as signature events taking place during the summer. Such events include:
Music Under the Stars
Summer concert series of evening concerts beginning Saturday, June 25, 2011 continuing on alternating weekends through Saturday, September 3, 2011. Concert gates open at 5:30 p.m.; Music begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m.
Beginning June 25, 2011
Night at the Mission Camping
Adventurous family sleepover that includes touring the museum rooms and grounds at night, activities, dinner and breakfast the next morning.
July 15, 2011
Romance of the Mission Benefit Gala Concert and Dinner
The most exclusive gala benefit hosted in Orange County every year. Features a pre-show hosted reception, extravagant entertainment in the Great Stone Church and the most romantic dinner setting display. Underwriting opportunities available.
Friday, September 16, 2011

Ready to plan your visit to this “Jewel of the Missions”?  Check out the Cultural Centers Quick Link located on the home page of this Orange County Resource Guide.