Tree Frog Summer Camps
2026 Summer Nature Camps for Ages 5 - 7*
“Winter will pass, the days will lengthen, the ice will melt in the pasture pond. The song sparrow will return and sing, the frogs will awake, the warm wind will blow again. All these sights and sounds and smells will be yours to enjoy, Wilbur—this lovely world, these precious days…”
Across six weeks of Tree Frogs Camp, children dive into four playful nature themes—building with mud and natural materials, exploring magical worlds in the forest, hiking and adventuring on the trail, and crafting with treasures from the land. Families can join us for the full series or pick the weeks that match their child’s curiosity. Each day brings hands-on exploration, imaginative play, and time to discover their place in the natural world. We keep our mentor-to-child ratio small so campers can build strong connections with peers and mentors, and though parent participation is welcome, it’s never required.
Tree Frog Camp Info:
Days: Monday - Friday
Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuition: $455/Week
Location: El Chorro Regional Park and SLO Botanical Gardens
Camps fill up fast. Don't miss out!
*Younger students with prior camp experience may be considered for Tree Frog Camp with mentor approval. Please contact info@outsidenow.org with your request.
Earth Builders
June 08 - June 12, 2026
Ages: 5 - 7
Is playing with mud, sticks, and nature treasures something your child loves to do? At Earth Builders we will focus on the timeless childhood passion of building whatever we can imagine from whatever we find! Our mentors will playfully share with campers new ways of natural building, such as mixing mud, sand, and straw to make cob for creating little earthen structures. This camp is for young ones who aren’t afraid to get themselves muddy! (If your child likes to play with legos, this camp is probably for them, as well!) This is a week of imagining and creating with the natural building blocks that the land provides.
Gnome Homes and Fairy Forts
June 29 - July 3, 2026
July 20 - July 24, 2026
Ages: 5 - 7
Does your child love to imagine magical, mystical creatures and features in nature? At Gnome Homes and Fairy Forts our mentor team will focus on the enchanted journey that the bringing together of childhood imagination and elements in nature bring. This is a camp that aims to affirm and validate the deepest feelings and intuitions that children have about the natural world, providing a space for the imagination to spread its wings, grow, and connect with the plants, trees, birds, and other critters we may encounter during our camp week.
Into the Wild
July 6 - July 10, 2026
Ages: 5 - 7
Is your child bursting with energy, needing to get out and explore? Into the Wild is for those children who need to move their bodies! Each day we will put on our backpacks and take to the trail on hiking adventures that can involve playing in creeks, climbing trees, testing our strength on the trail challenges, and playing lots of fun games! This camp provides safe and appropriate challenges for those young ones who need to move and test their ability to fully explore a variety of natural settings.
Wildcraft
July 13 - July 17, 2026
July 27 - July 31, 2026
Ages: 5 - 7
Time to get crafty! Did you know that just about anything we find in nature can be used to make something beautiful, useful, whimsical, and more? During Wildcraft week, campers are invited to imagine and engage with the natural materials we find for crafting. At this year’s Wildcraft camp, we will learn more about the plant life in our environment and use plant materials in our craft projects. Our experienced mentor team will provide Wildcraft campers with crafting ideas and skills that are developmentally appropriate for each child, so everyone feels empowered to be creative and express themselves! We will take home our creative keepsakes to remember our summer of crafting with friends in nature.