The Bay Area is one of the most beautiful regions in the world, and by participating in Nature Camp, your child will have the chance to experience the wild and urban beauty that surrounds us as well as to grow through enriching outdoor adventures.
Our mission is to inspire children to love and preserve nature while living an eco-friendly life.
For summer 2024, Nature Camp will be offering three sessions at two different levels:
1) Experienced bike riders (rising 4th to rising 8th graders):
Two, one-week sessions will be offered
June 10th to June 14th
June 17th to June 21st
2) Advanced bike riders (rising 5th to rising 8th graders):
Pre-ride with leaders is required or participation in an earlier Nature Camp
One, one-week session will be offered
June 24th to June 28th
Plus, for summer 2024, Nature Camp is offering a special bus trip to Pescadero on Friday, June 21st. This day is part of Nature Camp for week 2 (June 17th to June 21st), but Nature Campers in weeks 1 and 3 may join as well.
All participants should be experienced bike riders with a multi-gear, non-electric bike who love being outdoors and learning about the places, plants, and creatures of the Bay Area.
Please note our drop dates and refund policy: Before March 24th at 8:00 (Full refund); March 24th (75% refunded); May 1st (50% refunded); June 1st (25% refunded): June 10th (no refunds)
Most sessions will begin at South Hillsborough Elementary at 8:30 am and conclude at 3:00 pm, but some adventures will require different starting and ending times. Students will always bring a lunch, snacks, water bottles, a beach towel (or other ground cover to sit on at lunch), their personal safety gear (masks, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, chapstick), their Nature Camp journal, and their Clipper Card (for use on trains and ferries). Nature Camp Educators will have bike locks and first aid equipment.
Students will be provided with a nature journal in which they’ll record the sights of each day, and we’ll also profile famous naturalists or scientists, enabling children to see the positive impact one person can make to protect and preserve the Earth.
We'll post pictures of our activities daily on Instagram (you'll need to request access from @bayareanaturecamp) and we'll also share our daily route with you via the Strava app.
The Nature Camp Educators will again offer a series of biking "tune-up" days on four Wednesdays in May (8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th) and one Tuesday in June (5th) from 3:45 to 5:30 pm in the five weeks preceding the start of Nature Camp. This is an opportunity for students to get their bodies and their bikes fit for summer. Students can sign up at Hillsborough Recreation for the days they'd like to join.
Three seasoned educators and nature enthusiasts will lead Nature Camp's activities in Summer 2024.
Jenelle Graville is a first grade teacher at South Hillsborough Elementary School. She enjoys exploring the biking, hiking and walking trails in our local, state and national parks.
Sally James is the teacher/librarian at South Hillsborough Elementary School. She has spent every summer at a remote cabin in British Columbia--backpacking, hiking, canoeing, biking, swimming, fishing, and creek walking in wild nature.
Perry Kittredge is a sixth and eighth grade math teacher at William H. Crocker Middle School. Perry has been an avid cyclist for his entire life, and he bicycled across the U.S. following his graduation from high school.
All of these educators have noticed that the animals, forests, and habitats they have enjoyed over their lives are changing. They want to share their love and knowledge of nature with students who will grow up to be stewards of the Earth.