Alameda, CA, USA
Children spend their days exploring Alameda’s outdoor spaces through nature study, hands-on projects, games, and shared challenges. The program is designed for ages 6–12 and uses two outdoor home bases: Krusi Homestead and the R.E.A.P. Climate Center. From those locations, groups walk to nearby natural areas and investigate plants, wildlife, food systems, and the history of the region. Camp runs outside in changing weather, so children are encouraged to arrive ready to get wet, dirty, and actively involved.
Activities combine daily nature excursions with work at a micro-homestead. Campers may identify plants, forage for wild foods, observe wildlife, care for animals, garden, explore permaculture, build with tools, make crafts, and play nature games. Summer themes can also include Water Week, Survival Skills, Bike the Island, Urban Farming, and Outdoor Cooking. Projects are collaborative and give different age groups chances to solve problems, create, and learn together.
Summer and holiday camps use a full-day format, while ongoing clubs meet after school. The organization publishes small-group supervision targets that vary by program. Families receive practical guidance about clothing, water, snacks, weather gear, illness, air quality, pickup, and transportation options. The overall experience is active, local, and centered on learning through direct contact with the natural world.
| Ages: | 6–12 |
| Type: | Day |
| Gender: | Co-Ed |
| Setting: | City |
| Sports: | Sports, Cycling, Bicycle |
| Water: | Water |
| Adventure: | Adventure, Exploration, Outdoor, Nature, Animals, Farming, Wildlife, Tactical Skills, Survival |
| Academics: | Academics, Science, Ecology, Career, Culinary |
| Arts: | Arts, Fine Arts, Arts & Crafts |
| Time: | 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM |
| Staff to Сamper Ratio: | 1:6 |
You won’t be charged yet. The camp will contact you to confirm all terms first.
You can still submit a quick request to let the camp know you’re interested.
The program blends guided nature excursions, homestead learning, practical projects, and group play. Children leave the home base to explore nearby outdoor areas, where they can observe wildlife, identify plants, forage, and learn about the region’s natural and human history. At the micro-homestead, campers work with animals, gardens, and permaculture ideas. Carpentry and craft projects add opportunities to use tools, plan, solve problems, and create alongside children of different ages.
Offerings change with the season and school calendar. Summer camps run for a week in a full-day format and use special themes such as Water Week, Survival Skills, Bike the Island, Urban Farming, and Outdoor Cooking. Holiday camps provide four full days during selected school breaks. Ongoing weekly clubs meet after school, with activities changing seasonally. Some after-school groups can use walking or van pickup from designated Alameda schools.
All activities take place outdoors, rain or shine, and groups may travel within reasonable walking distance of the two program sites. Families are asked to prepare children for active outdoor days with suitable clothing, comfortable shoes, water, snacks, and seasonal gear. The camp supplies the tools needed for planned daily activities.
Families are advised to send each child with a water bottle and snacks for the day.
Activities are held outdoors, rain or shine, and the camp asks families to keep children home when anyone in the household has cold- or flu-like symptoms. After-school groups are organized in pods of eight children with one adult instructor per pod. The organization states a target child-to-teacher ratio between 4:1 for summer and holiday programs and 8:1 for after-school clubs.
Families are notified of a COVID exposure for awareness and next steps. The camp monitors air quality during fire season and may cancel outdoor activities when conditions reach the “Very Unhealthy” level, with a refund or future credit described in the policy. Children should wear comfortable shoes and clothes suited to outdoor conditions.
Families are asked to keep children home when household members have fever, sore throat, heavy runny nose, aches, or other cold- or flu-like symptoms. The camp says families will be notified of a COVID exposure for awareness and follow-up. During fire season, staff monitor air quality and may cancel outdoor activities when conditions are rated “Very Unhealthy.”
Programs are led by educators with backgrounds that include outdoor education, environmental studies, ecology, biology, child development, art, permaculture, farming, gardening, and summer camp. The founders describe the program as a place for children to connect with one another and with the natural world through hands-on experiences. Staff biographies also highlight formal study and practical experience in wildlife education, nature-based mentoring, storytelling, crafts, hiking, biking, cooking, and land stewardship. Group supervision targets vary by program format.
Families receive the exact Krusi Homestead meeting address before the program begins. The camp asks parents or guardians to call or text when pickup will be late and states that families will be notified of a COVID exposure. Families can also join the camp’s email notification list for upcoming offerings and contact the organization about school pickup or registration questions.
Programs operate from two outdoor Alameda locations. Activities may travel within reasonable walking distance of each site, so campers should wear comfortable shoes and clothes that can get wet or dirty. Families are advised to pack a backpack, water bottle, snacks, and seasonal items such as extra layers, rain gear, or sunscreen. Some after-school groups offer walking pickup or van transportation from designated Alameda schools. Holiday camps run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM with extended care until 4:00 PM. A five-minute pickup grace period is published; late fees begin after that period.
A 10% sibling discount applies to registrations. Limited need-based scholarships may cover up to 50% of registration costs for eligible families. Withdrawal refunds may be prorated when a waitlisted child fills the open place.
