Summer Camps for Learning About the Outdoors

The whole point of camp is to get outdoors, right? These camps focus on the heart of camping — enjoying the great outdoors and learning about the environment. Whether your kid wants to be flung into the wilderness or just get a taste of nature, you should check out these outdoor summer camps in Marin. Looking for something else? We also have seven other lists for Bay Area summer camps.

Adventure | Animals | Backpacking | Environmental Education | Garden | Nature | Recreation

Adventure 

Audubon Summer Adventure Camp

Tiburon

At the Audubon Summer Adventure Camp children build friendships as they explore, investigate and enjoy the great outdoors.

Ages 4–7, 415.388.2524

Avid4 Adventure

Oakland, Menlo Park, Peninsula

Avid4 Adventure summer programs offer day camps, expeditions, and overnight camps that all explore the outdoors in a safe and fun environment. 

Ages 3.5–14, 720.249.2412

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Sausalito

On the bay at Fort Baker, kids can discover nature, the outdoors and the joy of science in groups of their peers. Let their imagination run wild with the hands-on activities and lessons that mix art and discovery at Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Ages 3–8, 415.339.3907

Call of the Sea – Voyage Seaward

Sausalito

Call of the Sea-Voyage Seaward summer programs include sailing camps, science camps, aloft programs and voyages. 

Ages 8–13, 415.331.3214

Camp Ronald McDonald

Sacramento

Camp Ronald McDonald is an accessible, residential program for kids with a variety of medical needs, economic hardship and/or physical, developmental and/or emotional disabilities. 

Ages 7+, 916.734.4230

Camp Unalayee

Palo Alto

Camp Unalayee is a non-profit wilderness camp that provides meaningful outdoor experiences like boating, backpacking, making crafts and more. 

Ages 10–17, 650.969.6313

Catalina Island Camps

Avalon

Catalina Island summer camp offers children the benefits of unplugging and enjoying the great outdoors with a range of activities from ropes courses, kayaking, sailing, gardening, composting, nature, arts and crafts, climbing, and so much more. 

Ages 7–16, 626.296.4040

Gold Arrow Camp

Lakeshore

Golden Arrow camp is a traditional summer camp where kids get to participate in activities like wakeboarding, horseback riding, rock climbing, swimming, and more.

Ages 6–14, 800.554.2267

Dance Palace Camp

Point Reyes Station

Dance Palace Camp offers a diverse cultural education and helps kids develop positive relationships through hands-on activities in the natural world.

Ages 6–12, 415.663.1075

Echo Lake Youth Camp

Echo Lake

This camp is a week-long experience for kids to enjoy the outdoors, have fun, and make friends doing activities like hiking, swimming, archery, arts and crafts, campfires, talent shows, group games, and more. 

Ages 7–14, 510.981.5140, 510.981.6903

Fairfax Cycling Camp

Fairfax

Fun days can be filled with biking through nature while learning safety, skills, and bike maintenance. 

Ages 8+, 415.887.8536

Fantastical Adventures Day Camp

Tiburon

Fantastical Adventures offers camps for your child’s favorite fantasies including Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson, Pokemon, Harry Potter Day and many more.

Ages 5–12, 415.435.4355

Marin GreenPlay Camp

Mill Valley

Marin GreenPlay camps teach kids their “ecological address” through exploring and giving back with native plant restoration projects, beach clean ups, citizen science, and volunteer activities. 

Ages 5–17, 415.264.2828

Marin Horizon Summer Camp

Mill Valley

Marin Horizons

Join us at Marin Horizon’s Summer Camp for a summer of friends, fun, and academics. We have a new and engaging theme each week including: Mighty Explorers (June 20-23), Rainbow Bonanza (June 26-30), Mad Scientists (July 5-7), Dots and Circles (July 10-14), Little Chefs (July 17-21), and Imagination Station (July 24-28). Regular hours are 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Extended care hours are 8:30-9:00 a.m. and 3:00-4:30 p.m. 

Ages 3–7, 415.388.8408

Marinwood Camp

San Rafael

Hiking, swimming, dodgeball, making new friends, scavenger hunts, dress-up days, tug-o-war, crafting, tie-dye, storytelling, creek walks, obstacle courses, sports, waterslides, barbecues, and more. Marinwood’s award-winning summer camp program offers all the outdoor adventure of a stay away camp in a convenient day.

Ages 3–12, 415.479.0775

Ready Set GO Therapy

Various Outdoor Locations in Marin

Ready Set Go Summer Camps

Friendship Explorations offers summer camps and year-round groups with a therapeutic twist! Operated by Ready Set GO Therapy and let by an expert licensed OT or Speech Therapist plus an assistant, our groups include up to 6 children and offer a 3:1 ratio. Our goal is for every child to feel successful and to have fun!

Through a combination of teaching and unstructured play, we address a wide variety of friendship and development skills such as:

  • Sensory processing
  • Emotional regulation
  • Following directions
  • Sequencing
  • Play skills
  • Balance and strength
  • Problem solving
  • Confidence building
  • Independence”

Ages 4–16, 415-339-8800

River Way Ranch Camp 

Greater Bay Area, Fresno, Yosemite 

The River Way Ranch Camp offers a sleep away summer program with recreational and learning opportunities from culinary arts, ropes challenge course, film production, dance, horseback riding, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, waterskiing, wave runners and so much more. 

Ages 7–16, 559.787.2551

Tahoe Rim Trail Association Youth Backcountry Camp

Stateline

On the Tahoe Rim Trail Association Youth Backcountry experience campers observe local wildlife, swim, cook over small camping stoves and more in beautiful lake Tahoe.

Ages 12-17, 775.298.4485

Tiburon Adventure Camp 

Tiburon

Kids in pool Tiburon Adventure camp

Be part of the fun this summer at the Tiburon Adventure Camp! We will be hosting a variety of summer time activities to beat the heat in a fun interactive environment. Events will be tailored around weekly themes to captivate interest and keep the good times going. Highlights include swimming, movies, field trips, and special events!

Ages 2–8, 415.435.4366

Animals

River Way Ranch Camp 

Greater Bay Area, Fresno, Yosemite 

The River Way Ranch Camp offers a sleep away summer program with recreational and learning opportunities from culinary arts, ropes challenge course, film production, dance, horseback riding, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, waterskiing, wave runners and so much more. 

Ages 7–16, 559.787.2551

Wildlife Camp at WildCare

San Rafael

Wildlife Camp provides children with a unique wildlife experience including live animal visits from rescued wildlife ambassadors, animal themed games, nature excursions, nature crafts and more.

Ages 4–11, 415.453.1000

Backpacking 

Tahoe Summer Camps

Truckee

Tahoe Summer Camps, based in Lake Tahoe and Truckee, offer programs for adventurers, blacksmiths, sailors, engineers, scientists, artists and more. 

Ages 4–14, 530.414.9316

Environmental Education

Branson Summer

Ross

Branson is located on 17 acres nestled in a small valley in the heart of Marin County. Summer programs use the full campus for experimentation, exploration and inspiration.

Ages 11–18, 415.454.3612

Camp Chrysalis

Berkeley

At Camp Chrysalis kids get to explore the natural environments of California like the redwoods, tidepools, marshes and mountains. 

Ages 8–17, 510.843.6157

Garden

Art and Garden Day Camp

Tiburon

Art, Garden, Outdoor, 

Ages 4–8, 415.435.4355

Slide Ranch

Muir Beach

Slide Ranch summer camps offer nature connection and safety with unique hands-dirty opportunities for experiential learning, growing and fun on a working ranch. 

Ages 5–18, 415.381.6155

Terra Marin School

Mill Valley

Two kids on rock in the forest, part of a Marin adventure camp with Terra Marin School

The Terra Marin School summer programs have a variety of camps including earth discovery, mandarin mania, and spanish earth immersion. 

Earth Discovery: Adventure through forests and coastland. Track animals. Learn ancestral skills. Use a bow and arrow. Hike, run and roam.  

Terra Marin’s language immersion programs include camps in Spanish and Mandarin. Your child will learn culture and language through activities, games and stories — all conducted in a new language!

Ages 3–8, 415.906.2220

Nature

Angel Island Day Camp

Tiburon

Angel Island Day Camp offers a wide variety of outdoor activities from fishing, hiking, and more on Angel Island. 

Ages 6–13, 415.435.4355, ext. 1000

Audubon Summer Adventure Camp

Tiburon

At the Audubon Summer Adventure Camp children build friendships as they explore, investigate and enjoy the great outdoors.

Ages 4–7, 415.388.2524

Avid4 Adventure

Oakland, Menlo Park, Peninsula

Avid4 Adventure summer programs offer day camps, expeditions, and overnight camps that all explore the outdoors in a safe and fun environment. 

Ages 3.5–14, 720.249.2412

Bay Area Discovery Museum

Sausalito

On the bay at Fort Baker, kids can discover nature, the outdoors and the joy of science in groups of their peers. Let their imagination run wild with the hands-on activities and lessons that mix art and discovery at Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Ages 3–8, 415.339.3907

Call of the Sea – Voyage Seaward

Sausalito

Call of the Sea-Voyage Seaward summer programs include sailing camps, science camps, aloft programs and voyages. 

Ages 8–13, 415.331.3214

Camp Chrysalis

Berkeley

At Camp Chrysalis kids get to explore the natural environments of California like the redwoods, tidepools, marshes and mountains. 

Ages 8–17, 510.843.6157

Coastal Camp at NatureBridge

Sausalito

At Coastal Camp kids explore topics like marine biology, coastal ecology, conservation and cultural history while enjoying the beautiful Marin Headlands. 

Ages 5–14, K–12 415.331.1548

Marin GreenPlay Camp

Mill Valley

Marin GreenPlay camps teach kids their “ecological address” through exploring and giving back with native plant restoration projects, beach clean ups, citizen science, and volunteer activities. 

Ages 5-17, 415.264.2828

Marin Horizon Outdoor Adventures Camp

Mill Valley

Outdoor Adventures Camp provides a safe and supportive environment for kids to develop an appreciation and sense of stewardship for the natural world with expert instruction. 

Ages 3-7, 415.388.8408

Marin Treks Science Camp

Novato

Marin Treks summer adventure camps offer a variety of fun programs that focus on natural history while exploring the tidepools, beaches, forests, and other natural wonders of Marin. 

Ages 6–11, 415.250.0988

River Way Ranch Camp 

Greater Bay Area, Fresno, Yosemite 

The River Way Ranch Camp offers a sleep away summer program with recreational and learning opportunities from culinary arts, ropes challenge course, film production, dance, horseback riding, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, waterskiing, wave runners and so much more. 

Ages 7–16, 559.787.2551

Rock Five and Rock Beyond: Outdoor Rock Climbing at Marin GreenPlay Camp

Mill Valley

At Marin GreenPlay Camp, kids learn outdoor rock climbing from AMGA certified climbing guides on all of the Bay Area’s best crags and in Tahoe.

Ages 7–18, 415.264.2828

Slide Ranch

Muir Beach

Slide Ranch summer camps offer nature connection and safety with unique hands-dirty opportunities for experiential learning, growing and fun on a working ranch. 

Ages 5–18, 415.381.6155

Spaulding Marine Center 

Sausalito 

Our camps are week-long day camps that start and end at the Spaulding Marine Center. Campers will learn how to sail, practice seamanship and stewardship within Richardson Bay, and spend time learning to work with tools in our woodshop. Activities include kayaking, sailing, local field trips, knot tying, woodworking, and group games.

When: 6 sessions total with the first session beginning June 12th. The last session will begin July 24th. There will not be a session the week of July 4th. Sessions later in the summer will be catered towards more advanced/older campers.

Who: Kids ages 8-15, with a maximum of 12 kids per session.

Cost: $650/camper with scholarships available
Ages 11-15, 415.332.3179, [email protected]

Terra Marin School

Mill Valley

The Terra Marin School summer programs have a variety of camps including earth discovery, Mandarin mania, and Spanish earth immersion.

Earth Discovery: Adventure through forests and coastland. Track animals. Learn ancestral skills. Use a bow and arrow. Hike, run and roam.  

Terra Marin’s language immersion programs include camps in Spanish and Mandarin. Your child will learn culture and language through activities, games and stories — all conducted in a new language!

Ages 3–8, 415.906.2220

Wildlife Camp at WildCare

San Rafael

Wildlife Camp provides children with a unique wildlife experience including live animal visits from rescued wildlife ambassadors, animal themed games, nature excursions, nature crafts and more.

Ages 4–11, 415.453.1000

Y Camp

Novato (Lu Sutton Elementary), San Anselmo (Wade Thomas Elementary)

Y Summer Camps offer full day programs that include STEAM, outdoor education, art, and recreation activities led by the youth and staff. 

Ages 6–14, 415.662.1099

Camp Concord

South Lake Tahoe

At Camp Concord sleepaway camp, kids enjoy traditional camping activities like canoeing, kayaking, crawdad fishing, hiking, swimming, volleyball, arts and crafts, archery, camp fires under the starry night sky and more in the beautiful Lake Tahoe Outdoors. 

Ages 9–14, 925.671.3006

Camp Ocean Pines

Cambria

Camp Ocean Pines summer program is a traditional camping experience that’s technology free and based on the three main goals for every camper: connect, explore, and grow in the great outdoors. 

Ages 7–16, 805.927.0254

Camp Ronald McDonald

Sacramento

Camp Ronald McDonald is an accessible, residential program for kids with a variety of medical needs, economic hardship and/or physical, developmental and/or emotional disabilities. 

Ages 7+, 916.734.4230

Camp Unalayee

Palo Alto

Camp Unalayee is a non-profit wilderness camp that provides meaningful outdoor experiences like boating, backpacking, making crafts and more. 

Ages 10–17, 650.969.6313

Camp Wasiu II

Sierra City

The Girl Scout Camp Wasiu II offers outdoor activities like archery, forest hikes, swimming and more while allowing girls to develop a strong sense of self and positive values, build healthy relationships, seek challenges, and have fun. 

Ages 5–17, 775.322.0642

Chabad Jewish Center of Novato

Novato

Camp Gan Israel is a summer program that includes field trips, swimming, sports, and crafts in Marin County and is built with innovative ideas and creative programs in a warm and vivacious environment. 

Ages 3–13, 415.878.6770

Plantation Farm Camp

Cazadero

Farm camp is a traditional, coed overnight summer experience on a real working farm. Campers work to create a fun and safe environment that encourages independence and building long lasting friendships. 

Ages 8–17, 707.847.3494

Skylake Yosemite Camp

Yosemite

Skylake summer camp is a classic sleepaway camp experience where kids get to develop interests and skills, experience personal growth, build friendships, develop confidence, and create happy memories while exploring the beautiful Yosemite outdoors

Ages 7–13, 559.642.3720

Tahoe Rim Trail Association Youth Backcountry Camp

Stateline

On the Tahoe Rim Trail Association Youth Backcountry experience campers observe local wildlife, swim, cook over small camping stoves and more in beautiful lake Tahoe.

Ages 12–17, 775.298.4485

Walker Creek Ranch

Petaluma

The Walker Creek Ranch summer programs led by naturalists are centered around outdoor education and allow campers to connect with the land, each other, and science. .

Ages 9–14, 415.491.6600

Recreation 

Camp Strawberry

Strawberry Recreation District

At Camp Strawberry children get to explore a variety of interests, make new friends, with daily activities that balance creative and athletic opportunities. 

Ages 5–11, 415.383.6494

Mill Valley Recreation Summer Camps 

Mill Valley

The Mill Valley Recreation summer camp program offers splash/day camps, art, theater, sports, wellness, counselor in training (CIT), adaptive Needs and more. 

Ages 3–14, 415.383.1370

River Way Ranch Camp 

Greater Bay Area, Fresno, Yosemite 

The River Way Ranch Camp offers a sleep away summer program with recreational and learning opportunities from culinary arts, ropes challenge course, film production, dance, horseback riding, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, waterskiing, wave runners and so much more. 

Ages 7–17, 559.787.2551

Ross Recreation

Ross

The department of recreation in Ross has a wide range of summer camps from sporty girls, gone fishin’, top gun, hoops, chess, yoga, lego, nature adventures and more. 

Ages 3–15, 415.453.6020

San Anselmo Recreation Department Camps

San Anselmo

The San Anselmo Recreation Department offers an assortment of summer camps including dance camps, sewing camps, sport camps, chess camps, theater camps, counselors in training programs and more. 

Ages 3+, 415.258.4640

Steve and Kate’s Camp

Corte Madera, Santa Rosa

At Steve and Kate’s Camp kids choose from a variety of activities including sewing, stop-motion animation, music, sports and recreation, makers crafts, bread making, and more.

Ages 4–12, 415.604.0078

Summer Rocks! at The Gravity Vault Marin

San Rafael

At Summer Rocks summer camp, children improve their climbing, learn new skills, and build memories as well as enjoy games, yoga, slacklining, viewing climbing films, and more. 

Ages 6–12, 415.472.9344

Tiburon Adventure Camp 

Tiburon

Be part of the fun this summer at the Tiburon Adventure Camp! We will be hosting a variety of summer time activities to beat the heat in a fun interactive environment. Events will be tailored around weekly themes to captivate interest and keep the good times going. Highlights include swimming, movies, field trips, and special events!

Ages 2–8, 415.435.4366

Y Camp

Novato (Lu Sutton Elementary), San Anselmo (Wade Thomas Elementary)

Y Summer Camps offer full day programs that include STEAM, outdoor education, art, and recreation activities led by the youth and staff. 

Ages 6–14, 415.492.9622