Summer Camps
Choose your adventure! A summer to remember for your child. Peace of mind for you. Adventures await in Marin and San Francisco!
Enroll in 1 to 10 weeks of summer camp and receive up to $325 off your purchase when you sign-up by end of March
SAVE $10 per WEEK
when you sign-up in March
Register today for
our special offer
Who We Are
Our camps reflect our school-wide commitment to seeing and nurturing the individual child.
Our program has always been special. That's why our campers love us, and often return year after year. During the COVID pandemic, we leveled up to provide safety, community, and a "yes" space for children who need these things now more than ever. As things evolve and protocols change, we are still dedicated to providing the safest environment possible for your child.
We are fortunate to host a highly experienced & capable Earth Education, Spanish, and Mandarin team that is top-notch. We have counselors who come back every year to help us create an unparalleled experience for your children. Your child is in exceptional hands.
Shuttle to and from Earth Discovery Camps available!
Aftercare available for all Marin County-based programs!
Marin
Adventure through forests and coastland. Track animals. Learn ancestral skills. Use a bow and arrow. Hike, run and roam.
Explore a new language and have fun experiencing cultural projects, food, and customs.
SPANISH IMMERSION EARTH DISCOVERY (Ages 3-5)
Marin
Adventure through forests and coastland. Learn a new language. Experience art, music, and storytime....in Spanish!
Curriculum
Each day we complete activities related to the following themes such as:
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Earth Studies: topics such as weather, geology, forestry, animal tracking, nature identification, survival skills, bird watching, habitat building, measuring & orienteering!
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Movement: digging, climbing, fort building, log rolling, creating cairns, exploring, nature tag, swinging, moving like animals, hiking & yoga!
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Art: sculpting, sandal making, painting landscapes, leaf rubbings, carving, harvesting pigments, friendship bracelets, nature crafts, story rocks, weaving, sewing & singing!
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Connection: with self, others, and the environment through awareness games, mindfulness activities, journaling, daily reflections, intention setting, mediation & "sit spot"
DAILY Flow
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9:00 am - Drop off at location of the day
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Morning circle - intention setting
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Movement and Earth Studies
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10:30 am - Snack time
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Connection and Art
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12:00 pm - Lunch
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1:00 pm - Half day pick up
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Activities of the day continued
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Hike back to pick up area
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Closing circle - daily reflection
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3:45 pm Pickup in Mill Valley, for Earth Discovery and Spanish Immersion Earth Discovery camps
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3:30-4:30 pm Bus stop drop-offs for SF shuttle takers
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5:30 pm Aftercare pickup in Mill Valley, for Marin camps
Refund Policy: If we need to shut down the camp due to a COVID case within the camp cohort, you will be refunded for the remaining days not attended. If you cancel your registration due to personal reasons more than two weeks (14 days) before the start of the camp, you will receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. If you cancel within 14 days of the start date, no refund will be provided unless the cancellation is COVID-related. If the cancellation is due to COVID, please contact us at camp@terramarin and we will determine the refund on a case by case basis.
Shuttle from San Francisco
now available!
This shuttle is $50/week and leaves aftercare at 5pm.
Sign up during registration!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Mandarin Mania Camp held at Terra Marin School?
A: Yes, Terra Marin School, 70 Lomita Dr, Mill Valley, CA 94941.
Q: Where is Earth Discovery Camp Located in Marin County?
A: In and around Mill Valley, CA. Here is a list of locations McNears Beach Park, China Camp State Park, Phoenix Lake, Blackie's Pasture, Old Mill Park, Tennessee Valley, Rodeo Beach, and Muir Beach.
Q: What is your Refund Policy?
A: If we need to shut down the camp due to a COVID case within the camp cohort, you will be refunded for the remaining days not attended. If you cancel your registration due to personal reasons more than two weeks (14 days) before the start of the camp, you will receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. If you cancel within 14 days of the start date, no refund will be provided unless the cancellation is COVID-related. If the cancellation is due to COVID, please contact us at camp@terramarin and we will determine the refund on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Do you provide snacks and/or lunch?
A: No, we do not, parents are responsible for preparing snacks and lunch for their children.
Q: Is nap time outdoors or indoors?
A: Nap time will take place outdoors for all Earth Discovery Camps and indoors for Mandarin Mania Camp.
Q: What does my child need to bring in their backpack?
A: An entended packing list will be sent via email after registering. In short, please be prepared to pack a lunch, snacks (2), water, shoes, weather appropriate clothing, hat, jacket, personal medications, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, tissue paper for nature bathroom breaks, 1 complete change of clothes
Q: How does shuttle work? Where are the pick-up and drop-off locations?
A: https://www.terramarin.org/summershuttle
Q: Is there swimming at camp?
A: There is no actual swimming at Terra Marin’s summer camp. Beach days with campers are spent building sand castles, studying tide pools, going on hikes, collecting treasure, wave tag (shins deep only), and interacting with the plants and animals in the beach ecosystem. We have scheduled times where we actually interact with the water- there isn’t free play all day by the ocean. Our counselor staff is vigilant in ensuring the safety of our campers, especially while at the beach. Additionally, campers always have a choice to refrain from water play and participate in a dry land activity with another counselor.
Q: What happens in case of bad weather?
A: All Marin camps will take place at Terra Marin School if it is safe to do so. SF camps may be moved to an indoor location in the city such as the Exploratorium. We will communicate via email about this.
Q: How do I get to aftercare if I did not register for the shuttle?
A: Aftercare is available for campers in Marin and takes place at Terra Marin School. If you are taking part in an Earth Discovery Camp you must register for the shuttle to register for aftercare.
Q: What does aftercare look like?
A: Indoor & outdoor play, free choice in various activity centers, snack is provided https://www.terramarin.org/after-care
Q: What does aftercare look like?
A: Indoor & outdoor play, free choice in various activity centers, snack is provided
Q: Who are the camp counselors? What is their training/experience?
A: Our camp staff educators are resilient, reliable and professionals in their respective fields. Earth Discovery educators are seasoned camp counselors and have all studied and/or worked in environmentally affiliated programs. Language Immersion staff are trained to teach and demonstrate necessary language skills. All staff are CPR and First Aid certified.
Q: What is the students:counselors ratio for camps?
A: 7:1
Q: What is the process in case of an emergency?
A: If necessary, we will call 911 and parents accordingly. If we need to move camp, we will relocate to Terra Marin School.
Q: How do you keep all the kids together?
A: Camp begins with a morning circle where we outline and set expectations for our camp day. Then we transition as a group throughout our time from activities to games as we execute the daily flow. We eat lunch, walk, talk, and learn as a team. Ending with a closing circle, concluding the day just as we began, together.
Meet The Team
Claire Laurenz
Camp Director
Hiking. Climbing. Camping.
BS in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education from Michigan State University, 7 years of experience leading outdoor ed programs. Completed 2 cross-country bike tours. "I work to inspire wonder and life-long learning."
Chris Rasschaert
Camp Director
Trapezist. 70 Mile Marathon Runner. Retired Bee Keeper. Unicyclist.
BA in Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Sustainability at Central Michigan University. "I look forward to unveiling wonders from the ground under our feet to the blue sky above, while building our hearts, minds, and souls along the way."
Michael Pastor
Bus Driver - Marin
Served in the Navy, Has a grown daughter
San Francisco native. Punctual, 17 years as a bus driver. Previously, served as a building and property manager.
Melvin Watson
Bus Driver - San Francisco
Loves bikes, father of four grown children.
Born in Galveston, TX. Previously owned and operated a bike shop, spent 22 years as a building manager in the Presidio, and worked a few years at another K8 school in SF.
Additional camp counselors to be announced soon
For the protection of staff and students, we have built our summer sessions around a few key safety protocols:
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Staff and students will wear face masks as regulated by the CDC and Marin County of Health (now optional)
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All staff and campers will be required to show a vaccination record or recent negative COVID test within 48 hours of the first day of camp
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16 campers or fewer per session
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Activities will be conducted outdoors as much as possible (weather permitting)
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(in infoors like Mandarin Mania) Furniture will be arranged so all students have their own designated chair, table, and floor space
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We will maximize time outdoors for the health of campers and staff
- Windows will remain open while participating in indoor activities (weather permitting)
- Students will bring their own snacks and lunch, sharing food among staff or students will not be allowed
- Staff will monitor students for frequent hand washing and sanitizing
- Staff will conduct a nightly deep clean of all surfaces including high-contact areas such as doorknobs, bathrooms, light switches, and faucets, etc.
- Students or staff who develop symptoms related to COVID-19 will need to be picked up immediately in order to ensure the safety of all staff and students
- Campers are asked not to participate in other group childcare or activities during your time with us at Terra Marin Camp
More up-to-date information on our COVID-19 Safety Plan here.
My daughter had the time of her life, hiking the trails of Marin, playing games, and making friends. She came home every day, dirty, tired, and brimming with stories of her adventures...exactly what summer should be for a kid. - Heidi S. Mother of 7 year old daughter.
My kindergartner was lucky enough to participate in Terra Marin's spring break camp and we could not be happier with the experience! Super safe and professional staff, trained teachers and naturalists from their regular outdoor teaching staff, and dedicated, bright junior counselors supporting their efforts. - Anne H., parent of 5 year old daugher.
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