NATURE AFTERNOONS
FAIRFAX, Sun Valley, China Camp, Petaluma & Novato
OUTDOOR PLAY AND NATURE CONNECTION
Our after school programs provide children with an essential sense of freedom and adventure. Their natural curiosities are gently guided into a deeper relationship to the world around them by experienced guides who balance instruction with play. Physically active and creatively inspired, Nature Afternoons are a great balance to the typical school day spent focused indoors.
With younger kids our programs are play based, hand on and engage all the senses.
With older kids we take their skills further, encouraging competence and social emotional growth as well as environmental stewardship through challenge and adventure.
This program includes our core curriculum.
Our school year programs are continuous programs that run from September through June. We encourage students to stay for the whole year, however we do have a policy that you can cancel with a 30 day notice.
*Van transport is an option from Manor School or Ross Valley Charter for our ages 6½-11 Fairfax program. Please check availability and register separately below.
What if the session I want is full?: Join the waitlist! Sometimes we’re able to expand capacity (and sometimes people cancel). If your spot in the waitlist opens, you’ll receive an email and then have a limited time reserved to register.
“When I got out of school as a kid, I would stop by home for a quick snack and then head outside to play in the forest with my friends. We’d play games, explore creeks, climb trees, trade things, pretend we were a tribe and most importantly stay out until our parents called us in for dinner.”
NATURE AFTERNOONS AGES 6½-11 - Fairfax
Ages: 6½-11
When: 2:00pm - 5:15pm, Wednesdays, Aug 26, 2026 - Jun 2, 2027
Drop off window: 2:00pm - 2:30pm (for parent drop-off at the site)
Days off: Nov 11, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, Feb 17, Apr 7
Location: Open space 10 minutes from downtown Fairfax
Van pickup from RVC and Manor School is available for an extra fee. Van pickup capacity is limited. Please register for Fairfax Nature Afternoon program and then register for van pickup separately below
Tuition - Register by Aug 6 for EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
$100 non-refundable deposit plus 9 monthly payments of:
Rate A: $422 $379
Rate B: $349 $315
Rate C: $295 $267
Click HERE for an explanation of our pricing tiers
*With our very varied economical situations in the Bay Area, families have differing abilities to pay. We want our programs to serve as many children as possible regardless of financial situation.*
**Rate A** - represents the actual cost of running a program in this area and is comparable with the rates of several local specialty camps. It funds our long-term goals and work.
**Rate B** - covers our basic costs for running this particular program, but it does not cover our organizational costs.
**Rate C** - does not cover the cost of the program and is subsidized by Rate A and donations.
Scholarships are available. Contact us for more information. With a charter school? Click here.
If your child is neuro-divergent or may need additional attention for any emotional, social or health related reason please contact us before signing up.
VAN TRANSPORT FOR FAIRFAX NATURE AFTERNOONS AGES 6½-11
We offer van pickup from Ross Valley Charter or Manor School for an additional fee. We pickup at school release time and then drop-off at the Vilda office parking lot (2398 Sir Francis Drake Blvd) in Fairfax at 5:30pm. Van pickup capacity is limited - you can click the button below to check if registration is still available. For van pickup, you will have to register for BOTH the main Fairfax Nature Afternoons session (button above) AND van pickup (button below).
Van Transport Fee:
$50 non-refundable deposit plus 9 monthly payments of $45
(Or pay in full)
NATURE AFTERNOONS for Ages 6½-11 - San Rafael - Sun Valley
Ages: 6½-11
When: 1:45pm - 5:30pm, Wednesdays, Aug 26, 2026 - Jun 2, 2027
Pick up: 1:30pm from Sun Valley School
Days off: Nov 11, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, Feb 17, Apr 7
Location: This is a van-based program, and van pickup from Sun Valley Elementary School is included. We will then adventure to open spaces and parks within 30mins of west San Rafael, and meet parents at the San Anselmo United Market parking lot for drop off at 5:30pm.
Tuition - Register by Aug 6 for EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
$100 non-refundable deposit plus 9 monthly payments of:
Rate A: $422 $379
Rate B: $349 $315
Rate C: $295 $267
Click HERE for an explanation of our pricing tiers
*With our very varied economical situations in the Bay Area, families have differing abilities to pay. We want our programs to serve as many children as possible regardless of financial situation.*
**Rate A** - represents the actual cost of running a program in this area and is comparable with the rates of several local specialty camps. It funds our long-term goals and work.
**Rate B** - covers our basic costs for running this particular program, but it does not cover our organizational costs.
**Rate C** - does not cover the cost of the program and is subsidized by Rate A and donations.
Scholarships are available. Contact us for more information. With a charter school? Click here.
If your child is neuro-divergent or may need additional attention for any emotional, social or health related reason please contact us before signing up.
NATURE AFTERNOONS for Grades K-3 - San Rafael - China Camp
Ages: Grades K-3
When: 1:45pm - 5:30pm, Wednesdays, Aug 26, 2026 - Jun 2, 2027
Days off: Nov 11, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, Feb 17, Apr 7
Location: China Camp State Park, San Rafael
Tuition - Register by Aug 6 for EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
$100 non-refundable deposit plus 9 monthly payments of:
Rate A: $422 $379
Rate B: $349 $315
Rate C: $295 $267
Click HERE for an explanation of our pricing tiers
*With our very varied economical situations in the Bay Area, families have differing abilities to pay. We want our programs to serve as many children as possible regardless of financial situation.*
**Rate A** - represents the actual cost of running a program in this area and is comparable with the rates of several local specialty camps. It funds our long-term goals and work.
**Rate B** - covers our basic costs for running this particular program, but it does not cover our organizational costs.
**Rate C** - does not cover the cost of the program and is subsidized by Rate A and donations.
Scholarships are available. Contact us for more information. With a charter school? Click here.
If your child is neuro-divergent or may need additional attention for any emotional, social or health related reason please contact us before signing up.
NATURE AFTERNOONS for Ages 6½-11 - Petaluma
Ages: 6½-11
When: 1:45pm - 5:30pm, Wednesdays, Aug 26, 2026 - Jun 2, 2027
Days off: Nov 11, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, Feb 17, Apr 7
Location: Helen Putnam Park, Petaluma
Tuition - Register by Aug 6 for EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
$100 non-refundable deposit plus 9 monthly payments of:
Rate A: $394 $354
Rate B: $326 $294
Rate C: $276 $248
Click HERE for an explanation of our pricing tiers
*With our very varied economical situations in the Bay Area, families have differing abilities to pay. We want our programs to serve as many children as possible regardless of financial situation.*
**Rate A** - represents the actual cost of running a program in this area and is comparable with the rates of several local specialty camps. It funds our long-term goals and work.
**Rate B** - covers our basic costs for running this particular program, but it does not cover our organizational costs.
**Rate C** - does not cover the cost of the program and is subsidized by Rate A and donations.
Scholarships are available. Contact us for more information. With a charter school? Click here.
If your child is neuro-divergent or may need additional attention for any emotional, social or health related reason please contact us before signing up.
NATURE AFTERNOONS for Ages 6½-11 - Novato
Ages: 6½-11
When: 1:45pm - 5:30pm, Thursdays, Aug 27, 2026 - Jun 3, 2027
Days off: Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 31, Feb 18, Apr 8
Location: Stafford Lake, Novato
Tuition - Register by Aug 6 for EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
$100 non-refundable deposit plus 9 monthly payments of:
Rate A: $405 $364
Rate B: $336 $299
Rate C: $285 $254
Click HERE for an explanation of our pricing tiers
*With our very varied economical situations in the Bay Area, families have differing abilities to pay. We want our programs to serve as many children as possible regardless of financial situation.*
**Rate A** - represents the actual cost of running a program in this area and is comparable with the rates of several local specialty camps. It funds our long-term goals and work.
**Rate B** - covers our basic costs for running this particular program, but it does not cover our organizational costs.
**Rate C** - does not cover the cost of the program and is subsidized by Rate A and donations.
Scholarships are available. Contact us for more information. With a charter school? Click here.
If your child is neuro-divergent or may need additional attention for any emotional, social or health related reason please contact us before signing up.