camp description
Big Sur is a magical and extraordinary place; our wild lands overflow with opportunities for kids to engage with the wonder, beauty and diversity of the natural world. With the guidance of Wildtender naturalists and local teachers, kids will playfully experience the Big Sur wild together and make meaningful connections with the land, themselves, and each other. Over four days immersed outdoors together, we’ll nurture wonder, confidence, creativity, belonging, and a sense of kinship with the earth.
OUR VISION
Our camp is intended as both a practical summer resource for local families and a transformative opportunity for children—to get close to the earth, inhabit their bodies and senses, learn through direct encounters with the living land, and share in friendship and togetherness. Our hope is that every child, regardless of circumstance, can grow up with the wild as a teacher, a friend, and a source of balance and resilience in an ever-changing world.
Activities include
🌲 Hiking, mindful movement, and exploration
🦌 Animal tracking and bird language
🌿 Learning about edible and medicinal plants
🧺 Arts and wild-crafting
🦋 Storytelling, nature journaling, songs, and games!
Location & SCHEDULE
Camp hours are 9am-3pm. Each day will take place in a different wild setting or trail in Big Sur State Parks (Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer State Park, & Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). Specific meeting locations & daily schedules are to be announced. If your child would like to drop in for only certain days, please email us directly to inquire.
GUIDED by
Wildtender co-directors Noël Vietor & Fletcher Tucker (former Captain Cooper garden teacher), with support from Captain Cooper teachers Ryan Marden and Rachelle Bellanger, and other local youth educators. Founded in 2018, Wildtender is a local non-profit organization, cultivating connection with nature and community.
GROUPs
Each group will have three adult guides, with up to 12 kids each. Pending enough enrollment, two age cohorts will be offered: ages 5-7 and ages 8-11.
safetY
example of kids nature journal
All camp staff and guides will have background checks. At least one guide per group will be a certified Wilderness First Responder, including pediatric CPR/first aid. Wildtender has safety + emergency plans and protocols, as well as insurance and Big Sur State Parks permits.
Sliding-scale Tuition
In order to make this summer camp accessible and sustainable for all families, we are offering a community-supported sliding-scale tuition model ($0 to $100 per day). During registration, please select the tuition or scholarship amount that feels workable for your family’s budget.
Eligibility
The intention for this camp is to support local kids connecting with their home-place. Priority will be given to Big Sur residents and kids from surrounding areas (Monterey and Santa Cruz counties); however, kids from farther away are welcome to participate. The camp is offered for children ages 5-11.
Registration
Registration for Summer 2026 is now open.
