Registration is now Open for fall 2014
Fall programs start September 15th and are for ages 5-12.
Wild Child. Our classic play-based day in the wild. Kids wander through forests, hillsides and coastline, getting in touch with nature and engaging their curiosity. We learn about plants, observe animals, read books and let kids direct our days!
Wild Imagination. Explore the wild inner landscape of your own creativity! This gaggle of explorers will meet at the lovely Unitarian Universalist campus in Palo Alto—with quick, car-free access to Mitchell Park.
This Fall, Wild Imagination will explore indigenous cultures.
What does the word ‘indigenous’ mean? Why is it so fascinating and inspiring to learn about people who lived in close connection with nature? Come to Wild Imagination Tuesdays as we explore the continents through the cultures of people who have lived on them for thousands of years.
Have you ever wondered how children in Australia learned to walk across one of the most inhospitable deserts on earth without getting lost? Is your child interested in using natural materials to make useful tools? Are you and your child curious to see how people all over the world have developed in unique and parallel ways?
Kids will get the opportunity to hear folk tales, practice primitive skills, and exercise their creativity over the course of our 14-week program. We will focus on Native Americans (North and South), Australia and Africa with lots of hands-on activities and plenty of opportunities for kid-directed learning. Come explore with us!
Guides operate with flexibility and give children freedom of choice to suit their individual learning styles. Mutual respect is cultivated and key for success!
- Mondays - South Bay (Cupertino - Gilroy)
- Tuesdays - Peninsula
- Thursdays - Peninsula
- Fridays - Peninsula
- Tuesdays - Santa Cruz (Soquel/Aptos)
- Wednesdays - Santa Cruz - Afterschool/ Half Day
- Fridays - Santa Cruz. Older Kids/Teens' Program
Wild Imagination. Explore the wild inner landscape of your own creativity! This gaggle of explorers will meet at the lovely Unitarian Universalist campus in Palo Alto—with quick, car-free access to Mitchell Park.
This Fall, Wild Imagination will explore indigenous cultures.
What does the word ‘indigenous’ mean? Why is it so fascinating and inspiring to learn about people who lived in close connection with nature? Come to Wild Imagination Tuesdays as we explore the continents through the cultures of people who have lived on them for thousands of years.
Have you ever wondered how children in Australia learned to walk across one of the most inhospitable deserts on earth without getting lost? Is your child interested in using natural materials to make useful tools? Are you and your child curious to see how people all over the world have developed in unique and parallel ways?
Kids will get the opportunity to hear folk tales, practice primitive skills, and exercise their creativity over the course of our 14-week program. We will focus on Native Americans (North and South), Australia and Africa with lots of hands-on activities and plenty of opportunities for kid-directed learning. Come explore with us!
Guides operate with flexibility and give children freedom of choice to suit their individual learning styles. Mutual respect is cultivated and key for success!
- Tuesdays in Palo Alto
- We may add Wednesdays - email if you're interested
- Want a South Bay day? Email if you're interested
Interested in your kid trying out Wild Child for a day? See our:
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Tuition:
Wild Child Silicon Valley - $60/day ($70 Ocean Grove/$75 Drop In)
Wild Imagination - $70/day ($75 Ocean Grove/$80 Drop In)
Wild Child Santa Cruz Homeschool - $60/day ($70 Ocean Grove/$75 Drop In)
Wild Child Santa Cruz Afterschool/ Half Day - $30/day ($35 Ocean Grove/ $40 Drop In)
Wild Child Silicon Valley - $60/day ($70 Ocean Grove/$75 Drop In)
Wild Imagination - $70/day ($75 Ocean Grove/$80 Drop In)
Wild Child Santa Cruz Homeschool - $60/day ($70 Ocean Grove/$75 Drop In)
Wild Child Santa Cruz Afterschool/ Half Day - $30/day ($35 Ocean Grove/ $40 Drop In)
Silicon Valley Program INFORMATION
Ages 5-12
Fall Session runs September 15 - December 19:
Wild Child. Our classic play-based day in the wild. Kids wander through forests, hillsides and coastsides, getting in touch with nature and engaging their curiosity. We learn about plants, observe animals, read books and let kids direct our days!
Nerdy Naturalists. An optional expansion during Wild Child hiking days with a extra scoop of wild science. This is an opportunity for kids who want to engage in more project-based learning and science to delve into potion making with wild herbs, participating in child-friendly GLOBE data collection, practice Sit Spots & mindfulness activities, form naturalist practices, and get really nerdy about the natural world while still hanging out with their Wild Child buddies.
Wild Imagination. Explore the wild inner landscape of your own creativity! This gaggle of explorers will meet at the lovely Unitarian Universalist campus in Palo Alto - with quick, car-free access to Mitchell Park. Like Wild Child, there's always the option of free play, but also so much to explore... art, storytelling, history, writing, music, clay, maker projects, gardening, history, roleplaying, and more!
Tuition Info for Wild Child:
We try to keep our programs as affordable as possible! Here's the breakdown for the Fall:
Tuition Info for Wild Imagination:
In order to cover the cost of renting our awesome space and for program materials, here's the breakdown for the Fall:
- Mondays - South Bay (Cupertino - Gilroy)
- Tuesdays - Peninsula
- Thursdays - Peninsula
- Fridays - Peninsula
Nerdy Naturalists. An optional expansion during Wild Child hiking days with a extra scoop of wild science. This is an opportunity for kids who want to engage in more project-based learning and science to delve into potion making with wild herbs, participating in child-friendly GLOBE data collection, practice Sit Spots & mindfulness activities, form naturalist practices, and get really nerdy about the natural world while still hanging out with their Wild Child buddies.
Wild Imagination. Explore the wild inner landscape of your own creativity! This gaggle of explorers will meet at the lovely Unitarian Universalist campus in Palo Alto - with quick, car-free access to Mitchell Park. Like Wild Child, there's always the option of free play, but also so much to explore... art, storytelling, history, writing, music, clay, maker projects, gardening, history, roleplaying, and more!
- Tuesdays in Palo Alto
- Want a South Bay day? Email if you're interested
Tuition Info for Wild Child:
We try to keep our programs as affordable as possible! Here's the breakdown for the Fall:
- $60/day when you register for at least 7 weeks (payable in one or two payments)
- $70/day when you pay with Ocean Grove
- $75/day for drop-ins
Tuition Info for Wild Imagination:
In order to cover the cost of renting our awesome space and for program materials, here's the breakdown for the Fall:
- $70/day when you register for Full Fall 2014 Session (payable in one or two payments)
- $75/day when you pay with Ocean Grove
Santa Cruz PROGRAM INFORMATION
AGES 5-12
FALL SESSION RUNS SEPTEMBER 16 - DECEMBER 19:
After School Program:
This will be a unique opportunity for kids to play, learn nature skills, do crafts, and help with ecological restoration projects. Founded on a cooperative model, the program is built around input from parents, and the individual needs and interests of the children.
*Although the program meets at Monarch Community School, we welcome homeschoolers and kids from any other school.
Where: Pick up and drop-off at Monarch Community School 840 N Branciforte Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Most days, the group will walk to Branciforte Creek or Oceanview Park.
When: The Fall session runs on Wednesdays from September 17-December 17
Drop-off: 12:30pm.
Pick up: 3pm or later based on parent feedback.
Program Pricing (this is different from Silicon Valley pricing - see above!):
Homeschooler Program:
Join us as we explore wild places, gain survival skills and build mutualistic relationships with the natural world. One day, we may be learning the language of the birds. Another day, we may build shelters and make face paint from rocks. Whatever we do, we make sure that we're supporting each other as a team, and having as much fun as possible.
When:
We are now running our homeschool program on Tuesdays and Fridays from September 16-December 19th. Tuesdays are for ages 5-12. Fridays we are now offering an older kids and teens program!
Tuesdays: Drop-off: 10am. Pick-up: 4pm
Fridays: Drop-off: 9:30am. Pick-up 2:30pm
Where:
Locations are updated on our website under Member Pages.
Locations for Aptos/Soquel Tuesdays include Nisene Marks, New Brighton State Beach and more areas to be discovered!
Locations for Santa Cruz Fridays include Arana Gulch, Natural Bridges, UCSC Upper Campus, Lighthouse Field, Black's Beach, Neary Lagoon, Henry Cowell State Park, Wilder Ranch State Park, DeLaveaga Park, Permaculture gardens and a variety of other lovely locations. Locations change each week will be chosen based on the input from the families involved.
Program Pricing (this is different from Silicon Valley pricing - see above!):
Tuesdays, a 6 hour day:
Fridays, a 5 hour day:
This will be a unique opportunity for kids to play, learn nature skills, do crafts, and help with ecological restoration projects. Founded on a cooperative model, the program is built around input from parents, and the individual needs and interests of the children.
*Although the program meets at Monarch Community School, we welcome homeschoolers and kids from any other school.
Where: Pick up and drop-off at Monarch Community School 840 N Branciforte Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Most days, the group will walk to Branciforte Creek or Oceanview Park.
When: The Fall session runs on Wednesdays from September 17-December 17
Drop-off: 12:30pm.
Pick up: 3pm or later based on parent feedback.
Program Pricing (this is different from Silicon Valley pricing - see above!):
- $30/day when you register for a 7 or 14 week session (payable in 1 or 2 payments)
- $35/day when you pay via Ocean Grove Charter School (To account for added administrative work for us)
- Drop In $40/day*
Homeschooler Program:
Join us as we explore wild places, gain survival skills and build mutualistic relationships with the natural world. One day, we may be learning the language of the birds. Another day, we may build shelters and make face paint from rocks. Whatever we do, we make sure that we're supporting each other as a team, and having as much fun as possible.
When:
We are now running our homeschool program on Tuesdays and Fridays from September 16-December 19th. Tuesdays are for ages 5-12. Fridays we are now offering an older kids and teens program!
Tuesdays: Drop-off: 10am. Pick-up: 4pm
Fridays: Drop-off: 9:30am. Pick-up 2:30pm
Where:
Locations are updated on our website under Member Pages.
Locations for Aptos/Soquel Tuesdays include Nisene Marks, New Brighton State Beach and more areas to be discovered!
Locations for Santa Cruz Fridays include Arana Gulch, Natural Bridges, UCSC Upper Campus, Lighthouse Field, Black's Beach, Neary Lagoon, Henry Cowell State Park, Wilder Ranch State Park, DeLaveaga Park, Permaculture gardens and a variety of other lovely locations. Locations change each week will be chosen based on the input from the families involved.
Program Pricing (this is different from Silicon Valley pricing - see above!):
Tuesdays, a 6 hour day:
- $60/day when you register for 7 or 14 week session (payable in 1 or 2 payments)
- $70/day when you register for a 7 or 14 week session and pay via Ocean Grove Charter School
- $75/day Drop In*
Fridays, a 5 hour day:
- $50/day when you register for 7 or 14 week session (payable in 1 or 2 payments)
- $60/day when you register for a 7 or 14 week session and pay via Ocean Grove Charter School
- $65/day Drop In*
Drop-Ins:
Drop-Ins are a great way to try out Wild Child and Nerdy Naturalists. We will have drop ins available again in September 2014. Drop-ins are $75/day.
Please follow these three steps:
Make sure your children knows the following 3 rules in advance:
Please follow these three steps:
- Email to schedule your drop in date(s) for Silicon Valley, or for Santa Cruz.
- Once you have your date(s) confirmed, please use the PayPal Button Below to make your payment.
- Fill out our Liability & Medical Release Forms online (if this is your first time coming out, otherwise we already have them on file)
Make sure your children knows the following 3 rules in advance:
- Stay within sight of a guide at all times. The only exception to this is when a child needs a bathroom break, and then a guide will point out where they should go off the trail. If a child needs help going in nature, a same-sex or female guide will assist them.
- If for some reason you aren’t sure where the group is or you cannot see an adult, stay where you are and "Hug A Tree". The National Park Service’s “Hug A Tree” campaign has been credited with saving hundreds of lost children, and although we’ve never had any problems keeping track of everybody in our group, we teach everyone to stay put and “Hug A Tree” if they think they are lost. If you have a whistle (which we encourage everybody to carry) you may blow it 3 times in a row to indicate your need for help.
- Please don’t share your food with anybody in the group. We have kids with serious allergic reactions to nuts, gluten, and other things commonly found in our kid’s lunches, so the only people allowed to share food with others are the guides.
Questions?
- Email , co-founder & parent volunteer
- Email , co-founder, guide & Silicon Valley Coordinator
- For Santa Cruz - email , guide & Santa Cruz Coordinator
Not-So-Fine print:
DANGER STUFF (PLEASE READ!):
WILD CHILD PRESCRIBES TO THE IDEA OF MANAGED RISK AS A GOOD WAY TO ENCOURAGE A CHILD'S CONFIDENCE, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT. AS WE GET TO KNOW A CHILD AND START TO TRUST IN THEIR DECISION-MAKING CAPABILITIES, WE ENCOURAGE GREATER AND GREATER RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THE TOOLS OF OUTDOOR SURVIVAL—AND FUN!
WE ASK THAT PARENTS GAUGE THEIR COMFORT LEVEL WITH THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES PRIOR TO ENROLLMENT: CLIMBING TREES, HANDLING KNIVES TO STRIP WOOD OR MAKE TOOLS (WITH SUPERVISION), HELPING BUILD A FIRE, GETTING SOAKED OR COVERED WITH MUD FROM HEAD TO TOE, OR SCRAMBLING UP AND OVER SMALL BOULDERS. WE TRY AS BEST WE CAN TO AVOID INJURIES, BUT MINOR INJURIES (SCRAPES, ETC) DO OCCUR.
IF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR CHILD EXPERIENCE WHEN READY, WILD CHILD'S PROGRAMS ARE A GREAT FIT. IF THEY SOUND TOO DANGEROUS OR FILL YOU WITH FEAR, OUR PROGRAMS ARE NOT LIKELY A GOOD PLACE FOR YOUR CHILD.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION!
Administrative stuff:
WCFS is a nonprofit-run nature education program. All funds are going directly to pay our guide(s) and no money goes to parent volunteers in organizing or administering the program. As such, we're not professionals and when life gets busy, communication may break down. Please be patient and don't be afraid to pester via text- pestering is good! Guides are happy to communicate with parents in the evenings, and always appreciate any feedback.
Liability stuff:
All families will need to sign a Liability and Medical Form for each session their child participates in. Forms will be emailed to enrolled families and need to be signed by kids and parents on the first day.
Daily stuff:
Parents must deliver children wearing:
-Closed-toed shoes with treads
-Long pants/leggings are required, no matter what. Bring shorts (with long socks for tick avoidance) in packs for super hot/water days.
-Water-shoes required for creek days
-Sunscreen
Children should have:
-Extra layers
-Re-usable water bottle
-Hat/gloves
-Extra clothes
-Lunch and easy to grab snacks (kids can eat anytime if their snack can be eaten while walking)
-Journal and writing utensil
Discipline stuff:
Wild Child will allow your children a great deal of freedom, but we do have (a few) rules to encourage safety and providing the best experience we can offer. Wild Child operates on a 3-warning system for dangerous (to self or others) choices. Children will receive a maximum of one warning per class. Warnings are cumulative throughout the session, and upon the 3rd warning the child will be asked to skip a day of Wild Child with no refund. Please be aware that this is a last resort! Guides are extremely committed to supporting a strong community, and that includes having your child with us every week.
Flexibility stuff:
Hoping for a different day? Worried about covering the tuition? Please please please—let me know! Since we're just starting out, there's still lots of flexibility and ways to get involved. You could organize a new day, or volunteer to be an administrative superstar for the program and get a big discount.
Guide stuff:
We have our three fabulous Silicon Valley Lead Guides (Alex, Sihaya, Matt) returning for the Fall Session and Jason, our awesome new addition. In Santa Cruz, Lindsay and Naali run wild in the redwoods and beautiful beaches, and Maya will be back after her Radical Mycology Tour in the early winter. You can read all about them here.
Know somebody who might make a good substitute guide, possibly for a permanent positions? If you have any recommendations, or would like to meet our candidates and weigh in, please email Alex.
WCFS is a nonprofit-run nature education program. All funds are going directly to pay our guide(s) and no money goes to parent volunteers in organizing or administering the program. As such, we're not professionals and when life gets busy, communication may break down. Please be patient and don't be afraid to pester via text- pestering is good! Guides are happy to communicate with parents in the evenings, and always appreciate any feedback.
Liability stuff:
All families will need to sign a Liability and Medical Form for each session their child participates in. Forms will be emailed to enrolled families and need to be signed by kids and parents on the first day.
Daily stuff:
Parents must deliver children wearing:
-Closed-toed shoes with treads
-Long pants/leggings are required, no matter what. Bring shorts (with long socks for tick avoidance) in packs for super hot/water days.
-Water-shoes required for creek days
-Sunscreen
Children should have:
-Extra layers
-Re-usable water bottle
-Hat/gloves
-Extra clothes
-Lunch and easy to grab snacks (kids can eat anytime if their snack can be eaten while walking)
-Journal and writing utensil
Discipline stuff:
Wild Child will allow your children a great deal of freedom, but we do have (a few) rules to encourage safety and providing the best experience we can offer. Wild Child operates on a 3-warning system for dangerous (to self or others) choices. Children will receive a maximum of one warning per class. Warnings are cumulative throughout the session, and upon the 3rd warning the child will be asked to skip a day of Wild Child with no refund. Please be aware that this is a last resort! Guides are extremely committed to supporting a strong community, and that includes having your child with us every week.
Flexibility stuff:
Hoping for a different day? Worried about covering the tuition? Please please please—let me know! Since we're just starting out, there's still lots of flexibility and ways to get involved. You could organize a new day, or volunteer to be an administrative superstar for the program and get a big discount.
Guide stuff:
We have our three fabulous Silicon Valley Lead Guides (Alex, Sihaya, Matt) returning for the Fall Session and Jason, our awesome new addition. In Santa Cruz, Lindsay and Naali run wild in the redwoods and beautiful beaches, and Maya will be back after her Radical Mycology Tour in the early winter. You can read all about them here.
Know somebody who might make a good substitute guide, possibly for a permanent positions? If you have any recommendations, or would like to meet our candidates and weigh in, please email Alex.