Wild Child Freeschool
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PAST EVENTS

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Trade Blanket and Seed Bombs
Saturday, March 30th
3:00p to 5:00p
Washington Park, Sunnyvale


        I don't know if you have noticed, but Spring is springing! All around us there are flowers exploding with color, and now is a perfect time for us to join them. So... let's do a gathering!
        At the end of March we will be having a small event celebrating Spring together as  a community. Like previous events, we will have a trade blanket, so bring anything you might not be using anymore, and bring home something new-to-you! We will also be leaping into  the Spring season with a seed bomb crafting station. But don't worry,  these clay-on-the-outside, seeds-on-the-inside creations only explode in extreme slow motion. 
        This is also a perfect event to bring friends and family who may have been hearing you talk about Wild Child, but have yet to experience it. There will be guides running activities and we will be closing out the evening with a sharing circle. 

What to bring:
Food to share and friends!


This event is free to all, but please RSVP if you are planning on coming!


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Spring Family Camp Out
Friday, July 6th through Sunday, July 8th
​Soquel Mountains, Santa Cruz 


       Every year we camp out with our Wild families as a Wild Child Community!  We invite current and past Wild Families to join in the fun!  Space is limited to 50 participants per night/day, so sign up early!  This year our camp out will be at a lovely land project in the Soquel Mountains off Old San Jose Rd about 20 minutes from Soquel Village near Santa Cruz. This camp area has plenty space for tents, redwood fairy rings, trails to a creek and throughout the property, fire pits, a large kitchen for us to use, bathrooms and showers. And of course fun activities and games with Wild Child guides!

Activities may include:
  • Natural Dye Leaf Prints on Fabric with Catkin (bring natural fiber shirts clothing (e.g. cotton, linen, hemp, wool, silk)
  • Carving and/or Rope Making with Duncan
  • Nature Games
  • Forest Walk 
  • Stone Soup Story and Group Cook Out
  • Campfire Storytime with Guides

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SOLD OUT - Wild Child Family Boat Day
​Saturday, April 14th 2018
10am - 2:30pm (Earlier if necessary)
Moss Landing Harbor, Dock E
Guides: Deanna & Catkin
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​Cost is $60 for a family of up to 4, and $15 for each additional child/adult. 
Due to the nature of our Ocean Quest -  we need to make sure that the kids are safe and have adequate Parent supervision, so a limit of 2 kids per 1 adult is required. 

Families are invited to join Wild Child Freeschool for an afternoon of ocean exploration on a 55-ft catamaran in the Monterey Bay! Wild Child is teaming with BKIN (Bring Kids Into Nature) to bring parents and kids up-close with one of our most important sources of life- the ocean. Amongst Monterey Bay’s rich ocean life, we may observe a variety of ocean animals, including whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, and sea otters. Through group activities and discussions, we will investigate topics in ocean conservation and marine mammal biology. All in all, we will develop a deeper understanding and connection with our ocean world and Wild Child community. All ages are welcome!

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Overview:
We will meet and check-in at Moss Landing harbor, where we will gather for an opening circle and introductions on the boat. We will discuss boat and ocean safety, animals we may see, and the overall importance of our oceans. Then, we will leave land and head out into the Monterey Bay. We will spend about two hours on the water, looking for marine animals and playing ocean themed games. Families are encouraged to pack a lunch, though Wild Child will provide snacks. At the end of the day, we will return to the dock for a closing circle and clean-up before saying goodbye. While guides will be available and helping out, they will not be responsible for the supervision of the children, that will be up to the parents and guardians.

What to Bring:
Families are encouraged to pack a lunch, snacks, binoculars, motion sickness medication, sunscreen, and extra warm clothes. We love cameras, but please do not bring other electronics. Families may bring a money donation for the boat crew.

What is Provided:
Life vests and adventure!

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SATURDAY PARENT & CHILD WILD DAY 
MAY 20th 2017 1-4pm

EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS 
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Henry Cowell State Park 
Guides: MAYA AND CATKIN 
The cost is sliding scale starting at $40/ family 
  • Explore and learn about edible and medicinal plants. We'll identify plants, go on a plant scavenger hunt, and make a healing salve to take home!

  • ​Weekend Workshops offer families a chance to get outside, explore, and learn together.  

  • Wild Child guides are Wilderness First Aid/CPR Certified,
  • Live Scanned, and Awesome Mentors!! 

Wednesday May 1oth 2017 - FILM SCREENING  - Project Wild Thing
fILM DIRECTOR - dAVID BOND
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7:oo pm 

loCATION: Blue Light Cinemas 5
1275 Stevens Creek Blvd Cupertino, CA 95014

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Project Wild Thing film screening is evening celebration of what we do at Wild child!

Watch the Trailer
Purchase Tickets (click here)
​$10 per person
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Wild Child Freeschool thinks childhood should be fun! We support kids as they form deep connections with each other and the natural world.
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We couldn't think of a better film to highlight the benefits of getting kids outdoors. Despite all the electronics and technology that take our attention we CAN and WILL focus more on exploring the outdoors. The benefits are exceptional and with a concerted effort we can sell this thing called NATURE! We hope this film inspires you to get outdoors and that you sign up for one of our many programs for kids and families!

Everyone is welcome - please purchase tickets in advance. 
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​Spring Family Camp out - April 28, 29 & 30th 2017
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Join us for our Annual Spring Family Camp Out!  This event is for Current Wild Child Families and Wild Child Alumni. 

Sign up here to reserve a spot!


Every year our Current and Past Wild Families and current Wild Child crew (guides, coordinators and directors) come together for a camp out in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. This year we head to Growing Up Wild, also a project of The Children Are Our Future.  Growing Up Wild is a 4 acre property located in the redwood forest in the Santa Cruz mountains.  There is a creek that runs through the property, Wild Pacific Giant Salamanders have been spotted...

We will have structured activities planned, as well as much time for unstructured fun.  We often do a group hike on Saturday, and campfires on Friday and Saturday nights, and crafts throughout the weekend.  This is a great time to come together outdoors and get to know each other.  
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Please sign up ASAP to reserve your family's spot, as space is limited to 50 participants.  Each family is asked to donate to help cover the costs. 1 night = $40-80 per family sliding scale, 2 nights = $80-$160 per family sliding scale.  If this is a financial hardship and you are not able to donate at this time, please sign up anyways!  No one is turned away for lack of funds. 

New this year at Growing Up Wild is a yurt, a new 3rd bathroom, a roof over the outdoor kitchen, and a new bathroom sink. 
We will do a service project as a community for Growing Up Wild, it's a low pressure project,.

Once you register, you will receive detailed driving directions and a suggested packing list.  Anna is our Wild Child parent point person, let her know if you have any other questions: Once you register, you will receive detailed driving directions and a suggested packing list. 
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Anna is our Wild Child parent point person, let her know if you have any other questions.

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Come visit the Wild Child Booth at Silicon Valley Bike Festival!

www.siliconvalleybikesfestival.org/category/2017-festival-news/

Sunday May 7th 2017
11am to 5pm
History Park
635 Phelan Ave.
San Jose




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WILD SATURDAY - PARENT & CHILD -March 25th 1-4pm
FUNGAL SCAVENGER HUNT @ QUAIL HOLLOW RANCH 
Guides: MAYA AND CATKIN  

Email Catkin or register here - the cost is sliding scale starting at $40/ family 


Learn about Wild Child, talk about mushrooms, get deep with mycology, participate in a fungal scavenger hunt, learn a mushroom dance, and end the day by making spore prints!  



Wild Skills/Wild Projects Camp Out

Date: Postponed to Fall 2016
Drop-off: 10am on the 4th, pick-up at 2pm on the 5th.
Location: Sanborn Park
Ages: 8+

As the Spring 2016 Semester has come to a close, we invite Wild Skills and Wild Projects kids to come together for an overnight campout to try out all they've learned, and have a chance to deepen their skills.  Join Wesley and Marcia at Sanborn Park!

Cost per child is $150.  This covers their registration cost, campsite fee and materials, but not food.

Please contact Wesley if you are interested or have any more questions. 

Additional Information:
  • If your child joined another program other than Wild Skills and Wild Projects, please contact our guides to see if your child can join too!
  • If you'd like to come to camp with us and bring siblings you will need to reserve a separate campsite at $15 a night, $10 for parking.
  • If siblings will be joining us for activities, a parent chaperone is needed. 

​Sanborn/Skyline Park - Saratoga
Address: 16055 Sanborn Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070
Directions: Take the 101 to Hwy 85-S towards Santa Cruz, get off at the Saratoga exit and turn right onto Saratoga Ave.   From Saratoga, proceed two miles west on Highway 9 to Sanborn Road.  Turn left onto Sanborn Road, traveling one mile to the park entrance. We will meet at the first parking lot you encounter, at the Ohlone group area on your left; just after the kiosk.
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Annual Spring Camp Out Mother's Day Weekend, 2016.
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Come see a screening of the new homeschooling documentary Class Dismissed in Cupertino!
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Thursday, December 4th
7pm-9:30pm


Blue Light Cinemas
21275 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA 95014


BUY TICKETS
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The Secret Lives of Birds
***Rain or shine***
Through games and exploration, our guides can help you learn the secret language of the birds, bird behavior and bird identification. 
Things to bring: Water and snacks. Binoculars and bird guides if you have them. 
Neary lagoon, meeting at the Blackburn St. entrance. 
February 8th from 1-4pm.
Suggested Donation: $10-40 per child. No one turned away for lack of funds.

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Putting the Fun in Fungi 
What do mushrooms eat? What does it mean to be a decomposer? How can we work with mushrooms to clean water and soil? Come find out through a hands-on activity where we will make Mushroom growing kits that you can take home! The kits can produce delicious edible Oyster Mushrooms. Decomposer displays and books will be available to look at. 
Discovery Learning Center
March 12th 2:30-5pm
Cost: $10-20 suggested donation per mushroom kit. 
Things to bring if you have them: Things that are decomposing, mushrooms, mushroom identification books.
Check us out and help spread the word on facebook!
Print out the flyer

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April 12: Wild Plants for Feasting and Healing
While walking and playing games, we will be identifying and discussing plants that are useful for food and medicine. Each child will have the opportunity to create their own plant identification sampler.
Things to bring: Water and snacks and a notebook to take notes if you want to.

Wilder Ranch State Park
April 12th 1-4pm 


Suggested donation: $10-40 per child.  No one turned away for lack of funds.
*Prepared wild foods will be available for purchase*

"What makes people smart, curious, alert, observant, competent, confident, resourceful, persistent - in the broadest and best sense, intelligent - is not having access to more and more learning places, resources, and specialists, but being able in their lives to do a wide variety of interesting things that matter, things that challenge their ingenuity, skill, and judgement, and that make an obvious difference in their lives and the lives of people around them." 

- John Holt, Teach Your Own 
Wild Child is a fiscally-sponsored project of the 501c3 tax-exempt organization
The Children Are Our Future.
EIN 85-0409005
2014 All Rights Reserved