Registration for Family Camp 2026 is open!
Please read through the details, and scroll down for the registration link.
Davis Forest School is hosting our 4-day, 3-night Family Camp from August 20th-23rd this summer!
Join us for a nurturing and nourishing retreat created for both children and adults to slow down, reconnect, and immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature together. Our camp will be held at Bear Valley Y Camp in Nevada City. This site is nestled in the breathtaking High Sierra, offering a stunning natural setting for outdoor adventures and family fun. There are scenic hiking trails that wind through towering pines and alpine meadows, providing many opportunities for exploration. This is our cozy community gathering that is quickly becoming our signature annual event!
What’s Included:
- Rustic cabin or camping stay with access to indoor restrooms and showers
- Daily chef-prepared meals – Six meals (dinner on Thursday, two meals each on Friday & Saturday, and brunch on Sunday)
- Wilderness & wellness workshops – Engage in wilderness skills, nature crafts, movement practices, and immersive outdoor experiences
Location & Accommodations:
Our Family Camp will take place at Bear Valley Y Camp in Nevada City, just 95 miles northeast of Davis and 80 miles from Sacramento. There are shared rustic cabins, which will be on a first come, first serve basis, or plentiful tent camping space! Both offer access to restrooms and showers.
- Check-in: Thursday, August 20th, starting at 1:00 PM
- Orientation: 4:30 PM | Dinner: 5:30 PM
- Check-out: Sunday, August 23rd, before 1:00 PM
Pricing & Registration:
- $295 per person 13+
- $195 per person for 5-12 year olds
- Children 4 & Under: FREE
This is a rustic space, and many aspects of helping this camp run smoothly will involve creativity and working together! Please expect to sign up for a volunteer shift to help with meal prep, clean-up, etc.
Co-Create the Experience – Share Your Gifts!
We invite Family Camp participants to offer workshops or activities as part of the experience! If you have a skill to share — wilderness skills, movement, music, mindfulness, storytelling, or other nature-based practices — we’d love for you to contribute.This is a wonderful opportunity to share your gifts, connect with others, and help shape this beautiful experience!
Interested in facilitating? Fill out THIS form.
Teen Internship (ages 13-17)
Examples of last year’s class offerings:
- Knife & Blade Safety
- Orienteering: Lost Proofing your Wanderings
- Plant Walk
- Archery/Slingshots/Atlatls
- Stalking Games
- Star Talk & Storytelling
- Animal Tracking
- Leather Nature Journal Crafting
- Rappelling
- Sugar Scrub & Canning
- Survival Shelter Building
- Indigo Dyeing
- Capture the Flag
- Micaceous Clay Pottery
- Herbal Tea Blending
- Morning Yoga
- Hoop Dance & Play class
“I came away feeling so connected to my family. I can’t thank you enough for organizing this truly magical time! I hope this happens next year, I will be the first to sign up.”
Cancelation/refund policy
There is a $100 non-refundable deposit due upon registration to hold your family’s spot.
If you need to cancel your registration, we will refund your tuition (minus the deposit) up until end of day on June 19th (two months before the program start date). We will refund 50% of your tuition between June 20 and July 19th (one month before the program start date). We will not be able to refund you after that date.
Reparations
If your family identifies as Black and/or Indigenous to the US, you may make use of the reparations discount of 20% off your registration. Use coupon code “REPARATIONS” to apply this discount at checkout.