Summer Camp

Thank you to our community for a wonderful 2026 season!

We’ll see you next year!

Check back in early 2027 for updates on scheduling and registration!

Information & FAQs

What goes on during DFS Summer Programs?

So much! Like our drop-off programs during the school year, our summer camp is a thoughtful blend of child-led exploration and play, and facilitated activities, which will include nature crafts; nature awareness-based games and activities; naturalist studies, including learning about the flora and fauna of the area, and identifying animal tracks. Each group bring a unique energy, abilities and desires, so no two weeks will be exactly the same!

What happens in case of hazardous conditions?

If the AQI is above 100, there is an unprecedented heat wave, or any other weather conditions that pose a risk to health and safety, we will cancel for that day, and families will receive a refund of 50% of the day’s tuition.

It is rare that we actually cancel due to heat alone, especially as our programs are finished before the hottest hours of the day, and water play is a big component of our summer camps. Additionally, summer city temperatures are always several degrees above the actual temperature out there in the riparian areas, so if the weather report says it’s going to be 110, just remember that it won’t actually be 110 yet before 2 pm, and it won’t actually get to 110 at all where the kids are spending their time.

We do carry extra drinking water and remind kids to drink regularly, and keep in the shade as much as possible! 

What's our approach to water safety?

We carry life jackets during water-play weather, and all children must wear a life jacket when in the water. We designate specific areas for safe water play, and always have an adult stationed at the edge of the water play boundary.

What is the child to adult ratio?

For our summer program, we have 5-6 kids per Forest Mentor.

What does my child need to bring?

You will receive a full Parent Guide before the start of the program, which will include more detailed information, but generally, your child will need to bring a backpack that they can easily carry with water, a sack lunch and snack, and appropriate clothing for the weather. In the summer there is often opportunities for water play, so a change of clothes and/or swimwear is helpful. We provide life jackets, which will be worn by kids at all times in the water.

Cancelation & refund policy for Summer Programs
If you need to cancel your registration, we will refund your tuition (minus a $25 per registrant per week cancelation fee) as long as there are more than 4 weeks before the start of the program (for seasonal programs such as Parent/Child), or the given week in which your child is registered (for weekly summer camp programs). You can receive a 50% refund (minus the cancelation fee) from 4 weeks until 2 before the start of the program or camp. There will be no refunds starting 2 weeks before the start of the program or week of camp.

For example: for full-season programs (such as Parent/Child), if the first day of the program is Monday, June 15th, the last day to receive a full refund will be Sunday, May 17th; from that point you can receive a 50% refund between May 18th and May 31st. There will be no refunds starting June 1st.

For weekly summer camps, if your child is registered in Week 2 camp, beginning on Monday, June 22nd, the last day to cancel and receive a full refund will be Sunday, May 24th; you will be able to receive a 50% refund between Monday, May 25th and Sunday, June 7th. There will be no refunds after that point.

Tuition assistance & reparations

We have a few opportunities to offer tuition assistance for families with financial need (please contact us in advance to apply and receive the coupon code!).

We offer a discounted reparations rate of 40% off standard tuition to families identifying as Black and/or Indigenous to the US, regardless of financial need. To automatically apply this discount to your registration, use coupon code “REPARATIONS”.