Snails & Turkey Tails

An Outdoor Adventure School For Curious Kids

AGES 2.6 - 5

(we also offer an afternoon program for big kids!)

A pinch of adventure, a sprinkle of sunshine, or rain, and a big handful of outdoor play.

At Snails & Turkey Tails, we celebrate the magic of early childhood! It's our mission to inspire a love of learning through holistic, nature-based play that engages the senses. We aim to cultivate creativity, curiosity, and deep gratitude for the natural world while instilling an unwavering sense of community and belonging. We learn about local trees, plants and wildlife and develop a respect for all living things. In addition to discovering animals like deer, wild turkeys, osprey and lizards in the wild, we are visited by naturalists, animal ambassadors and nature-inspired artists!

Every day is packed with adventure. Together, we lift up logs, count ants, explore our senses, dig in the mud, run through meadows, learn about birds and bugs, walk through natural spaces, and wade in creeks. As the natural world is ever changing, each day brings new and different discoveries. Children play, learn boundaries -both physical and social- grow in confidence, and become self-starters. Children in this environment learn that there are different ways of solving problems and they develop their critical thinking skills daily.

Snails & Turkey Tails meets at China Camp State Park in San Rafael where we spend our days exploring this historic 1,500-acre park nestled along the shoreline of San Pablo Bay. The park boasts panoramic views, lush oak woodlands, and over 100 acres of protected tidal salt marsh. Over the course of the school year we meet at various locations including China Camp Beach, Miwok Meadows and the Back Ranch Meadows Campground. Children become familiar with the landscape and observe the changes that occur during the seasons. Through imagination and exploration, their world opens up to endless possibilities.

Animal Summer Camp in Nature

Community Building

Marin County is full of natural beauty and, as a result, there are many people who are inspired to interact with it in some way, shape or form. Snails & Turkey Tails invites local naturalists, artists and teachers to join us at least once a month to share their passion and wisdom with our students. This may look like an animal ambassador presentation, a guided hike, a hands-on art project or another type of nature-inspired activity.

- Visits from local naturalists

We love being visited by our favorite naturalists who take us on guided hikes through China Camp. They help us notice the shapes of leaves, the texture of bark, the names of flowers and plants and so much more. Imagine going on the best scavenger hunt ever!

- Guest artists

Marin County inspires so many of our local artists and, on occasion, we invite one of them to to visit our program and lead students in the creation of nature-inspired art.

- Animal ambassadors

While discovering wild animals is an every day occurrence at Snails & Turkey Tails, we also love being visited by animal ambassadors! Students have a chance to learn more about our local wildlife through engaging animal education presentations.

- Outdoor enthusiasts

Students are visited by talented individuals with skills like woodworking, shelter building, animal tracking and more! Children work together as a team while learning new skills.