Join us for three days of outdoor exploration and adventure at China Camp. Children will spend their days wandering trails, discovering the shoreline, looking for signs of wildlife, building and creating with natural materials, and following their curiosity through imaginative play. With plenty of time to explore freely, get muddy, and simply enjoy being outdoors, each day brings new discoveries and opportunities for adventure.
China Camp State Park
NOVEMBER 23 - 25
AGES 3-5
9:00AM-1:30PM
FALL CAMP
Celebrate the beauty of fall with three days of outdoor adventure at China Camp! Our days are filled with child-led exploration, hands-on discovery, imaginative play, and plenty of time to slow down and experience the changing landscape.
Children explore the shoreline, woodland, and trails, search for signs of wildlife, collect natural treasures, build with sticks and other natural materials, create, tell stories, play imaginative games, and follow their curiosity wherever it leads.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, our small-group camp gives children the freedom and time to explore at their own pace while being supported by a responsive teacher. Rather than following a predetermined schedule or completing step-by-step projects, children learn through play, observation, conversation, movement, and firsthand experiences in nature.
With room to climb, build, wander, imagine, get muddy, and simply be children, campers develop confidence, independence, creativity, and connection while forming friendships and making memories outdoors.
WHY FAMILIES LOVE CHINA CAMP
China Camp offers a unique landscape where forest meets shoreline, creating endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Children can follow winding trails, investigate the water's edge, search for wildlife, climb and balance, collect natural materials, and find their own special places to play.
Fall brings cooler days, changing leaves, interesting textures, and new discoveries throughout the landscape. It's a place where children can slow down, get wonderfully messy, follow their curiosity, and experience the simple joy of spending meaningful time outdoors.
OUR RHYTHM
Welcome Circle & Introductions
We begin the morning by coming together, singing a song, connecting with one another, and noticing what the day has to offer. Children are invited to share observations, ideas, and questions before heading out to explore.
Explore, Play & Discover
The majority of our day is open-ended and child-led. We may hike, explore the shoreline, search for wildlife, build with natural materials, create, tell stories, play imaginative games, or simply follow an interesting discovery.
The environment—and the children's curiosity—helps shape each day.
Goodbye Circle
We come back together at the end of the day for a story, song, reflection, or simple group activity before saying goodbye.
"Our child absolutely loves coming to Snails & Turkey Tails. There’s something so special about having the freedom to explore, get messy, and use their imagination without being rushed from one activity to the next. They’ve become more confident and independent, and we’ve loved watching their relationship with nature grow."
— Parent of a 4-year-old