Yes, all programs that operate in public parks and recreation areas are required to carry liability insurance.

We do encourage parents to ensure that their children have been to the toilet right before their class and there are bathrooms on site at some of our local nature spaces. They will be supervised and sanitized if used. If we are out in nature, have portable toilets and pack out solid waste. If your child is still in diapers, that's just fine! Please be sure they're dry when dropping them off for school.

We meet rain or shine! That being said, we will shut down programming for the day if there is a major natural disaster, the temperature is above 100 degrees F, in flash flood/landslide conditions or in extremely high winds.

We are currently accepting registration for a February 2025 start date. If you would like to register for outdoor adventure school please complete our application, which can be found the HOME page. We look forward to learning more about your child! If you are interested in the afternoon program please email us. If there is space available, we'll set up a time to chat on the phone and if you decide you'd like to move forward we'll send you an invoice and other paperwork that must be completed before starting school. We bill tuition on a monthly basis via Brightwheel.

Whether this will be your child's first school experience or if they are seasoned pros, we do have a short list of requirements - They can carry a backpack on short hikes They are able to follow teacher instructions while we explore in nature They are able to participate as part of a group * If your child is neurodiverse, or has other special needs, please let us know. We strive to be an inclusive community and want to be sure we can meet the needs of every student.

PRESCHOOL - AGES 2.6-5 SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAM: Our school year program runs from August - May and is offered in 4-week sessions. Please note - some months meet 5 weeks and the tuition is adjusted accordingly. Pick and choose the months that work for you! Choose from a 2-5 day weekly schedule. All classes meet from 9AM-12:30PM. --- PRESCHOOL - AGES 3-5 HOLIDAY CAMPS: Our camps meet from 9AM-1PM, 5 days a week. --- AFTERNOON PROGRAM - AGES 6-10 SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAM: Our school year program runs from August - May and is offered in 4- week sessions. Please note, some months meet 5 weeks and tuition is adjusted accordingly. Choose between a 1-5 day weekly schedule. All classes meet from 2PM-5PM.

As an outdoor adventure school, we consider ourselves to be a forest school program. There is no current licensing requirement for forest schools but we do require the following: - lead teachers should possess a minimum of 12 Early Childhood Education (ECE) units - assistant teachers should possess a minimum of 6 ECE units - criminal background check (teachers and special guests) - pediatric CPR/First Aid certification - negative TB test - up-to-date COVID vaccine - all teachers should know how to identify poisonous and hazardous conditions within the environment

Yes! We are outside every day no matter the weather- except in extreme conditions. We are fully prepared for all seasons. Kids are a lot more resilient than we give them credit for, but we pay close attention to their well being. In addition, we communicate with families about proper clothing for different seasons. Outdoor schools have found that when the kids are prepared for the weather, they thrive and have fun. The kids at our school love wet weather! During rainy days, the salamanders and worms are a lot more active. All weather brings opportunities for learning.

All of our classes and camps have a maximum of 8 children. Ages range between 2.6 - 5 years old and 6-10 years old.

Outdoor adventure school happens in all seasons, in all weather. Learning doesn't just happen in dry/sunny summer weather. Often times, “uncomfortable” weather makes for the best learning and the most engaging activities. To ensure our participants enjoy their experiences at Snails & Turkey Tails and are comfortable throughout the day, it’s imperative that they come dressed appropriately for the forecasted weather that day. Outdoor School Shop is a great resource for clothing and layering suggestions: https://outdoorschoolshop.com/gear-checklists/#cali Not matter the season… Children should have all of the following essentials when they are attending forest school, not matter the season or weather. Small well fitting backpack Snacks and lunch (no access to fridge or microwave) 1-2 FULL water bottles Seasonally appropriate clothing (see detailed list below) An extra change of clothes (underwear, socks, base layers) Proper footwear made for running (always close-toed) Hat (season appropriate) The material of your child’s clothing is very important. Cotton is not a suitable material for outdoor adventures in most temperatures. Cotton dries slowly and can cause your child to be chilled when wet. Choose synthetic, wool or silk clothing which breaths well, dries quickly and insulates against the elements. Expensive brand name clothing is not necessary to keep your little one ready for any climate. Thrift stores, market place and getting clothes second hand are all great ways to find quality clothing for a cheaper price. Cool Rainy Day Clothing (Fall/Winter/Spring): Base Layer: Synthetic or wool long john shirt and pants; wool socks Mid Layer: Fleece or wool sweater and pants. Outer Layer: Durable, WATERPROOF raincoat and rain-pants; warm hat; waterproof, insulated mittens; waterproof boots (Bogs, Kamik or similar). Extra Layers: 1-2 pairs of wool socks, 1-2 pairs of waterproof insulated mittens; warm hat; mid layer as indicated above; underwear. Optional: Extra boots Cool Dry Day Clothing (Fall/Spring) Base Layer: Synthetic or wool long john shirt and pants; wool socks. Mid Layer: Lightweight fleece or wool pants and sweater. Outer Layer: Warm jacket; durable rain-pants, waterproof boots, waterproof mittens; warm hat. Extra Layers: 1-2 pairs of wool socks, 1 pair of waterproof insulated mittens; mid layer as indicated above; underwear. Cold Winter Day Clothing: Base layers Long pants and shirts made of wool, fleece, polyester, or silk, and wool socks. You can also try merino wool base layers. Mid layers A fleece or wool sweater and pants, or a fleece or wool neckwarmer. On warmer days, a fleece vest may be enough. Outer layers A weatherproof winter jacket with a hood, or a fleece zip-up jacket with a hood. The hood can help keep warmth in, protect the neck, and be pulled up over a hat to protect the ears. You can also add a neck gaiter or hat/neck gaiter combo. Other items Closed-toed shoes, such as hiking boots or running shoes. Waterproof mittens or gloves. Insulated waterproof boots. You can also bring an extra set of socks, shoes, pants, underwear, shirt, sweatshirt/fleece, hat, and gloves. Some other tips include: Avoid jeans, which can be hard for children to put on and take off, absorb moisture quickly, and restrict movement. Consider non-cotton base layers and socks, such as wool or synthetic materials like polyester and nylon. If it's warmer, you can remove the mid layer. If it's raining or wet, you can add a rain suit as your outermost layer. Warm Rainy Day Clothing (Fall/Spring): Base Layer: Lightweight, synthetic material t-shirt and long sleeve; lightweight, synthetic material pants (quick-dry material is ideal); wool socks. Outer Layer: Durable, WATERPROOF raincoat and rain-pants; waterproof boots. Extra Layers: Fleece Sweater; wool socks, hat. Optional: Extra boots Warm Dry Day Clothing (Fall/Spring): Base Layer: Lightweight, long pants that can easily be rolled up; t-shirt; lightweight synthetic socks. Outer Layer: Fleece sweater or jacket; closed toe running shoes or hiking boots; sun hat Extra Layers: Extra socks; base layer. **Please do NOT bring: Toys from home Electronics (iPads, iPods, cellphones, etc.) Pocket knives or tools Anything valuable or special that may be lost or broken.

Students ages 6-10 meet us at China Camp State Park beginning at 2pm. We meet at various locations within the park such as China Camp Beach, Miwok Meadows and the Back Ranch Meadows Campground. Students can be dropped off between 2-3pm. During this first hour students have a snack, read a book from our mobile nature library, play a game or engage in a directed learning activity. From 3-4pm we go on a small hike to other locations near our site. We may go on scavenger hunt, collect items for an art project, learn how to identify plants, birds, etc. and/or play nature inspired games. Truly, there are so many opportunities for discovery during this time! We are back at our drop-off location from 4-5pm where we might work on an art project, build a structure or enjoy some solo time in a favorite spot. During this last hour together students are getting picked up and heading home.

Our school program has a 1:4 ratio. We have a maximum of 8 children with 2 teachers.

Covered water bottle. Water bottle should be one that is easily transportable for your child and easy for them to operate and use on their own. Please ensure the bottle does not leak when inverted. Lunchbox with lunch. Must be a sealed lunch container (Bento Box, Yummo Lunch Boxes, metal thermos) that is small enough to fit in your child’s backpack. Sealed boxes prevent bugs and animals from taking an interest. We do not have refrigeration or re-heating capabilities so please be mindful of hot and cold weather when packing your child’s lunch. Insulated zipper bags are welcomed. Two seasonally appropriate extra changes of clothes. Two pairs of socks. Three pairs of underwear. Sunscreen. A snug fitting hat, appropriate to the season.

We believe in the motto: There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing choices. We make sure that everyone is dressed appropriately for the wet weather. We will provide suggestions for rain gear if needed. Rainy days can be the best days! Puddles abound, streams flow, while worms and salamanders creep out of their usual places. When it rains we also set up a tent and tarp for children’s backpacks, our teaching supplies, and extra clothing. Outdoor School Shop is a great resource for clothing options - https://outdoorschoolshop.com/gear-checklists/#cali

Health and safety is the number one priority at all times. We are trained in First Aid and CPR, carry cell phones and first aid kits, and our low teacher-to-student ratio allows us to keep a close eye on students at all times. If there is an accident of any kind, a full report will be taken and caregivers will be notified at the end of the day, if not sooner. Generally, children who have experience playing outside injure themselves much less frequently than children who don’t have the privilege of extended outside time. This is because they are given the space and time to practice real-life risk assessment, gain essential gross motor skills, and understand their physical limits. These are skills that, when developed early in life, can help foster a lifetime of self-awareness and safety in the outdoors!

Yes! We offer a 5% sibling discount.

Outdoor Adventure School Monthly Classes: We do not offer refunds for missed classes. If Snails & Turkey Tails has to cancel class due to extreme weather, an emergency or illness, we will provide a 50% refund for any missed classes. Camps: Cancellations made two or more months prior to the session start date receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made one month prior to the session start date receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 29 days of the session start date do not receive a refund. Any camp cancelled by Snails & Turkey Tails due to an act of nature, something outside of our control (illness, fire, pandemic, earthquake, etc.) will be given a 50% refund for any and all cancelled remaining days regardless of the above time frames.