Hands-on Nature Camps for Kids in Marin

Photo: Marin GreenPlay Camp

Living in Marin, you don't have to look far for a summer camp that takes advantage of some of the amazing natural resources we have right in our own backyard. Parents have several outstanding nature and outdoors oriented summer camps to choose from. Here is a selection of some of our favorite day camps in Marin that have an emphasis on the outdoors and the natural world around us for ages 4 to 18. To find more fantastic summer camps, visit our 2025 Marin Summer Camp Guide.

Audubon Adventure Camp

Location: Richardson Bay Audubon Center, Tiburon
Ages: 4–7
Dates: June 23–August 15
Cost: $460–$575 per week
Audubon Adventures Camp for kids in pre-K–3rd grade includes themes like Shark Week, Wild Wings, Messy Mud!, and Animal Architects. Expedition Camp is for children in grades 4–6, where campers deliver a little deeper into the varied habitats of Marin County and visit environments like the bay, ocean, redwood forest, and more. They also offer Audubon Youth Leaders for ages 11–17. Monday-Friday, 9 am–2 pm or 9 am–3 pm; extended hours untiil 5 pm are available for an additional cost. Register here.

Coastal Camp

Location: Marin Headlands, Sausalito
Dates: June 16–August 15
Grades Entering: K–12
Cost: $575–$625 per week.
A day at Coastal Camp is a day spent connecting with nature. With the Marin Headlands as our backdrop, campers learn more about the topics they love while exploring the coastal trails and marine setting. Highly qualified staff engage campers’ interests and curiosity with a program that is flexible and adaptive to each group's needs. Registration opens on February 5 at noon. Register here.

Home Ground Habitats' Nature Explorers Camp

Location: Novato
Dates: July 11–August 1, 2025
Ages: 6–10 yrs
Cost: $$215/week (early bird pricing until 2/15), $295/week after 2/15
Home Ground Habitats' Nature Explorers Camp will be a magical week of discovery and adventure in our butterfly sanctuary for 1st-5th graders. Our Pollinator Protector Brigade and apprenticeship afternoons will satisfy environmentalists in 6th-12th grades eager to make a positive impact in our community. Early-bird discount until Feb. 15. Register here.

Marin GreenPlay Camp

Location: Various locations
Dates: July 7–August 15
Grades: K–12
Cost: $300–$750 per session
This summer, sign up the kiddos for a unique summer adventure at Marin GreenPlay Camp! Marin GreenPlay Camp, voted Best Summer Camp by Marin IJ readers, is an innovative and place-based nature awareness camp for kids entering kindergarten through 12th grade that takes place at locations throughout Marin County, now in its 16th year, is the sponsor of our 2025 Marin Summer Camp Guide! Half-day and full-day are available, as is free before- and after-care. Marin Mommies readers: get a $25 per week discount with code MARINMOMMIES. Register here.

Nature Navigators Summer Camp

Location: Larkspur
Dates: August 12–16
Ages: Grades K–5
Cost: $650 per week
In Nature Navigators Summer Camp, kids are outside all day playing, learning, and exploring. From nature science to nature art and animal tracking to California natural history, this camp covers it all. Group games and free play are woven into every day. Join Sage Educators as a Nature Navigator and you'll make memories to last! Grades K–5, 9 am–3 pm, Larkspur. Register here

Slide Ranch Summer Day Camp

Location: Muir Beach
Dates: June 9–August 15 (no camp June 30–July 3)
Ages: 5–18
Cost: $495–$650
Slide Ranch Summer Day Camp provides children ages 5 and up a unique opportunity to experience the daily challenges and rewards of a working farm. Slide Ranch campers milk goats, collect eggs from chickens and ducks, card and spin wool, create nature-based crafts, learn to compost, plant seeds, harvest and cook from our organic garden, and explore the tide pools and trails of our beautiful coastal wild lands. Youth ages 12–17 can serve as Counselors-in-Training, cultivating teaching and leadership skills through helping with camp groups. Registration is open now. Register here

Terra Schools Earth Discovery Camp

Location: Mill Valley & San Francisco
Dates: June 9–August 16
Ages: 4–8
Cost: $574–$599
Terra Marin School offers its Earth Discovery Camp for ages 4–8 in both Mill Valley and San Francisco. Experience nature up close. Connect deeply with the environment, others, and self. Excursions will take your child from the beach to the mountains and everywhere in between to hike, learn and explore. Adventures are balanced with projects, personal and group reflection, stories, and timeless wandering. Shuttle bus available for an additional $150 per week. Register here.

Vilda Summer Camp

Location: Various locations in Marin
Dates: June 16–August 15
Ages: 4 1/2–17
Cost: $495–$770
Vilda Summer Camp offers mobile nature summer pods at a variety of outdoor locations in Marin, Sonoma, and Tahoe. With wilderness skills, nature connection and ecological stewardship wrapped in lots of adventure and play, campers learn about animal tracking, wild edible plants, primitive skills, natural dyes and much, much more. Register here.

WildCare Wildlife Camp

Location: San Rafael
Dates: June 16–August 15
Ages: 4–11
Cost: $395–$415
Campers will meet WildCare’s non-releasable Wildlife Ambassadors, explore Marin’s natural beauty, and nerd-out about all things wildlife. This week of camp is packed full of animal encounters, nature exploration, wildlife-themed games, crafts, and much more. Camps will be held at Dominican University's Angelico Hall. Register here.