South Slough Reserve science camps invite kids of all ages to explore the outside world through investigation, exploration, art, and fun. Programs are hands-on, interactive, and planned to fit campers' abilities and interests according to their grade level in school.
Camps for younger kids incorporate nature-based games and songs, exploration, and play. Those for older children use focused exploration, experimentation, history, and data to examine the estuary. The high school level camp dives into local research and careers, with time for fun and socialization.
Camps are led by Reserve experts with years of experience in science education. They are supported by high school and college interns with an interest in environmental science and education. Summer Camp Lottery Sign Up
Available programs change, depending on the age of the campers, the season, and the year. Most activities occur at the Reserve, but some experiences may take campers to other parts of the surrounding watershed. Here are just a few examples of what your child's camp schedule might look like:
Zoea Camp (K-1st),
Instar Camp (4th-5th),
Magister (9th-12th).
Join Us in Summer 2024
Sign-ups for summer camp lottery begin March 22 (Friday) and remain open through April 5 (Friday). Please note,
signing up for the lottery does not guarantee placement in camp. Sign up for Summer Camp Lottery
The Reserve is using a lottery for summer camp sign ups in 2024 to make the process fairer and give all campers an opportunity to obtain one of the limited number of camp slots. The first-come, first-serve online registration we used in the past was unfair to those with limited access to technology or those who could not be online the moment registration opened.
Campers should sign up for the camp that matches the grade they will be entering in the fall of 2024.
For 2024 summer camps, customers have between March 22 (Friday) and April 5 (Friday) to sign a child up for the lottery. After the lottery sign up window has closed, a sorting system will randomly select campers from those who signed up.
Signing up for the camp lottery does not ensure a camp slot.
Campers who are sorted into a camp slot will receive notification via email. The email will include a link to complete registration and payment. 2024 camp registrations must be completed by April 20 (Saturday). If registration is not completed by April 20, the camper will lose the spot.
Campers who are not selected from the lottery will be placed on a waitlist and notified via email.
No, anyone who signs up for the lottery will have the same chance of being chosen for registration. The sign-up window is open for two weeks, so there is no need to be online as soon as it opens. We suggest not waiting until the last minute in case of questions or errors.
There is no cost to sign up for the lottery. If chosen in the selection process, you will be notified via email to register and pay.
When the sign up window closes, campers will be assigned a random number and sorted numerically to fill the number of available spaces in camp.
Yes, we will maintain a waitlist for camps. As in past years, we will contact those on the waitlist when spots become available. Camps that do not fill during the sign-up window will open for registration or waitlist additions on April 20th.
Additional Information
Please note that camps have a minimum enrollment to operate, and a maximum enrollment based on vehicle capacity. Camp fees help with snacks, travel, supplies, tools, t-shirts, and education intern stipends.