Create core memories at True North’s summer camp in the foothills of Santa Barbara, CA
2024 Summer Sessions
The only fully self-directed, nature-based summer camp for ages 4 - 12 in town! Camp runs daily from 10 am - 3 pm Monday through Friday all of July.
Children ages 4-12 can enroll for a week at a time and can choose from as little as one day per week or up to five.
For teens, please inquire about our junior mentor program.
Our days will include plenty of child-led plearning with offerings including horsemanship, Spanish language, fiber arts, jewelry making, outdoor cooking, board games, woodcarving, leather working, and more!
*Offerings depend on children’s interests. When registering, please ask your child to list any activities or interests they’d like to explore, and we will do our best to deliver!
Week One: July 1-5 (off Thursday)
Week Two: July 8-12
Week Three: July 15-19
Week Four: July 22-26
Week Five: July 29-August 2
Pricing
Payments & Policies
Your child’s space is secured once the following have been submitted: registration form, nonrefundable deposit and emergency form.
A $100 nonrefundable deposit is due upon registration. This is per family, regardless of the number of weeks you are registering for.
Register before midnight on Sunday, May 19th and receive an additional $50 off your registration!
Cost is $100 for horse ranch days and $75 for nature days. Register for a full week at a time and save $100!
*Scholarships are available. Scroll down for more information.
*Week of July 4th, Thursday the 4th will be off for Independence Day.
Absences:
True North is not able to give refunds for absences.
Cancellation Policy:
We understand plans change. Please try to give as much notice as possible. Refunds will not be available for cancellations within two weeks of the week you are enrolled.
Want to add a day or two?
Please email admin@truenorthsb.com with requests.
Daily Rhythm
10:00 Arrival
10:15 Morning Meeting: setting our intentions for the day
10:30-12:00 ‘Plearning’ (playing + learning, because they are the same thing!)
12:00 - 12:30 Lunch and group check in
12:30 - 2:15 ‘Plearning’
2:15 Snack and C.A.R.E. Circle (Community, Agreements, Reflection, Empathy)
3:00 Pick-up
“Children, more than ever, need opportunities to be in their bodies in the world – jumping rope, bicycling, stream hopping and fort building.
It’s this engagement between limbs of the body and bones of the earth where true balance and centeredness emerge.”
— David Sobel
Learn More About our Community for the Whole Family
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Community Wisdom Circles
A monthly gathering where parents connect and reflect on self-directed learning principles and practices that support whole families. Together we build community, deepen our connections and offer each other support for the parenting journey.
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Family Campouts
Each term we retreat into nature together as whole families to enjoy our connection with each other and our beautiful local surroundings. Children and parents alike look forward to this intentional time together making memories and sharing life and beauty.
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More Resources
Let’s face it — as committed as we are to treating children as whole persons, self-directed learning is counter-cultural. We have a whole page dedicated to frequently asked questions and links to our favorite online resources for parents (and grandparents).
Scholarships
We want to support families based on right fit, not income.
Please send an email to admin@truenorthsb.com to receive information about our sliding scale for summer camp scholarships.
Note that there are a certain number of scholarship spaces available at any given time.
Interested in becoming part of the True North Community?
We offer rolling admission based on availability. Learn more about our enrollment process.
