Mariposa Arts Council and Sierra Foothill Conservancy offer place-based arts and environmental education day camps for students TK-6th grade during the spring and summer, in partnership with local organizations and education facilities.
Led by naturalists, scientists, indigenous culture keepers, and teaching artists, this program is designed to allow students to safely explore and celebrate preserved natural landscapes near to where they live.
Parent Handbook – for Enrolled Students
The Summer Day Camp Parent handbook provides detailed information about our Day Camp program. If you have questions, please contact June@sierrafoothill.org
English Edition
Spanish Edition
Schedule
Day Camp runs Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, with weekly field trips to the Mariposa Creek Parkway, the Stookey Preserve in Lush Meadows, and Yosemite National Park.
- Spring Camp – April 21-25 (5 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 1 – June 9-13 (5 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 2 – June 16 – 18 (3 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 3 – June 23 – 27 (5 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 4 – June 30 – July 2 (3 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 5 – July 7-11 (5 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 5 – July 14 – 18 (5 days)
Curricula + Activities
Our educators help students students’ develop a deep relationship to their local landscapes with experiential, inquiry based activities that weave together artistic and scientific practices. Each week is structured around thematic concepts, including watersheds, cultural histories, foods, habitat and more. Example activities include:
- Building a model of the Mariposa Creek watershed
- Harvesting and making indigenous foods and medicines
- Learning stories, legends and local histories
- Weaving baskets with willow stems
- Measuring ecosystem health with scientific tests
- Making music with sounds from the natural environment
- Creating pottery with local clay
- Sourcing natural dyes and observation-based painting
+ Explore Student Creation Journal
+ Click to images below to view Curriculum activities
Camp Leads + Educators
Clay River: Clay is a cultural arts activist, mural painter, poet, storyteller, weaver, beader, quilter, land steward, water protector and a member of the Passamaquoddy and Mi’kmaq Nations. Currently a Programs and Projects Manager and teaching artist at the Mariposa Arts Council, Clay’s wide-ranging background includes Native education curriculum development, youth leadership and community health.
Ava Burns: Ava is a musician and educator based in Mariposa, California and works as a Programs and Projects Manager and teaching artist at the Mariposa Arts Council. As a visionary teacher with over 20 years experience in alternative and traditional school settings, Ava focuses on unleashing creative potential, and empowering students to use art as a tool for self expression and community building.
Allyson Brooks: As the Community Engagement Manager at Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Allyson manages and oversees all youth and adult education programs, including a highly successful youth field trip program. Allyson specializes in ecology and creating integrated curriculum blending science, conservation, outdoor immersion and movement into her instruction.
Nancy Fluharty: Nancy is an educator with fifteen years of experience and a talented ceramicist based in Mariposa. In addition to serving the Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s Programs Development Manager, Nancy assists with outdoor education programs and community conservation initiatives.
How to Sign Up
A link to register will be posted above when registration opens. Simply click on the link and follow registration instructions.
There will be a registration live webinar on March 10th from 6pm – 7pm.
Click on the button above to register for the live webinar. This webinar will allow us to walk you through the registration process live and be available to answer any questions. It is not mandatory for registration to attend the webinar.
This program is available to enrolled Mariposa County Unified School District and Sierra Foothill Charter School students. Schools will notify parents when registration is open, and announcements can be found on the Arts Council’s website and social media each spring.
FAQ
General Camp Information
- Q: What is the Art + Environmental Education Day Camp?
- A: It’s a place-based outdoor education program for students in grades TK-6th at Mariposa County Unified School District (MCUSD) and Sierra Foothill Charter School (SFCS). It’s a collaboration between the Mariposa County Arts Council, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, and MCUSD/SFCS Expanded Learning Opportunity Program.
- Q: When are the Spring and Summer Camps held?
- A: The Spring Camp is held during MCUSD/SFCS’s spring break (April 21st-25th, 2025), and the Summer Camp runs for six weeks (June 9th-July 18th, 2025).
- Q: Where is the camp located?
- A: The camp is based at Mariposa Elementary School (MES), with daily excursions to nearby locations like Mariposa Creek Parkway and weekly field trips to the Mariposa Library, Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s Stookey Preserve, and Yosemite Valley.
- Q: What is the age range for the camp?
- A: The camp is for students currently enrolled in or entering grades TK-6th. It is not open to students entering 7th grade.
- Q: Are meals provided?
- A: Yes, lunch and snacks are provided, but students can bring their own if they prefer.
- Q: What should students bring to camp?
- A: Students should bring their own full water bottles to camp every day.
- Q: Who can pick up my child from camp?
- A: Students can only be picked up by an authorized adult specified by the parent or main caregiver. Staff may request photo identification.
- Q: What if I need to pick up my child early?
- A: You need to make arrangements with the Program Coordinator at least 24 hours in advance. Early release is not allowed on Wednesdays due to the Yosemite field trip.
- Q: Will there be transportation for my child to and from camp?
- A: We are looking into that. More info coming soon.
Registration
- Q: When can I register my child?
- A: Registration applications are accepted from March 10th-21st, 2025, for both Spring and Summer Camps.
- Q: How do I register?
- A: A clickable link will go live on this webpage during open registration. Click the link and follow the instructions.
- Q: Do I have to register for the whole camp?
- A: No, you may register for different weeks as well as Spring or Summer only or any combination thereof.
- Q: How do I join the webinar?
- A: click on the link above on this page to register for the Zoom webinar on March 10th from 6pm – 7pm.
- Q: When will registration be confirmed?
- A: Each student’s registration will be confirmed a week after registration closes.
- Q: Who gets priority for enrollment?
- A: Students who are classified as Title 1 students receive first priority for enrollment.
- Q: Are there any orientation events?
- A: Yes, there are Camp Family Orientation Events: Spring Camp on April 18th and Summer Camp on May 23rd, 2025.
Field Trips
- Q: Where will the field trips be?
- A: Field trips include Mariposa Creek Parkway, Yosemite Valley, Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s Stookey Preserve, and the Mariposa Library.
- Q: Is transportation provided for field trips?
- A: Yes, transportation is provided by school bus.
- Q: What should I know about the Yosemite field trips?
- A: Wednesdays are reserved for Yosemite field trips.
Questions about 2025 Summer Day Camp?
Please contact June McCrory at june@sierrafoothill.org
“I was so thrilled to have my kids be able to learn outside, away from screens, and fully immersed in our natural world. Both of my children came home each day with beautiful art projects and a lot to share with me about what they learned that day. Thank you to all of the camp counselors, School staff, and the Mariposa Arts Council for making this a reality!”
2023 Day Camp Gallery
Click images to expand
This program is funded by the Mariposa County Unified School District (MCUSD) and Sierra Foothill Charter School.
