Mariposa Arts Council and Sierra Foothill Conservancy offer place-based arts and nature 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.
Spring Break Camp enrollment open February 23 – March 6th 2026. Summer Day Camp registration will be open April 10 – 26th.
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. The dates for the 2026 Day Camp sessions are:
- Spring Camp – April 6 – 10 (5 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 1 – June 15 – 18 (4 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 2 – June 22 – 26 (5 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 3 – June 29 – July 1 (3 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 4 – July 7 – 10 (4 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 5 – July 13 – 17 (5 days)
- Summer Camp/Week 6 – July 20 – 24 (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 images below to view past 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.
Andra Kovacs: Andra joined the Arts Council as the Programs, Projects & Executive Coordinator in 2024. In her professional life, she has worn many hats, with a background in youth education, office management, freelance and grant writing, various land work contracting and community organizing. Her curiosity about personal and collective resilience through storytelling led her to study Narrative Therapy at Marylhurst University, eventually earning a BA in Creative Writing from Linfield University. She is excited and honored to bring her diverse tools and skill set to support and uplift rural art and all its creativity, legacy and power.
June McCrory: Since moving from the coast to the Sierra Foothills in 2021, June has developed a deep affection for the scents and subtle hues of Mariposa’s trees, creeks, and meadows. A true “people person,” she brings 16 years of dynamic non-profit experience from Point Reyes Station and is excited to join the remarkable Sierra Foothill Conservancy team to advance the vital mission of preserving natural lands for now and forever.
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.
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 6 – 10 2026), and the Summer Camp runs for six weeks (June 15th-July 24th, 2026).
- 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 Yosemite field trip days.
- 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 for Spring Break camp are accepted from February 23 – March 6th. Summer Day Camp registration is from April 10th – 26th
- Q: How do I register?
- A: If you are a SFCS parent, the school will contact you for registration info. If you are a MCUSD parent, 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: When will registration be confirmed?
- A: Each student’s registration will be confirmed a week after registration closes.
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.
Questions about 2025 Summer Day Camp?
Please contact June McCrory at june@sierrafoothill.org or 209-742-5556
“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!”
2025 Day Camp Gallery
Click images to expand
This program is funded by the Mariposa County Unified School District (MCUSD) and Sierra Foothill Charter School.
