Summer Camp 2026 at Village Playgarden: A Season of Nature, Adventure, and Joy
Summer at Village Playgarden is one of the most special times of the year. The garden is full of life, the days are long and warm, and the children spend their time immersed in nature, creativity, and joyful outdoor play. I’m excited to share the details of our Village Playgarden Summer Programs for 2026, which include our beloved Summer in the Garden program for younger children and our adventurous Mountainside Summer Camp for older children.
Summer in the Garden (Ages 3–6)
June 15 – August 21 (10 weeks)
Our Summer in the Garden program is a gentle, nurturing summer experience designed for children ages 3–6. Led by our wonderful and experienced teachers Ms. Christine and Ms. Jasmin, this program follows the warm rhythms of Waldorf early childhood education while allowing children to enjoy the freedom and magic of summer.
The days are filled with simple, meaningful activities that nourish imagination and connection with nature. Children spend most of their time outdoors, enjoying the beauty of the garden and the surrounding natural environment.
During the summer weeks, children enjoy:
• Arts and crafts inspired by the season
• Outdoor play in our natural play spaces
• Water play on warm summer days
• Visits to the nearby farm
• Nature walks and garden time
• Longer hikes for the older children
Our teachers create a calm and joyful atmosphere where children feel safe, cared for, and free to explore. The program is intentionally unhurried, allowing children to form friendships, build confidence, and experience the simple pleasures of childhood.
This program is open to children ages 3–6 who are already enrolled in our school-year program.
If you are a current Village Playgarden family, please complete the short one-page form selecting the weeks you would like your child to attend:
https://villageplaygarden.org/summer-in-the-garden-forms
Please also email your summer dates as soon as possible so we can begin organizing the summer groups.
Mountainside Summer Camp (Ages 7–12)
June 15 – July 10
For older children, Village Playgarden offers one of the most exciting and unique summer camps in Los Angeles: Mountainside Summer Camp.
For four weeks each summer, I personally lead a Hiking and Beach Days Summer Camp designed for children ages 7–12 who love adventure, nature, and the outdoors.
I run this camp together with my good friend Ben Moran, a P.E. teacher and outdoor educator at Sequoyah School. Together, we bring over 30 years of experience each safely leading children on outdoor adventures.
This camp is incredibly fun and provides children with an amazing opportunity to build:
• Self-confidence
• Resilience
• Leadership and teamwork
• A deep connection with nature
Each day we head out on a real adventure. The children are either:
Hiking all day in the Angeles National Forest
or
Spending the day at the Malibu beaches
Children enroll for a minimum of two weeks, and Week 2 includes an overnight camping trip, which is often the highlight of the summer. Many children return year after year because of the friendships, confidence, and unforgettable memories they gain from the experience.
We are currently offering a $200 referral incentive for each youth you help us enroll.
If you know families with children ages 7–12 who might enjoy this incredible outdoor adventure, please let me know.
You can view details and photos from past camps here:
www.villageplaygarden.org/mountainside-summer-camp
Join Us for Summer 2026
At Village Playgarden, summer is about giving children what they need most: nature, friendship, creativity, movement, and joyful discovery.
Whether children are playing in the garden, visiting the farm, hiking in the mountains, or splashing in the ocean, our summer programs create experiences that stay with them for years.
We ask that current families fill out a short one-page form selecting the weeks you would like to attend.
We hope your family will join us for Summer 2026.
Warmly,
Papa Geoff
Director Village Playgarden