FAQs

We’re a nature-based learning program rooted in San Diego’s beaches, canyons, and open spaces. We offer outdoor education programming for children and families - including our Summer Camps, the Nature School Co-op, Play Days & Family Nights, and the Educator Collective.

Every program we run is designed around the belief that children grow best when they’re connected to the natural world. We slow things down, go outside, and let curiosity lead the way.

Our Summer Camps are currently designed for children ages 4-9. Each camp theme is thoughtfully structured for that age group’s developmental stage and physical readiness for outdoor activity.

If you’re unsure whether your child’s age is a good fit, reach out before enrolling- we’re always happy to talk it through.

We keep our groups intentionally small - a maximum of 10 participants per session. Small groups mean more individual attention, stronger relationships, and a more meaningful outdoor experience for every child.

Our camps take place at outdoor sites across San Diego County including beaches, canyon trails, and open natural spaces. The specific location for each camp is shared in your welcome email after enrollment is complete.

We scout every site in advance and complete a safety assessment before each session. If conditions at a site ever raise concerns, we’re prepared to adapt or relocate.

It’s a straightforward process:

1. Find your preferred camp on our Summer Camp page and click the product to read the full description.

2. Complete the participant information form on the product page.

3. Click Add to Cart and complete checkout to pay and secure your spot.

4. Within minutes of purchase, you’ll receive a DocuSign enrollment packet by email. This contains five sections including a liability waiver, health and allergy information, sunscreen authorization, and a medication form. Three sections require a parent/guardian signature.

5. Inside the DocuSign packet you’ll also be asked to upload your child’s current immunization record.

6. Once all forms are signed and the immunization record is received, our Director will send you a personal welcome email confirming your child’s enrollment.

Your DocuSign enrollment packet will arrive within minutes of your purchase - it’s automated. Please check your inbox (and spam folder just in case) for an email with subject: “Action required: Sign your child’s camp enrollment forms.”

Once you’ve completed all forms and uploaded the immunization record, our Director will typically send your welcome confirmation within 1–2 business days.

Absolutely. Add each child’s camp to your cart separately and complete checkout as one transaction. You’ll receive one DocuSign packet per child. If you have questions about sibling discounts, reach out before purchasing.

When a camp reaches maximum enrollment, it’s automatically marked Sold Out on the website. If you see a waitlist link, submit that form with your child’s name and age and the camp you’re hoping for.

We’ll contact waitlisted families in the order they signed up if a spot becomes available. We recommend also checking our other camp themes - all camps run the same program season.

We know it feels like a lot - and we appreciate your patience. Every form in the enrollment packet serves a real purpose: the health history helps our facilitators keep your child safe, the liability waiver is required by California law for programs like ours, the sunscreen authorization is required by California Health & Safety Code for camp staff to apply sunscreen, and the vaccination record is required by California.

We use DocuSign so everything is electronic, signable on your phone, and completed in one sitting - most families finish in about 10 minutes.

As a California nature program, we are required by state law to verify that all participants are current on their vaccinations before their first session. This protects every child in the group.

Accepted records include: your child’s California Yellow Card, a printout from the CAIR2 immunization registry at cair2.cdph.ca.gov, or a printed summary from your child’s pediatrician’s patient portal.

If you have questions about your child’s vaccination status or need to access records, the CAIR2 website is a free and fast way to look them up.

Your child’s spot is held once payment is received, but they cannot attend their first session until all signed forms and the vaccination record are on file with our Director.

DocuSign will send you an automatic reminder if your forms are still unsigned after 48 hours. If you’re having trouble with the digital forms, just reach out - we’re happy to help.

Every session is an adventure - and every day looks a little different depending on the camp theme and what nature offers us that day. Here’s a general structure:

•  Drop-off and check-in - each child is confirmed on our roster and receives their color-coded lanyard

•  Morning circle - group intentions, safety reminders, and a peek at the day’s theme

•  Outdoor exploration and STEM activities - the heart of the session

•  Snack and rest break

•  Free discovery time - child-led, facilitator-supported

•  Reflection and closing circle

•  Pickup - lanyards collected, notes shared with families

To set your child up for a great session, please pack:

•  Comfortable, closed-toe shoes appropriate for trails and uneven terrain

•  Weather-appropriate clothing - layers are your friend in San Diego

•  A hat with a brim

•  Sunscreen applied before arrival (SPF 30+). Staff are authorized to re-apply during sessions with parent permission on file.

•  A full water bottle - we recommend at least 16 oz per 2 hours of activity

•  A snack in a container

•  Any required medications in a labeled container, along with a completed Medication Authorization form

•  A light backpack to carry their things

Please avoid sending: electronics, toys from home, flip flops or sandals, or open-toed shoes.

San Diego weather is generally wonderful - but we take air quality, heat, and wildfire smoke seriously. We check AQI readings from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District before every session.

If the AQI is above 150 (Unhealthy) or if wildfire smoke is visible at the site, we will cancel or relocate the session. You’ll be notified by email at least one hour before the session start time, and a session credit will be applied to your account.

Every lead facilitator working with participants holds current CPR/AED/First Aid certification and, depending on the session environment, Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification. All staff and educators undergo a California DOJ and FBI background check before working with any participant.

We take allergies seriously and we want every child to participate safely. Here’s how we handle it:

•  You’ll provide full allergy and emergency treatment information in your enrollment forms

•  Our facilitators are briefed on every participant’s allergy status before each session

•  If your child carries an EpiPen, please bring it labeled in a case with written instructions every session day

•  Snacks are nut-free and peanut-free at all sessions

We encourage you to reach out before enrolling if your child has a severe or complex allergy - we want to talk through how we’ll keep them safe.

We understand that plans change. Here’s how our cancellation policy works:

•  7 days or more days before camp starts: Full refund (Processing fee deducted)

•  3-6 days before camp starts: 50% refund

•  Fewer than 2 days before camp starts: No refund. A session credit may be offered at Director discretion.

•  If The Salty Sunflower cancels a session for any reason (weather, safety, or otherwise): a pro-rated refund.

To request a cancellation, email us at admin@thesaltysunflowersd.com. Our full Cancellation & Refund Policy is available on this website.