2024 Mountain of Fun Summer Camps

Hawk Life

Unplugged, Outdoors and Active!

2024 Camp Details

Redwood Horse Program
Forest Play
Nature Crafts
Low Ropes
Hands-On Science Experiments
Cooking and Baking
Organic Gardening

Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:30pm

Transportation available from Aptos, Corralitos, Gilroy and Morgan Hill

Every camper receives a T-shirt!

Register your child in Mount Madonna School’s Mountain of Fun summer day camps! Explore our 380-acre campus, nestled in the redwood forest of Mount Madonna, just a few miles down the road from Mount Madonna County Park between Gilroy and Watsonville. Take a virtual tour of Mount Madonna School, or contact us today to schedule a personal tour.

Questions? Contact the Summer Program Director.

Each camp program encourages and promotes creativity, cooperation and community building; and helps to foster campers’ self-discovery, empathy and compassion in action. Campers will develop their social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills while building lasting friendships in an outdoor setting!

MMS follows all COVID safety precautions and guidelines as directed from the CDC, the State of California, as well as the local health department. All programs are taught by experienced teachers.

Transportation (additional fees apply) is available from Aptos, Corralitos, Gilroy and Morgan Hill.

Campers remain on the school campus all day; or may choose to add on a half-day horsemanship program (additional fees apply) at Mt. Madonna Stables (located just down the road from campus – transportation is included with this portion of the program).

Please choose from the following based on your child’s age:

Nature Explorers, ages 3-6

Session 1 – Under the Sea

June 24 – July 3 (8 days) $795

Session 2 – Fairy Tales and Dragons

July 8 – July 19 (10 days) $995

Session 3 – Wild Animals

July 22 – August 2 (10 days) $995

Daily activities will include hiking, garden time, story circles, yoga, Montessori lessons, baking, arts and crafts, similar to our year-round preschool and led by our fully qualified preschool teachers.

This program offers a unique balance of Montessori-inspired learning and discovery through a play-based education. We guide each child’s unique path of development with intentional lessons based on the child’s curiosity, creativity and imagination. Daily hikes in the redwood forest bring awareness to children’s senses through a practice of mindfulness and an appreciation of the beauty that surrounds around us. The sights, sounds and smells of the forest spark curiosity and wonder for our natural world. In our outdoor classroom and children’s organic gardens, we learn hands-on life science and a respect for our environment and all living things. Daily activities will include hiking, garden time, story circles, yoga, Montessori lessons, baking, arts and crafts.

Mountain Explorers, ages 6-9

Weeks of:

July 15, July 22 (SOLD OUT) and July 29

$425/week

Elementary aged campers will have the opportunity to experience a week of no-screen time with plenty of outdoor exploration, gardening, arts, crafts and story time. Each week, families are invited to the Family Friday hour (2:30-3:15pm) to see the campers’ creations and for a glimpse into the program.

Daily activities will center around the beautiful natural environment with hiking and play in the redwood forest. Campers will create art using a variety of mediums to produce their own pieces and share in collaborative works. They will experience the joy of harvesting from the Mount Madonna School children’s garden and preparing food from their bounty. Children will learn about yoga and mindfulness, and have time to practice self-awareness, reflection and self-expression. Performing arts, singing, storytelling and creative writing will foster positive character development through the exploration of friendships, right actions and kindness.

Activities include:

Forest Play & Hiking
Crafting & Art Projects
Gardening & Baking
Yoga & Mindfulness
Storytelling & Performing Arts
Friday Family Art Show

(or join the wait-list for the week of July 22)

Redwood Explorers: Outdoor Wilderness Survival Camp, ages 9-13

Week of: July 15 (SOLD OUT)

$395/week

Daily activities will center around the beautiful natural environment with exploration in the redwood forest. Activities for campers will include low ropes, team building, a wilderness obstacle course, hiking, astronomy, wood chopping and one overnight camping experience! On the last day of camp, families are invited to the Family Friday hour (2:30-3:15pm) to see the campers’ creations and for a glimpse into the program.

(or join the wait-list for the week of July 15)

Redwood Explorers: Creative Arts Impact Camp, ages 9-13

Week of: July 22
$395/week

This camp will feature rock band, hiking, culinary arts – including kitchen time, garden activities and more – visual, digital and performing arts and nature art. Campers will have a small, safe social circle of friends for active fun and creative activities with opportunities each day to explore the mountain away from computer screens. On the last day of camp, families are invited to the Family Friday hour (2:30-3:15pm) to see the campers’ creations and for a glimpse into the program.

Half-day Horseback Riding Lessons, ages 7-13*

*Age by July 1, 2024

Weeks of: July 22 (SOLD OUT) and July 22 (SOLD OUT)

Half-day option only; add $295 to MMS summer camp tuition
Children ages 7-13 are invited to enjoy a half-day of learning about horses at Mt. Madonna Stables.

The half-day program requires enrollment in a full-day summer program at MMS. Transportation between MMS and the stables is provided by MMS. All riders will be picked up at MMS and brought to the stables, and driven back to MMS after their lesson. The stables will provide all riding equipment, including pre-assigned helmets. Riders must wear closed-toe shoes.

Activities include: