Wild Creatures, Bow and Skills

Wild Creatures, Bows & Skills includes activities such as shooting a bow and arrow, doing archery, going on fun hikes, and adventuring in hills and woodlands. Participants meet local wild animals during animal visits, look for frogs, go on a mushroom walk to learn the basics of local mushroom identification, and learn about wild edible plants. The program also includes tracking, practicing wilderness skills, playing games that enhance stealth skills, stealth and awareness games, carving, fishing, catching fish, swimming, inventing games, making toys out of natural found objects, and nature-based crafts and projects such as gathering plants to dye a camp t-shirt, dyeing a shirt with berries, creating natural dyes with berries, planting trees, clearing brush, making a fire by friction, eating wild plants, making a meal out of wild plants, and learning how to turn a piece of wood into an instrument, along with playing, listening, laughing, singing, and hiking.

• Ages: 6–12 years old
• Schedule: Multiple weeklong sessions are offered throughout the summer, 9am–3pm daily
• Price: Tuition Per Session Rate A: $798 $726, Rate B: $676 $615, Rate C: $575 $523

Vilda, the organization running Wild Creatures, Bows & Skills, started in Fairfax, California in 2008 and has been running programs since then. The program uses a badge system that includes attainment of badges. Vilda states that it is dedicated to facilitating meaningful connection to the natural world. Vilda is a 501c(3) non-profit and offers nature education, youth programs, homeschool programs, and summer camps in Fairfax, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Point Reyes, Novato, Petaluma, Tahoe, Truckee, Sonoma, and Marin County. The founder is named Mia.

Parent feedback about Vilda includes comments such as a child saying her favorite part of camp was “EVERYTHING,” a parent noticing their children “wide open and noticing nature so much more,” and another parent stating that “Vilda is officially my son’s favorite camp ever.”

Last updated December 16, 2025.