Happy Hall Schools Outdoor Education Programs
233 Santa Inez Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066
About
Happy Hall Schools Outdoor Education Programs take place in expansive outdoor playscapes at Happy Hall Schools, where children take part in immersive, hands-on, and active experiences. The programs follow a philosophy of experiential learning that connects classroom insights with outdoor experiences and focuses on emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development. The camp component of the programs is offered at Meadows, Ortega, and Sunset Ridge campuses.
• Ages: 3–12 years old
• Schedule: Program options are available Monday–Friday, with most sites open from early morning to early evening.
Happy Hall Schools began its educational work in 1951, with its first official educational facility established in 1962. The current leadership team includes Executive Director/Partner Rachel Heck, Ty Durekas, and Anne Baronia, with Taylor White serving as Director of Operations. The organization’s history also includes founders Ruth and Leroy Hall and former Executive Director and owner Mary Lou Johnson in the 1970s, and leadership expansion when Anne Baronia joined in 2016 and Ty Durekas joined in 2018. Rachel Heck holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and Education from Notre Dame de Namur University, where she graduated summa cum laude, and she is pursuing an MBA at San Francisco State University, while Taylor White holds a B.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State University. The mission of Happy Hall Schools centers on experiential learning, with programs that are described as meticulously designed to nurture emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development through immersive, hands-on, and active experiences. Happy Hall Schools highlights a legacy of educational excellence since 1951, a focus on social-emotional growth, diversity and inclusion, innovative curriculum, safety and well-being, community engagement, holistic education, and a history of integrating modern technology into school operations and curriculum.
Happy Hall Schools emphasizes community engagement and well-being through regular family-oriented events and support programs, and Executive Director/Partner Rachel Heck previously served full-time in AmeriCorps with Habitat for Humanity, working with families to build homes. One parent, Nara K., reports feeling “incredibly lucky” to have found Happy Hall, describing staff who welcomed their family, noting growth in their child’s confidence, social skills, and engagement, and stating that the program focuses on each child’s strengths and needs and “go beyond academics, helping kids develop respect and kindness toward others.”
Last updated April 7, 2026.
• Ages: 3–12 years old
• Schedule: Program options are available Monday–Friday, with most sites open from early morning to early evening.
Happy Hall Schools began its educational work in 1951, with its first official educational facility established in 1962. The current leadership team includes Executive Director/Partner Rachel Heck, Ty Durekas, and Anne Baronia, with Taylor White serving as Director of Operations. The organization’s history also includes founders Ruth and Leroy Hall and former Executive Director and owner Mary Lou Johnson in the 1970s, and leadership expansion when Anne Baronia joined in 2016 and Ty Durekas joined in 2018. Rachel Heck holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and Education from Notre Dame de Namur University, where she graduated summa cum laude, and she is pursuing an MBA at San Francisco State University, while Taylor White holds a B.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State University. The mission of Happy Hall Schools centers on experiential learning, with programs that are described as meticulously designed to nurture emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development through immersive, hands-on, and active experiences. Happy Hall Schools highlights a legacy of educational excellence since 1951, a focus on social-emotional growth, diversity and inclusion, innovative curriculum, safety and well-being, community engagement, holistic education, and a history of integrating modern technology into school operations and curriculum.
Happy Hall Schools emphasizes community engagement and well-being through regular family-oriented events and support programs, and Executive Director/Partner Rachel Heck previously served full-time in AmeriCorps with Habitat for Humanity, working with families to build homes. One parent, Nara K., reports feeling “incredibly lucky” to have found Happy Hall, describing staff who welcomed their family, noting growth in their child’s confidence, social skills, and engagement, and stating that the program focuses on each child’s strengths and needs and “go beyond academics, helping kids develop respect and kindness toward others.”
Last updated April 7, 2026.
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