Wild Child San Diego Nature School
Public parks around West County and East County (San Diego), 1008 Santa Clara Pl, San Diego, CA 92109
About
Wild Child San Diego Nature School offers activities such as swimming at the bay in the summer months, hiking, and gardening. Children also take part in 3D printing, rocket science, Lego building, chess, and arts and crafts. The program runs year round as an outdoor nature camp and is drop off only.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Year round enrollment with customizable hours and partial week enrollment between 8:30–3 for full day or 8:30–12:30 for half day programs; early drop at 7:30 and late pickup available; Summer Camp 2026 registration open
• Price: Early drop at 7:30 for $30 extra; late pickup for $14 per 30-minute increment
Wild Child San Diego Nature School is a 501(c)3 non-profit nature enrichment program and is described as San Diego’s first non-profit 501(c)(3) nature school. The program is permitted and insured, and it runs year round, rain or shine, with a schedule of locations that is pre-planned and pre-permitted. Students each bring a small backpack with a water bottle and lunch, and a small folding camping toilet comes with the group in addition to access to park restrooms. Students are required to wear life jackets when swimming at the bay, and parents are reminded to send rain wear when rain is expected and to check the weather app when getting their child ready.
Lessons at Wild Child San Diego Nature School are directed through the curiosity of the students and use the surrounding nature along with Montessori and Waldorf teaching strategies for math, letters, reading, science, emotional and social development, and creating art. The curriculum follows California State Standards for teaching kindergarten without standardized tests, and the teaching style is heavily influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach. The program focuses on social and emotional development, grit, and growth mindset, and it supports homeschool and charter school children in academic tutoring when parents request it. The nature school moves to different locations each day, rain or shine, and the day camp moves to different playgrounds with trail access each day. The program encourages risky play and allows students to test their boundaries, such as climbing trees with teacher support.
Wild Child San Diego Nature School has a Littles group for ages 18 months–2.5 years that includes nap time, and a Bigs group for ages 3–10 in a whole group setting, with the Littles group separate but at the same park. Each child has an age group lead teacher assigned, while early drop and after care teachers are shared. The program uses a small camping toilet that folds and comes with the group, along with access to park restrooms. Interested parents can participate in a child-free shadow of the program with a completed background check, and the director can be contacted by text or call to schedule a trial day.
Wild Child Summer Camp started in June 2022, and the 2022–2023 fall–spring year was the first year-long program, beginning with 5 students and 3 teachers. As of the time described, the program has three separate groups, seven teachers, and fifty students, some of whom attend part time. The origin of the program is rooted in creating an outdoor classroom after working in a windowless private kindergarten classroom, and the first summer camp was held at Mission Bay with fun activities and a splash.
Wild Child San Diego Nature School is led by Founder, Director, and Original Lead Teacher Ms. Sarina. The leadership and teaching team includes Ms. Yalia, Mr. Jasper, Ms. Chula (Froglets Teacher), Ms. Sami (Pollywogs Teacher), Ms. Riley (Pollywogs Teacher), Ms. Grace (Substitute Teacher), and Ms. Emily (Substitute Teacher, Poison Dart Frogs Teacher). Teachers are experienced in outdoor exploration and learning and are trained in first aid, CPR, and emergency situation protocols. The founder, Ms. Sarina, has a Masters in Teaching, a B.S. in Biology, Early Childhood Education credits, and completed Point Loma Nazarene University’s teacher training program where she completed the MAT; she has taught preschool, kindergarten, second, and third grade in a traditional setting and has experience supporting students with mild to moderate disabilities with formal training for that purpose. Ms. Yalia has over five years of experience working with children, graduated from UCSB with a BA in Global Studies and a BA in Spanish, and has Early Childhood Education credits from San Diego Community Colleges. Mr. Jasper has extensive experience working with kids of all ages, worked at the San Diego Safari Park Education Department facilitating overnight adventures for schools and private groups, and served as an instructor at The Institute for Effective Education’s Mt Helix Academy, where he developed and implemented curriculum for the Physical Education Program, coordinated the aftercare program, and taught after-school clubs in gardening, zoology, 3D printing, rocket science, Lego building, chess, and arts and crafts.
Last updated June 10, 2026.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Year round enrollment with customizable hours and partial week enrollment between 8:30–3 for full day or 8:30–12:30 for half day programs; early drop at 7:30 and late pickup available; Summer Camp 2026 registration open
• Price: Early drop at 7:30 for $30 extra; late pickup for $14 per 30-minute increment
Wild Child San Diego Nature School is a 501(c)3 non-profit nature enrichment program and is described as San Diego’s first non-profit 501(c)(3) nature school. The program is permitted and insured, and it runs year round, rain or shine, with a schedule of locations that is pre-planned and pre-permitted. Students each bring a small backpack with a water bottle and lunch, and a small folding camping toilet comes with the group in addition to access to park restrooms. Students are required to wear life jackets when swimming at the bay, and parents are reminded to send rain wear when rain is expected and to check the weather app when getting their child ready.
Lessons at Wild Child San Diego Nature School are directed through the curiosity of the students and use the surrounding nature along with Montessori and Waldorf teaching strategies for math, letters, reading, science, emotional and social development, and creating art. The curriculum follows California State Standards for teaching kindergarten without standardized tests, and the teaching style is heavily influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach. The program focuses on social and emotional development, grit, and growth mindset, and it supports homeschool and charter school children in academic tutoring when parents request it. The nature school moves to different locations each day, rain or shine, and the day camp moves to different playgrounds with trail access each day. The program encourages risky play and allows students to test their boundaries, such as climbing trees with teacher support.
Wild Child San Diego Nature School has a Littles group for ages 18 months–2.5 years that includes nap time, and a Bigs group for ages 3–10 in a whole group setting, with the Littles group separate but at the same park. Each child has an age group lead teacher assigned, while early drop and after care teachers are shared. The program uses a small camping toilet that folds and comes with the group, along with access to park restrooms. Interested parents can participate in a child-free shadow of the program with a completed background check, and the director can be contacted by text or call to schedule a trial day.
Wild Child Summer Camp started in June 2022, and the 2022–2023 fall–spring year was the first year-long program, beginning with 5 students and 3 teachers. As of the time described, the program has three separate groups, seven teachers, and fifty students, some of whom attend part time. The origin of the program is rooted in creating an outdoor classroom after working in a windowless private kindergarten classroom, and the first summer camp was held at Mission Bay with fun activities and a splash.
Wild Child San Diego Nature School is led by Founder, Director, and Original Lead Teacher Ms. Sarina. The leadership and teaching team includes Ms. Yalia, Mr. Jasper, Ms. Chula (Froglets Teacher), Ms. Sami (Pollywogs Teacher), Ms. Riley (Pollywogs Teacher), Ms. Grace (Substitute Teacher), and Ms. Emily (Substitute Teacher, Poison Dart Frogs Teacher). Teachers are experienced in outdoor exploration and learning and are trained in first aid, CPR, and emergency situation protocols. The founder, Ms. Sarina, has a Masters in Teaching, a B.S. in Biology, Early Childhood Education credits, and completed Point Loma Nazarene University’s teacher training program where she completed the MAT; she has taught preschool, kindergarten, second, and third grade in a traditional setting and has experience supporting students with mild to moderate disabilities with formal training for that purpose. Ms. Yalia has over five years of experience working with children, graduated from UCSB with a BA in Global Studies and a BA in Spanish, and has Early Childhood Education credits from San Diego Community Colleges. Mr. Jasper has extensive experience working with kids of all ages, worked at the San Diego Safari Park Education Department facilitating overnight adventures for schools and private groups, and served as an instructor at The Institute for Effective Education’s Mt Helix Academy, where he developed and implemented curriculum for the Physical Education Program, coordinated the aftercare program, and taught after-school clubs in gardening, zoology, 3D printing, rocket science, Lego building, chess, and arts and crafts.
Last updated June 10, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.