Fern Grove Cooperative Learning

Fern Grove Cooperative Learning offers academic year programming and Summer Camp 2026 for ages 3-10. The academic year program includes arrival and game time, snack and free play, opening circle, two activities, a hike, lunch, circle time and reading, and free play at pick-up. Academic year programming meets Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with locations that change monthly during the academic year.

Programs

• Academic Year Programming — 3-10 · Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am-3:00 pm · Nomadic locations around Santa Cruz County (rotating monthly); two-day-per-week minimum for the remainder of the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Summer Camp 2026 — 3-10 · Limited spaces available.

At a glance

• Ages: 3–10 years old
• Current session: 2026-2027 Academic Year (Sep 8–May 27, 2027)
• General schedule: Academic year programming meets Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am-3:00 pm. Locations change monthly throughout the academic year. Daily rhythm: 9:00 Arrival and Game; 9:30 Snack and Free Play; 10:00 Opening Circle; 10:30 Activity #1; 11:00 Hike; 11:30 Activity #2 in Location; 12:00 Lunch + Free Play; 1:00 Circle Time + Reading; 2:00 Hike Back; 2:30-3:00 Free Play + Pick-Up.

About the provider

Fern Grove Cooperative Learning states a mission of "Inclusive. Nature-Based. Cooperative. Learning." The program values anti-bias learning and earth stewardship, and it is based in Santa Cruz, California with various locations around Santa Cruz County. The leadership team includes Sarah Amadei, Co-Founder and Lead Teacher of the Ferns; Caryn Hewlett, Co-Founder and Co-Lead Teacher of the Fiddleheads; Kirra McColl; and Indigo Holley.

6:1 student-teacher ratio. There is a two-day-per-week minimum for the remainder of the 2025-2026 academic year. Registration for the 2026-2027 Academic Year is open. There is a non-refundable deposit of one month’s tuition due within 7 days of completing enrollment paperwork; this deposit will be used as the final month’s tuition. Monthly tuition costs are calculated for 39 program weeks, which includes holiday closures.

Last updated September 22, 2026.