Join us for this 4-day camp to learn many of the ancestral skills and practices people have used for thousands of years. Experience the beauty of Big Oak Canyon while participating in fun, hands-on activities like animal tracking, bird language, gourd crafting, edible and medicinal plants, and archery.
Big Oak Canyon is a 39-acre property located on the shared ancestral lands of the Juañeno Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation, as well as the neighboring Tongva/Gabrieleño and Payómkawichum/Luiseño tribes in Silverado Canyon.
Each day of camp will be filled with activities that foster a deeper connection to the natural world and to one another. If you’re a kid who loves crafts, outdoor adventures, and immersing yourself in nature, this camp is for you. Enjoy songs, games, stories, and plenty of exploring each day!
- Monday – TRACKING AND BIRD LANGUAGE
- Tuesday – GOURD CRAFTS
- Wednesday – PLANTS FOR FOOD AND MEDICINE
- Thursday – ARCHERY
Camp Details
Who: Ages 8-14
When: Monday, June 23 – Thursday, June 26 | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Big Oak Canyon (Silverado Canyon)
Price for 4-Day Camp: $330 | $315 sibling
What to bring
- Water in a reusable water bottle
- Personal snacks and a lunch
- Hat and sunscreen
Scholarships Available
Earthroots is committed to creating nature connection opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) participants and families in need.
Meet the Instructors
Macy Pilkington
Macy Pilkington is all about empowering children to trust themselves, to trust each other, and to trust that the world is beautiful and safe. This southern California native grew up in the shadow of Saddleback Mountain. As soon as she could drive, the canyons became her sanctuary. Her search for nature led her to spend countless nights under the stars in Holy Jim Canyon, hiking the trails around Blackstar, and admiring the rural charm of Modjeska and Silverado canyons.
Deepening her skills in youth education, outreach, and empowerment on a permaculture farm in Hawaii, Macy had the opportunity to become focused on her personal objective of finding new and inventive ways to help steward our beautiful planet. At Earthroots Macy is excited to use her experience and love of nature to inspire families to relax into the world around them, to deepen their skills of observation, and to never stop asking questions. She believes that the best way to heal our planet is to empower children with love and nurturing for themselves and the ground beneath their feet.
Bella Guarascio
Bella grew up camping, hiking, and exploring beautiful Southern California with her family, which led to an immense appreciation of our natural world and all it has to offer. She is always looking to expand her knowledge on plants and animals and absolutely loves to find new trails that lead her to magical views she’s never witnessed before. She has always been passionate about teaching children and is currently working toward earning her degree in Early Childhood Education. At Earthroots, she enjoys combining these two passions and looks forward to guiding the students and learning alongside them every day.