What Makes a Great Summer Day Camp?
Confidence, Curiosity, and STEM in the Outdoors
Camp Pollock, Sacramento, CA
Campers learn about adaptations (special physical or behavioral traits that help an animal survive)
For parents, choosing a summer day camp is more than filling the calendar; it’s about finding a place where children feel safe, inspired, and excited to learn while growing into confident, curious humans.
At Sierra Nevada Journeys, our Summer Day Camps in Reno, at the Rosewood Nature Area, and Sacramento, at the Sacramento Valley Conservancy’s Camp Pollock, are designed to do exactly that. Through outdoor education and hands-on STEM learning, kids experience a summer that supports learning, connection, and joy.
What Is a Summer Day Camp at Sierra Nevada Journeys?
Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Summer Day Camp is a week-long, outdoor, STEM-based program for children ages 6–12 that blends science, nature, and social learning into a meaningful summer experience.
Campers can expect:
Weekly sessions with engaging, age-appropriate themes
Structured daily schedules with a balance of learning and play
Outdoor learning spaces with shade and access to nature
Small group environments led by trained educators and counselors
Activities designed to meet kids where they are developmentally
Camps run during standard daytime hours, allowing children to return home each afternoon while still experiencing the benefits of outdoor education and camp community.
What Does a Typical Day at Camp Look Like?
Each day at Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Summer Day Camp is thoughtfully structured to provide consistency while leaving room for curiosity and fun.
A typical day includes:
Morning arrival and community-building activities
Hands-on STEM lessons tied to the weekly theme
Outdoor exploration and nature-based learning
Water play and movement-based activities
Camper choice periods that encourage independence
Reflection, group connection, and closing activities
Rosewood Nature Area, Reno, NV
Day campers work together creating art based on what they observed on their nature walk.
This rhythm helps children feel secure while encouraging them to try new things, ask questions, and engage deeply with their surroundings.
Why Is Outdoor Day Camp Good for Kids?
Outdoor day camp supports the whole child: academically, emotionally, and socially.
Research shows outdoor education helps children:
Improve focus, creativity, and problem-solving skills
Reduce stress and support emotional regulation
Increase physical activity and overall well-being
Stay engaged and motivated during the summer months
At Sierra Nevada Journeys, outdoor learning is intentional and educator-led. Nature becomes a classroom where kids explore scientific concepts through real experiences rather than screens or worksheets.
How Does STEM Learning Work at Day Camp?
STEM learning at Sierra Nevada Journeys is hands-on, inquiry-based, and accessible. Children learn science, technology, engineering, and math through exploration rather than memorization.
Depending on the weekly theme, campers may:
Investigate ecosystems and environmental science
Conduct simple experiments and test ideas
Work through engineering challenges as a team
Use observation and data collection skills in nature
Apply math concepts through real-world problem solving
This approach builds confidence and helps children see themselves as capable thinkers and learners. And, it’s fun!
Where Are Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Summer Day Camps Located?
Sierra Nevada Journeys offers Summer Day Camp programs in both Reno, Nevada and Sacramento, California, expanding access to high-quality outdoor education across Northern California and Northern Nevada.
Both locations offer:
Multiple weeks of camp throughout the summer
Consistent programming rooted in Sierra Nevada Journeys’ mission
Safe, welcoming environments for diverse learners
Experienced staff trained in outdoor education and youth development
Instructors and counselors are background and fingerprint checked, CPR and First Aid certified
Families can choose the location and weeks that best fit their schedule.
How Are Safety and Supervision Handled?
Parents want to know their children are safe, supported, and well cared for.
Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Summer Day Camps are staffed by trained educators and counselors who prioritize:
Clear supervision and age-appropriate group sizes
Outdoor safety protocols and daily routines
Inclusive, respectful environments
Positive behavior guidance and relationship-building
Programs are designed to help kids feel secure, seen, and supported throughout the day.
Is Summer Day Camp More Than Childcare?
Yes. While day camp provides reliable, structured care, its impact goes far beyond supervision.
Children gain:
Confidence from trying new activities
Social skills through teamwork and collaboration
Independence through choice and responsibility
A stronger connection to nature and learning
Parents often share that their children return home more confident, curious, and excited about learning, outcomes that last well beyond summer.
Who Is Summer Day Camp Best For?
Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Summer Day Camp is ideal for families who value:
Outdoor learning and nature connection
STEM education that feels engaging and hands-on
Programs that support social and emotional growth
A balance of structure, creativity, and fun
Whether a child is new to camp or returning year after year, programs are designed to welcome a wide range of interests and learning styles.
How Do Families Learn More or Register?
Registration is open for Summer Day Camp in Reno and Sacramento, with multiple weeks available throughout the summer.
Parents can explore:
Weekly themes and schedules
Camp locations and age ranges
Program expectations and FAQs
Visit Science Programs for Students to learn more about our science programs, and register your students for their summer adventure at the links below!
A Summer That Matters
Summer doesn’t have to mean learning loss or endless screen time. With Sierra Nevada Journeys, it becomes a season of exploration, confidence, and growth.
Give your child a summer where learning happens outdoors, friendships are built naturally, and curiosity leads the way.
Why Grown-Ups Need Camp Too
There’s something magical about summer camp.
Group games on opening night of Grown-Up Getaway Camp
Maybe it’s the smoky scent of a campfire or the echo of laughter across a pond. Maybe it’s the feeling of stepping into a world where the only thing on your to-do list is play. For so many of us, camp was where we first felt freedom, friendship, and the thrill of trying something new.
But at some point, life got louder, and the joy of camp faded into a distant memory.
That’s why we created Grown-Up Getaway Camp.
Rediscover Joy. Reclaim Time.
Grown-Up Getaway Camp is a three-day, all-inclusive weekend for adults who are craving something more than just another vacation. It’s a chance to step out of your routine and into the rhythm of nature, connection, and a little bit of silliness.
It’s where you’ll find:
Yoga at sunrise, birding in the forest, and hikes to the “Bald Spot”
Slip-n-slide kickball, Gaga ball, and archery (yes, you can hit the target)
Sip n’ paint with a local artist, gourmet meals in the lodge, and spontaneous dance parties under the stars
Real beds. Real conversations. Real camp magic.
We’ve blended the very best of childhood summer camp with grown-up comforts. You’ll wake up to birdsong, not email. You’ll laugh until your cheeks hurt. You’ll remember what it feels like to just be.
Connection You Can’t Force
Whether you come solo or with a group, you’ll find a welcoming community of people who are ready to unplug, open up, and embrace fun for fun’s sake. At camp, titles and job descriptions melt away. Everyone is just … a camper.
Our small size (only 125 spots available) means there’s room to connect without feeling overwhelmed. You’ll share meals, stories, and maybe a few s’mores with people who get it — people who are also looking for meaning, laughter, and a break from “real life.”
A Weekend With Purpose
Here’s the best part: while you’re having the time of your life, you’re also making a difference.
Grown-Up Getaway Camp is a fundraiser for Sierra Nevada Journeys, a nonprofit dedicated to providing outdoor science education to students across Northern Nevada and Northern California. Many of the students we serve come from underserved communities and would never get the chance to experience camp without financial assistance.
Your weekend under the stars helps send them to camp.
You’ll leave feeling lighter, more grounded, and reconnected — not just with yourself, but with a mission that matters.
Join us August 15–17, 2025.
No stress. No spreadsheets. Just sunshine, community, and a little splash of childhood joy.
Camp is calling. We think you should answer.
sierranevadajourneys.org/grownup
Learn archery at camp
Zip line through the trees
Paint n’ sip with artist Liz Swindell from The Lost Sierra Region
Lounge poolside while DJ Braidz spins the ultimate summer vibes
Inaugural Grown-Up Getaway campers from 2024
Hospitality guru and culinary master Chef Kyle is dishing out your camp favorites — fresh and full of flavor