Disclosure: I began managing social media for Inside the Outdoors Foundation for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. I love working for them and do not charge them for their spot in this directory.

Go Directly to Inside the Outdoors Official Summer Camp Information and Registration

Affordable Outdoor Summer Camp That Grows with Your Child (Ages 6-18)

Inside the Outdoors is a unique, hands-on environmental education program administered by the Orange County Department of Education. Their mission is to empower students, teachers, parents, and the community to explore natural areas and expand their knowledge, understanding, and stewardship of the environment. Inside the Outdoors curriculum is designed to support the current California state standards and allows students to interact with these concepts in a real world setting.

Summer 2019 Cost
$210 per camper (5 hours per day from 9am-2pm)
Extra $75/week (2pm-4pm extended hours)
“Camperships” (scholarships) available

Inside the Outdoors Summer Day Camp Experiences
Summer Camp (6-11 years old)
Youth Leadership Camp (12-16 years old)
Junior Naturalist (16-18 year olds)

There can be no greater compliment to a Summer Camp than to have parents send their young child to return year after year until they are grown. Kourtney is one such child who progressed from Summer Camper to Junior Naturalist and now serves on the Youth Stewardship Council!

2019 Summer Camps Themes

Biggest, Brightest, Best Week Ever

This week will celebrate all the “est” of our natural world.

Summer campers will learn about the fastest, tallest, slimiest and most unique parts of our natural world through games, activities and crafts.

Scales, Feathers and Fur

This week is all about animals. We will meet animals, observe them, and celebrate all their adaptations and habitats. Campers will hike the local trails, explore the OC Zoo, meet some local species up close and personal, and take an OC Safari train ride.

Outdoor Superstars

This week will be all about skills that will make your time in the outdoors the best it can be. We will learn navigation and survival skills, make tools to help us learn and enjoy the outdoors.

Summer campers will learn to Leave No Trace but footprints and take nothing but memories.

Get Your Scientist On!

Explore what it’s like to be a scientist in different fields like Animal Biologist, Engineer, and Meteorologist with games, crafts, experiments and outdoor fun. Summer campers will conduct hands on experiments, collect data and make observations as they become junior scientists.

Summer campers will conduct hands on experiments, collect data and make observations as they become junior scientists.

Water Week

This week we will dive into the world of water with games, science and exploration of the wet stuff that we can’t live without. Summer campers will stay cool in the hot summer days while we explore the “what about water” all around us.

A Typical Day at Camp

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Campers dropped off and checked in with Naturalist. The campers will be separated into groups and meet their Naturalist.

9:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Campers review the activities for the day, sing songs and watch skits performed by the Naturalist.

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Activities and Games related to the theme of the week. Campers will have the chance to participate in a variety of outdoor games and hands-on activities.

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Lunch, including Garbology.

12:00 – 1:50 p.m. – More crafts and activities based on the theme for the week.

1:50 – 2:00 p.m. – Pick-up promptly at 2:00 p.m.! Please remember to bring your picture ID everyday. We will not release your child if you do not show picture ID.

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Extended Camp! For an extra TBD price per week, your campers can enjoy more activities, crafts, and games!

Inside the Outdoors programs take lessons from the classroom and create fun, unforgettable hands-on experiences about science and nature. These are powerful moments that leave children with a lifelong enthusiasm for the environment.