Days and Times: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Weeks: Each week of the summer from June 16 to August 22
Meeting Place: Parents or caregivers deliver and pick up Sprouts at each day’s destination, TBD
Group size: Six children with two adult Taproot teachers and a teenage Junior Leader
Tuition: $250

Many of you asked for it, so this year we’re expanding Sprouts Camp to the whole summer! We’re also reducing the group size to six children, which will increase the amount of individual attention the teachers will be able to devote to each child. We’re psyched about these changes!

Sprouts is designed to give young children a super fun time outdoors in natural settings, with gentle, knowledgeable guidance from experienced Taproot Teachers.

At the beginning of each day, we gather the kids for Circle Time, where the group will say hello, introduce the day’s activity to the kids, and invite them to share what’s on their minds. We often incorporate an active game, yoga, dancing, songs, poems, or stories to this time. Then we’ll head out for the exploration and adventure in that day’s location–City Park, Harvest Preserve, Fossil Gorge, Turkey Creek, and other places TBD. Sprouts Camp gives little ones a great introduction in learning to use their own voice and communicate effectively and kindly with others. The days’ exact plans vary, but you can be sure Sprouts Camp time will be filled with nature, friendship, and growth. And a lot of play.

Sprouts need to bring some important gear:

• weather-appropriate clothing for playing outside
• shoes that can get soaked–sneakers, keens, crocs, etc.
• a change of clothing
• sun hat
• swimsuit and swim shirt
• towel
• sunscreen (please apply sunscreen before camp, and we’ll re-apply later if necessary)
• water bottle (a carrying sling is helpful)
• lunch–hearty and healthy in a sturdy container
• several tasty and nutritious snacks
• For a rainy day, a rain coat or rain suit is very helpful!

Although the kids won’t use every item every day, we think it makes sense to bring the items so they don’t get forgotten on the day they’re needed. Campers will not need to carry their packs for long distances, but it is still helpful to pack in a tidy and efficient way that they can carry for shorter distances. Packing together and practicing hiking around with their pack is an excellent way to prime the kids for camp!

Sprouts need to be dressed appropriately for the weather. This can sometimes be difficult to accomplish with quickly growing and unpredictably persnickety kids! We know how it feels and we are delighted to try to troubleshoot with you if this is a problem.