Rooted in connection, guided by the rhythm of nature, and nourished by a loving community: at Sunbeam our mission is to affirm and celebrate each child’s innate love of learning and creativity, by recognizing and nurturing their natural instincts to play, move, and connect.
Sunbeam Nature School
Earth-based learning for the new generation, located in west Petaluma, CA
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Summer camp kids hang out and harvest beans all day long if they’d like.
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Morning children discover worms and rollie-pollies beneath a tree round.
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Smile like the sunflower! These afternoon children, ages 6-7, helped harvest sunflower seeds.
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A rainy morning at Sunbeam, lots of water play with loose parts and a vibrant wet garden.
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A favorite Barn Swallows project is caring for a goldfish while also using their tank for boat building and floating.
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Afternoon children carefully study a frog borrowed from the wild, placed in a beautiful temporary habitat. they made for the frog.
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Afternoon children, both Barn Swallows and Ravens (ages 4-11) wash and arrange eggs in cartons after learning how to test for freshness.
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Gathering Eggs from the Sunbeam chickens
Sunbeam Programs
Morning Program
Age Groups 2-4* & 4-8
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00am-1:00pm
(*Parent participation required for 2-4yo)
Afternoon Program
Age Groups 4-7 & 8-12
Tuesday-Friday 1:00-5:30pm Wednesdays 12:30-5:30pm
Seasonal Day Camps
Age Groups 3-7 & 8-12
Fall/Winter/Spring Camps 9:00am-5:30pm Summer Camps 9:00am-3:00pm
"What's important is that children have an opportunity to bond with nature, to learn to love it, before being asked to heal its wounds."
—David Sobel, 1996
Explore the guiding principles behind our approach to education.