We've moved! Visit our new website:

wordsinthewild.org 
for information on summer camp 2020, virtual tutoring and our new WordLab!
Campers grow their love of reading and writing through garden science, art, games, and more in the gardens of Fairyland, Lake Merritt Garden Center, and the Kaiser Rooftop garden. Our young scientists sharpen their powers of inquiry as they observe, document, and explore both language and nature. 

Hesitant readers and writers thrive in this nurturing environment by using their literacy skills for meaningful activities like reading about the life cycle of worms in order to care for our worm bin. ​
Are you an educator looking for information about our Summer Institute?
Download the flyer for more info and then register here! 
Questions? Call, text or email us at 510.500.5380 or admin@buildingonthebest.com

2019 Session Info

Words in the Wild I

​   June 15th - June 19th
​                     &
   June 22nd - June 26th
Rising 1st (rising 2nd on case by case basis). Max 12 campers. 
​Excursions are shorter distances for the youngest campers, and word science is tailored to beginning readers. Reading is an adventure!
​Words in the Wild II

​   June 15th - June 19th
​                      &
   June 22nd - June 26th
Rising 2nd, 3rd & 4th (rising 1st on case by case basis).
​Our older campers go on slightly longer excursions. This group will also go deeper into exploring word meanings and word parts. Reading is an adventure!

2019 Details

Camp ​Times — 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Before care — 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Aftercare — 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Location — St. Paul's Episcopal School 
​                         (near Fairyland for field trips!)

Grades — Rising 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th 
While having fun in nature, campers develop critical literacy skills in: ​
  • reading and understanding text 
  • enjoying text and using it for a purpose 
  • building oral and print vocabulary 
  • making connections between spelling and meaning 
  • writing independently and fluently
We de-emphasize reading for reading’s sake. Instead children apply scientific practices to studying language AND nature, such as:
  • observing closely 
  • recording data 
  • making predictions 
  • comparing evidence to hypotheses
Of course, campers also enjoy a well-rounded summer camp experience by: 
  • playing collaborative and cooperative games like park ranger and favorite word tag 
  • creating art projects like seed mandalas and pop up books 
  • relaxing with friends, chatting, and sharing meals
  • exploring the natural world through bug hunts and food tasting parties
This unique camp is also a summer institute staffed by reading specialists and a naturalist, who also mentor our teaching fellows.

A Day at Words in the Wild
The day begins with community building and nature themed read alouds, and winds down with supported independent reading and a reflective closing circle. In between we do word science and explore the natural world with our Words in the Wild Field Journal© , dig in the dirt, and run around like wild animals. Daily excursions may include tasting stone fruit at the farmers market, observing ducklings on the Kaiser Rooftop Garden, or smelling lavender in the sensory garden. And of course, Fairyland visits!

Logistics
Words in the Wild in a nonprofit 510(c)(3) that brings reading and writing to the great outdoors for all children. This unique camp is staffed by Words in the Wild reading specialist and naturalists but operated by St. Paul's Episcopal School. 
​
Both camps meet and drop off at SPES, and take daily or near-daily walking excursions to the Lake Merritt fields, gardens, Fairyland, and the Kaiser Rooftop Garden. Most days, the two camps will join for lunch.


​Can't wait for summer? Join the fun now with our Nature Bingo Scavenger Hunt!

 DOWNLOAD BINGO   --   Download Flyer 

Follow us on Facebook for more fun updates and games! ​
Logistical Questions? 
Keep scrolling to meet our teacher and for more details on aftercare, nearby camps for siblings, refund policy and late fees. If you still have questions after reading, please contact us at: 
​admin@buildingonthebest.com.

Content or "Fit" Questions?
If you're wondering about whether we would be a good fit for your child, email or text director Dr. Alexis Filippini at alexis@buildingonthebest.com or 510.500.5380, or schedule a call here.

Interested in more information on our summer or after school programs?
Let us know here.
​
Camp Teachers
Learn more about our skilled faculty. 

All teachers are CPR/FirstAid certified and have passed comprehensive background checks. 
​
Before & After Care
Available through St Paul's Episcopal School from 7:30am-8:30am ($12/hour or $50 per week) and 3pm-6pm ($12/hour or $150/week), with payment made directly to St Paul's via these registration pages: before care & after care. 

Find a Camp for All Your Kids
Words in the Wild is conveniently located at St Paul's Episcopal School which provides a wide variety of camps for rising kindergarteners through ninth graders. Check out their camps for your younger or older kids! ​