Ben and Geoff have been friends in fatherhood, teaching, and love of wilderness for two decades. Ben, father of seven, is a long-time teacher at the Sequoyah School. He has helped lead Sequoyah’s wilderness education, camping, field games, and PE programs for decades, introducing hundreds of young people to hiking, camping, and land stewardship. Papa Geoff, father of three, is a cofounder and teacher at Village Playgarden, Altadena’s forest and farm-based Waldorf early childhood school located on 2 acres of land at the base of the San Gabriel foothills where he spends his days creating community with children and their parents, taking care of farm animals, growing food, hiking in the foothills, and building outdoor structures for children and their families.

Hikes and Beaches

We hike and beach at these locations depending on current conditions:

• Switzer Falls

• Hahamonga creek trail

• Millard Canyon southern trail

• Hansen Dam floodplain

• Eaton Canyon Falls

• Monrovia Canyon

• Chantry Flats

• Leo Carrillo Beach and Tide Pools

• Angeles National Forest: Manzanita campground, Buckhorn campground

• Malibu Canyon  

• Malibu beaches: El Pescador, El Matador, Zuma

Fees

• $200 credit for each friend enrolled!

• Four week cost: $2250

• Three week cost: $1900

• Two-week (minimum enrollment) cost: $1460

• Weekly enrollment fee includes healthy snacks, craft materials, travel costs, and additional fees.

• Week 2 offers an overnight camping trip on Thursday. If your child attends the overnight, there is an additional $50 fee. Parents of younger children are allowed to attend the overnight at no additional fee.

• Deposit: $750 due now to hold your spot. Deposit is non-refundable after April 15.

• Parents drop off at 8:30 AM and pick up at 3:30 PM at Arroyo Park, 614 Stoney Dr, South Pasadena, CA 91030

• We transport in passanger vans

How to Enroll

To reserve a spot for your child fill out the enrollment form at the top of the page and email it to: admin@villageplaygarden.org.

Parent Testimonials

"Both of our children have attended Mountainside Summer Camp for many years and our daughter is now a junior camp counselor with Mountainside. This isn't glorified babysitting led by teenagers like some camps...It's a truly immersive nature experience led by two of our favorite people in the world, Geoff Ramsey-Ray and Ben Moran, who have been leading hundreds of children at Mountainside for over 15 years! It feels like something from another time--no screens--just being outdoors with trusworthy adults introducing children to mountain hikes, beach days, group games, and camping ... experiences they'll never forget and will want to return to year after year.”
-- Kirk and Heather Ward

Our two children have been in Mountainside with Geoff and Ben for the past three years and they always come away with expanded confidence, knowledge of the natural world, and a deep appreciation for outdoor fun. What sets Mountainside Summer Camp apart is the quality of its instructors, both of whom have extensive experience in safely leading children in outdoor settings, and in creating group cohesiveness and teaching about the natural world.”
-- Mike Murashige and Laura Pulido

 “Mountainside was a fantastic experience for my two kids, they learned a lot and enjoyed themselves so much! We are definitively coming back this year.”
-- Birla Hood

“Our son Finley could hardly wait until he was 7 and able to join in the fun of summer camp with Geoff and Ben. He had the time of his life and he will return this year! Challenging hikes, physical activities and games, group singing and crafts, as well as healthy, delicious snacks. The camp-out at the end of two weeks was the highlight, it was magical. I would recommend this camp for any child who loves to be active and loves to be a part of nature.”
-- André and Ed Martin