Summer Music & Nature Camp

Ages 6-11 and 12-15

New dates coming in 2026

🌿 About This Series 🌿

*Our 2025 Summer Camp was a huge success. This program will return in 2026.

Youth Summer MUSIC + NATURE Camp

Ages 6-11 & 12-15

Step into a world of adventure, creativity, and deep connection at our Youth Nature Summer Camp! Rooted in the 8 Shields model, this immersive program blends forest exploration, plant wisdom, music-making, and hands-on learning for a truly unique experience.

Plant Discovery –

We will explore the world of plants through various approaches of artmaking. We will learn more about plant identification and honorable harvest, pressing flowers and leaves to create mini herbarium for crafting plant-dyed paper bookmarks. Other plants we will work with to extract the pigment through bundle dyeing on natural fabric, observing the alchemy of simmering over heat with added elements to shift, modify or darken colours. We can also work with the sun, using turmeric, isopropyl and borax to capture plant imprints on paper. Cold-soaked turmeric-dyed yarn also honours the sun through a solar-inspired weaving project.

Music & Nature – Sing, write songs, explore rhythm, and experience the power of music as a way to connect with nature and each other. Through storytelling, movement, and artistic expression, we build community and celebrate the land.

Outdoor Adventures – Develop essential life skills, play nature-based games, and strengthen resilience while learning about native and invasive plants, animal tracking, and the wisdom of the forest.

Our Summer Camp nurtures curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love for the natural world. Join us for an unforgettable journey of growth, discovery, and connection!

$70/ Day per child = $350 week (plus GST and $5 registration fee)

Children to bring their own snacks and lunch.

Mentor Ratio is 7 children to 1 mentor.

Lila Music & Nature School Policies

These policies are designed to ensure the financial sustainability of our programs and to keep administrative processes efficient and equitable.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Cancellation Policy

We do our best to make our programs a great fit for every child. Because we plan carefully and commit resources well in advance, we have a clear cancellation policy to ensure we can deliver safe, high-quality experiences for all families.

30+ days before the start date: Full refund, minus deposit & registration fee.
15–29 days before the start date: 50% refund, minus deposit & registration fee.
14 days or less before the start date: No refunds or credits available.

Why this policy is necessary:
To create a safe, enriching program, we hire mentors in contract for the full year, prepare land use, purchase equipment, and complete wilderness training safety & compliance police checks before classes begin. These costs are non-refundable for us.

If Lila Music & Nature Centre cancels a program:

Full refund or transfer if cancelled due to low enrollment.
No refunds if cancellation is caused by inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control.

We find that 98% of families are very happy with their program experience. Withdrawal is rare, but in those cases, we hope this policy helps explain how we balance individual needs with the commitments required to run our programs.

Payment Policy

To maintain smooth operations and fairness for all families, the following payment policies are in effect as of November 1, 2025:

Tuition Due Date:
Monthly tuition is due on the 1st of each month.
Late Fees:
A 7% late fee (minimum $5.00) will apply to any account overdue by more than seven (7) days. This fee recurs monthly until the outstanding balance is paid in full.
Credit Card Authorization:
All families must maintain a valid credit card authorization form on file.
Declined Payments:
A declined credit card is treated as an overdue account and will incur the same recurring late fee.
Administration Fee:
A $42.00 + GST administration fee will apply to accounts that do not comply with the studio’s standard payment procedures, such as requiring manual processing or additional administrative handling.

Conflict Resolution and Communication Policy

At Lila Music and Nature Centre, we value open, respectful communication and believe that most misunderstandings can be resolved through compassionate, in-person conversation. Our goal is always to maintain a positive and supportive environment for children, families, and mentors.

1. In-Person Conversations First

If a parent or guardian has a concern, question, or issue regarding their child’s experience, we invite them to speak directly with one of the mentors during the program day.
We encourage approaching these conversations with openness and curiosity, as our mentors are best positioned to offer insight into daily activities and interactions.

2. Collaborative Discussion

Our standard practice is to address concerns in person, including the child, mentor(s), and parent(s) involved. This helps ensure that everyone has the opportunity to share their perspective respectfully and that misunderstandings can be resolved in real time.

3. Written Communication

Lila Music and Nature Centre does not engage in conflict resolution through email or written correspondence. We have found that written exchanges can easily lead to further misunderstandings and take valuable time away from the educational and creative work of our team.

4. Scheduling a Meeting

Parents wishing to discuss a concern are welcome to request a brief meeting during program hours. These can be arranged directly with the lead mentor or through the director. Every effort will be made to meet promptly and collaboratively.

5. Our Commitment

We are committed to fostering a culture of mutual respect, empathy, and clarity in all interactions. Thank you for understanding and supporting our in-person communication approach—it allows us to stay grounded in community connection and attentive care for each child.

Your Mentors

Cari Burdett, highly trained in Deep Nature Connection and Wilderness First Aid, has been mentoring youth and adults for many years and lead our program with a passion for fostering deep connections between children and nature. She is supported by regular guest mentors, including local Quw’utsun’ elders who share their teachings and cultural heritage.

For over 18 years in the Quwut’sun’ Valley, Cari Burdett has been committed to fostering a diverse community based on connection through music, relationships with our local Coast Salish Indigenous Elders (ReconciliAction through community building, music and service), and most recently, a dedication to mentoring all ages in the importance, healing and profound joy of Deep Nature Connection.

As the Founder of the Lila Music and Nature Center and mother of three older children, Cari brings with her over thirty years of professional training, degrees, intensives that focus on the healthy development of children and adults, with special focus on Anthroposophic & Waldorf pedagogy trainings, music therapy, pre and perinatal trauma work, plus communication models including Non Violent Communication and The Way of Council. Most recently, she has added to her skill set all she has been learning from Deep Nature Connection (including ceremony and rites of passage training) from her course immersion in Wisdom of the Earth, Thriving Roots, with ongoing Mentorship with Sal Gencarelle and the Helper’s Mentoring Society. Cari’s warmth and dedication shines through as she welcomes these diverse, yet richly connected elements to the Wilderness Programs.

Catherine grew up immersed in nature on traditional Stó꞉lō land of the Fraser Valley’s coastal rainforest, where following her own ancestral and nature connection journey led her to root into oceanside Arbutus meadows on southern Vancouver Island. A longing to help others deepen into their own connection to self and place drew her to mentoring. She was introduced to 8 Shields and Coyote mentoring through Wilderness Awareness School’s Tracking Intensive in 2015, and found her way to Thriving Roots Tend the Fire Apprenticeship in 2021 where she began working with youth and adult nature programs through various organizations. She is now part of the mentoring team at Thriving Roots Wilderness School and is thrilled to join Lila Music’s Nature School.

Catherine also holds an MA in Environmental Education and Communication through Royal Roads University and pursues ongoing training with Animas Valley Institute. An artist and naturalist at heart, she remains a lifelong apprentice to the natural world, immersing herself in the stories of wildlife tracking, bird language, organic art materials, wild food and medicine making. She loves sharing beauty and inspiration in nature and art-making, bringing joy through music and song, solving naturalist mysteries (or reveling in the unknown), and connecting with her own inner child through play and games. She enjoys painting wildlife on driftwood and beach stones, ocean swimming, and following animal trails through the forest.

Mentor Gallery

Testimonials

Cari is an amazing teacher who shares from her heart. She is an absolute blessing to our children. I'm grateful for her.

Sarah Macmillan, parent of youth nature program.

Cari is a magical weaver of hearts from the human being to the wild ones. She know how to Cary the fire and the water. She has the strength of the wind and feet on the earth. Her trust and commitment to life is pretty contagious and will definitely lift you up. Cari knows how to hold grief in one hand and hold joy and love in the other hand. I absolutely love her.

Claudelle Charette , Nature Mentor for Thriving roots and Wisdom of the Earth

Cari is a powerful and perceptive facilitator who walks with authenticity and love in all her relationships. She holds deep honour and integrity and will have you laughing and singing in no time. I’d highly recommend giving yourself the chance to be a part of this mentoring journey.

~Alaina Hallett, Director of Thriving Roots Wilderness School, Victoria, BC

Registration

2025 Youth Summer Music and Nature Camp

Already registered for this program? Log in to your registration account here.

We are grateful to welcome the Raffi Foundation as a new supporter of our nature school community. Their generosity is helping strengthen our Elder Connection program, creating meaningful opportunities for intergenerational learning and relationship building. In addition, their support is helping make our programs more accessible by providing scholarship opportunities for youth from low income families. We are honored to partner with an organization that shares our commitment to connection, inclusivity, and a thriving future for all children