Youth Summer Camps

Ages 7-13

Registration now open 2026/2027

Youth Summer Camps

A Summer of Creativity, Nature, and Joyful Expression

Give your child a summer rooted in creativity, connection, and the natural world. At Lila Music and Nature Centre, our three unique camp experiences invite children ages 7–13 to explore, create, and grow through hands-on learning, imagination, and play.

From theatre, music, and storytelling to outdoor adventure and traditional nature-based skills, each camp offers a nurturing and inspiring environment where children can build confidence, form meaningful friendships, and experience the magic of summer.

Moss & Melody Theatre

Theatre and Nature Summer Camp
(July 13–17)

Song, story, and soil – all in one wild week.

Wildcraft & Rhythm

Nature and Art Summer Camp
(July 20-24)

Crafts, creatures, and a week you won’t forget.

Wild Wood Scouts

Nature Summer Camp
(August 10-14 )

Stomp, sing, and find your place in the world.

Educational Approach

Our nature based education is based on Connection with nature, people and self. Lead with the 8-Shields teaching model, developed by Jon Young.

Fundamental life skills reinforced through nature-related activities.
Creative expressions and physical agility fostered in natural settings.
Understanding societal structures and musical exploration through environmental interaction.
Nature-Connected Learning: Engaging with the outdoor environment in meaningful ways.
Community and Respect: Building a culture of reciprocity and communal support.
Hands-On and Child-Led Learning: Encouraging self-directed exploration.

Moss and Melody

Theatre and Nature Summer Camp
With Julia Sevitt & Joel Fox
(July 13-17)

Ages: 7 – 13

Dates & Times: July 13-17, 9:30-3:00

Give your child a summer where every story wants to be sung and every song wants to be a story. This camp for ages 7-13 weaves together voice, theatre, imaginative play, and hands-on nature skills into a week of creative discovery and genuine connection.

Each day, campers will dive into singing, improvised music-making, and theatre games that draw on the living world around them – while time outdoors brings them into the ancient crafts of wood carving, weaving, and natural dyeing, grounding creativity in something real and tactile.

With a spirit of gentle adventure and collaborative play, this camp offers a space for kids to find their voice, build lasting friendships, and carry a little more song with them into the rest of the year.

Price: $395 per camp + GST
Payment plans available (starting with a $150 deposit). Reach out for other options.

Wildcraft & Rhythm

Nature and Art Summer Camp
With Julia Sevitt & Stephanie Pickering
(July 20–24)

Ages: 7 – 13
Dates & Times: July 20-24, 9:30-3:00

Join us for a playful and creative week in nature! This camp is designed for kids ages 7–13 who love to explore, make things with their hands, and express themselves through art and music. Together, we’ll discover the magic of plants through natural dyeing, print making, and learning to identify local species. Campers will create beautiful mandalas using found natural materials, play fun nature awareness games, and build confidence exploring the outdoors. Each day also includes singing, storytelling, group activities, and imaginative play, helping kids connect with themselves, each other, and the natural world. This is a welcoming space for curiosity, creativity, and friendship to grow.

Price: $395 per camp + GST
Payment plans available (starting with a $150 deposit). Reach out for other options.

Wild Wood Scouts

Nature Summer Camp
With Cari Burdett, Shanoah Pintus & River Robinson
(August 10-14 )

Ages: 7 – 13

Dates & Times: August 10-14, 9:30-3:00

Join us for an adventurous week in the wild!
Wild Wood Scout & Survival Camp is designed for kids ages 7–13 who are eager to explore, build, and learn essential outdoor skills. Campers will discover the basics of fishing, practice building shelters, and learn how to safely filter water in the wilderness. We’ll explore traditional fire-making techniques like bow drill coal making, along with other exciting survival skills that connect us to the land in meaningful ways.

Each day is filled with outdoor challenges, team-based activities, storytelling, and plenty of time for imaginative play in nature. Campers will build confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and create lasting friendships while learning how to thrive in the wild.

This is a welcoming space for adventure, growth, and discovery—where kids can challenge themselves, get a little muddy, and come away feeling capable, connected, and inspired.

Price: $395 per camp + GST

Payment plans available (starting with a $150 deposit). Reach out for other options.

Your Mentors

With a deep love for creativity and the natural world, Julia brings a playful, heart-centered approach to working with kids.

For the past 15 years Julia has led numerous summer camps for kids on Salt Spring Island. She draws on her skills she has gathered through the years studying the 8 shields through the lineage Thriving Roots offered her, as well as her own background in clowning, music, and nature connection.

Julia weaves together improvisational games, song, storytelling, and hands on nature skills to foster confidence, curiosity and connection. Julia invites campers into a world of creativity, laughter and discovery.

River Robinson is a 15-year-old who has spent the past five years immersed in forest-based learning through programs such as Thriving Roots. Deeply connected to the land, he enjoys learning from local elders while developing both traditional and practical skills. He is especially passionate about fire-making, bow drill, survival skills, and animal processing, and carries a deep respect for the natural world and local ecology. River has a natural ability to support and mentor younger youth in his community, offering a grounded and patient presence as he helps others build confidence in outdoor skills. His teaching style reflects a quiet leadership and an intuitive understanding of how young people learn best through experience. A true maker at heart, River is highly skilled at working with his hands and has a strong interest in fixing, mechanics, and hands-on problem-solving. Whether working with tools, engines, or in the forest, he brings curiosity and capability to everything he does. Homeschooled and raised on a permaculture farm, River brings a self-directed, practical, and deeply rooted approach to learning and life. In his free time, he enjoys snowboarding and dirt biking, combining his love of adventure with his strong technical skill set.

For over 18 years in the Quwut’sun’ Valley, Cari Burdett has been committed to building community through music, relationship with local Coast Salish Indigenous Elders, and Deep Nature Connection.

As Founder of the Lila Music and Nature Center and mother of three, she brings thirty years of professional training spanning Anthroposophic and Waldorf pedagogy, music therapy, pre- and perinatal trauma work, Non Violent Communication, and The Way of Council.

Most recently she has deepened her practice through Wisdom of the Earth and Thriving Roots, with ongoing mentorship through the Helper’s Mentoring Society – bringing these richly connected threads together in her Wilderness Programs.

Stephanie is an AMI trained Montessori teacher and ECE who adores the learning in nature.

Stephanie spent 25 years producing factual television before answering the call to move back home to Vancouver Island nd work on developing a new generation of empathetic eco-centric young minds. She brings a plethora of creativity and a profound love of creating art with nature. Stephanie spent the last year attending the, Thriving Roots adult immersion nature program.

Stephanie is thrilled to bring her love of art, teaching and music to the hearts and minds of children who are keen on a unique and creative week of learning.

Shanoah has a strong drive and passion for nature connection and outdoor skills. He began his journey with one to two years in the Thriving Roots program, where he built a solid foundation in wilderness awareness and community-based learning. He then attended the Immersion Program at Wisdom of the Earth and continued his training with an additional two years in Thriving Roots. He further expanded his knowledge through a year in the Teen Program at Wisdom of the Earth Nature School, focusing on advanced nature connection, leadership, and outdoor living skills.

Over this time, Shanoah participated in numerous fire quests and rites of passage ceremonies, strengthening both his practical skills and personal growth. He has also gained experience mentoring youth at Fire Maker Summer Camp and looks forward to sharing his knowledge with others.

Shanoah enjoys martial arts, sport fishing, mountain biking, wrestling, skiing, and rugby. He is thrilled to be offering the Nature Scouts & Skills summer camp this season alongside River Robinson and Cari Burdett.

Joel Fox comes from the world of improv, sketch comedy, stand-up, and performance art, with over a decade of experience performing in projects ranging from improv soap operas to long-form shows and sketch comedy.

He deeply loves the natural world, and has spent years living close to the land. He’s especially energized by the magic that happens when kids feel free to play, take risks, and explore without the pressure to get things “right.”

Joel strives to create a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels supported, engaged, and has more fun than they expected.

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.

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