Caring Creatives

Sent our six year old and almost-​4 year old to camp for a week — three half days and two full days. I was really excited about this camp, but really ended up being incredibly let down.
If you think of this simply as a good day care option or good, basic outdoor camp experience, I’d give it five stars. But that would assume basic day care or basic outdoor camp prices. As a special, themed camp intended to be developmentally and educationally thoughtful (at prices reflective of that) 2 stars, tops.
First of all, the art projects were shockingly uninspired. (See the photos I posted of ALL of the projects for the week.) They just weren’t thoughtful or inspired in any way. There are so many art projects they could have created that better utilized their nature findings. They could have helped kids better select items for their mobiles – which was the best project of the week – items that would actually last! They had tiny, wild daisies on some of them, which of course wilt in a half a day. And then TWO of the projects were inside-​out tape bracelets — one of which had the same little daisies and grass on them. The materials they provided were cheap and not natural (tape, synthetic pipe cleaners, etc). For the prices they charge, they should supplement the found materials with high quality art materials.
Pedagogically, it was also a disappointment, full of missed opportunities for teaching (about nature, materials, art, community). When our 4 year old was a bit shy and a little nervous about separation the first few days, not one adult got down on his level and tried to connect with him to help with the separation. Not one. On the third day, I specifically had to ask an adult to try to ease the transition, simply by trying to connect with him before expecting him to say goodbye and turn around an head off to the woods. (It wasn’t that hard — just very mild shyness and very mild anxiety about saying goodbye and going off with new adults and kids!) They didn’t even make a point to tell the kids their names until I asked! Plus, it wasn’t the same adult leading their group every single day. Also, for the half day camp, my six year old was grouped with exclusively three and four year olds; there were other older kids in different groups, but they seemed totally inattentive to trying to mix up the ages of the kids. It seemed like they just put kids into groups simply as they arrived. I asked about this and for subsequent days, they put an older child in the group so she would have a peer. So odd.
For comparison: my kids also attended the Parks + Creation Coyote Camp this summer. That camp was obviously staffed by people with a passion for young people and an understanding and knowledge of early childhood development. They had a clear rhythm to the day, started and ended every day with a circle time, the adults got down on the kids level, looked them in the eyes, and talked to them constantly (I never once saw this with the Caring Creatives camp!). The adults at Caring Creatives seemed fun and nice, to be sure, but they didn’t seem like the knowledgable, passionate child educators I had hoped (and expected, at their price!!). They seemed much less experienced, with less knowledge about childhood development and pedagogy. Also, at the Parks + Creation camp, the kids came home having eaten their lunches every single day. This is very telling: at Parks + Creation, the teachers sit with the kids, eat their «growing food,» commune over the meal (and snack), encourage them to eat, etc. But the following week, at Caring Creatives camp, my kids were coming home with their lunches barely eaten. My six year old said they just sat at lunchtime to eat, and kids were able to get up and play when they felt «done,» which for a young child isn’t really appropriate. As a result, they didn’t eat much. As another comparison, they came home from the Parks and Creation camp happily dirty every day. Both camps were in the Presidio, and in the P&C camp, they got full of dirt and sand and mud, and were happily exhausted from endless hiking every day. But at the Caring Creatives camp, they hiked FAR less, and got FAR less dirty. Personally, for a nature camp in the Presidio, I want my kids digging in the dirt, getting their fingernails full of soil, connecting with nature physically. But at Caring Creatives, they sit on plastic tarps and somehow manage to come home with surprisingly clean fingernails and clothes.
I realize at this point I may sound like a shill for Parks plus Creation. I am not; in fact, I don’t even live in SF (just visiting for the summer). It’s just that their camps sounded like they would be very similar (with similarly high prices!). I actually had hoped the the Caring Creatives camp would be even better — like Parks and Creation plus an amazing art piece added. Not so. In my six year old’s words: «It was pretty fun, but we did WAY more in P+C. You can just recycle my projects.»

I first stumbled upon Caring Creatives a few years ago in the Presidio, when my son was 2-​going-​on-​3. That summer, he was getting a little restless as we attended many of the activities intended for kids his age, all of which still required parent participation (which I understand). When I saw this small group of kids enjoying the outdoors with 1 or even 2 group leaders who really had them engaged and totally under control, I asked what they were all about. After checking out their website and learning even more about their offerings, I vowed to enroll my son as soon as he was 3 and potty trained (those are the requirements)!
That first summer, we started with 3-​hour day camp — just the right amount of time for the average 3-​year-​old. He was tentative at first (he’s not the type to dive into new situations — especially not when he was younger). The group leader at that time, Vanessa, was sooooo sweet. She helped him feel safe in this first «away from Mommy/​Daddy» activity, and helped him discover many joys of the outdoors. It wasn’t all smooth — he didn’t want to potty either outside or inside (there are «proper» bathroom opportunities, as I understand it) — but they were patient with him and I really appreciated what this program was exposing him to.
I continued to re-​enroll him for day camps during the school year and summers, working up to the 5-​hour day camps, and this summer, the 6-​hour camp option. One of the best things about this program for parents is that it is incredibly flexible. Those pesky days off from school that aren’t holidays for those of us who work are often saved by Caring Creatives, with very little advance planning on my part. There are so many scheduling options, it really is considerate of different families’needs.
The biggest gift from Caring Creatives has been the progression in my son’s comfort not only with an outdoor experience that might challenge his tolerance of the «elements» (yes, there have been a few rainy and/​or very cold days — dress them appropriately and trust Caring Creatives to take care of the rest); but his flexibility in new environments. This summer, he truly blossomed with Jaclyn and the rest of the leaders. He was so excited to go to camp every day — making new friends and challenging himself physically and creatively. And wouldn’t you know, this is the only program I’ve found that offers camp the week before many of the schools start this year after Labor Day — so we’ll be joining them again!
Truthfully, it is pricey. And the cancellation policy is a little rigid (many are), though it’s never posed a problem for me. But in this environment of camps that are often very restrictive in their offerings (age and otherwise) and not year-​round, they really are providing something most others aren’t (not to mention, you can check up on what your child really was doing all day by perusing their daily Facebook photo posts).
Bravo!

We love this camp. The kids spend the day outdoors in the Presidio, hiking, climbing, and doing arts and crafts. They learn about the trees, the bugs, and everything they find outside. The counselors are amazing and take great care of the kids. They post pictures so we can see what they do each day. It’s the only camp I would send my kid to alone without a buddy. My child always asks when we are going back to «nature camp.» This is really a wonderful program!

After speaking with the director and owner Katherine, I agreed and feel its fair to elaborate on my feed back. My poor experience with caring Creative was limited to the administration and not the program it self. I register my daughter early this year as part of her school program and when I realized that I had a conflict with the schedule, I reached out to her office with a hope to work out a solution. Instead of options or attempt to work out a better solution, the office manager highlighted the non refundable fee policy and didn’t seem to care that I was not happy. After my Unilocal review, the owner Katherine reached out to me and while we both decided, given what had transpired, its best for my daughter not to go through the program, but we did reach out an amicable resolution where we both felt ok about our departure.
I hope others experience are more positive as I heard good reviews from close friends that their kids have gone through the program.

Really great program. My son is 3.5 years and is super active. Caring Creatives not only allows him to be physical but also curious about the environment and respectful. I’m very protective about who cares for my son and his leader Allie was very attentive. Highly recommend!

I am immensely grateful to Katherine and Caroline and their wonderful colleagues for contributing so strongly and positively to my son’s development in every way.
Perhaps I can explain it best like this: when I pick him up at the end of an afternoon session, I’d expect him to be cranky and exhausted, like with everything else! But the opposite is true. He is ruddy-​cheeked, bright-​eyed, dirty, happy, energized, peaceful.
This program installs more confidence, courage, and sense of capability than anything else he does. Not to mention nourishing a deep curiosity about nature and wonder and awe.
For a kid that grows up in a city, I know instinctively that this kind of program feels necessary for his little human body and soul.
I am a cheerleader for these women and their amazing program. One of the best parts is the intimate nature of the program, the facilitators really know, respect, and nurture your child. It is a small ratio much of the time. My son loves his teachers. They listen to him intently, are cheerful, and guide him expertly. And in return he shows them his very best self. It is really amazing. I still can’t get over how he doesn’t whine about anything here. It’s his happy place. And he always has creations he is excited about and brings home. He even tried to guide us on his own hike to share with us his caring creatives experiences, and be a leader!
He also surprises my husband and I already by his knowledge of science — botany, for example. We are constantly delighted with the myriad benefits of this program, and I have a strong feeling we are doing him (and our family) a lifelong favor by this early connection to nature in a safe, nurturing environment.
My daughter turns 3 this summer and she is soooo excited to go to «cweeatives.» She knows what a special place it is.
It is a lot of money to spend, and I gulp at it, admittedly, but we know it is possibly the best money we spend. The expense is the only con, however. It is convenient drop off-​pick up, facebook posts with pictures of every session, newsletters — even an amazing mothers day card! the program-​home connection is so well nurtured, so kudos to the Coleman sisters for understanding how important it is for parents to be connected to what goes on. What your child will gain is immeasurable. We are so grateful.

Caring Creatives is run by two amazing women, Katherine & Caroline. They are both very thoughtful, kind and intelligent. Both women are extremely creative and insightful. If you have the opportunity to have your child spend time with them, you are blessed!

They have a beautiful studio space and offer some great workshops for children. Their programs enrich the minds of children and lets them express themselves through creativity. The staff is great and are very knowledgable. This is definitely a company worth checking out and signing your children up for! It is very unique to the City.

I’m not exactly an outdoorsy person. I wasn’t sure my daughter would be. It turns out she is — largely in part thanks to Caroline and Katherine, and their company Caring Creatives. On the first day of camp my daughter told me they taught her to use «nature’s potty.» Well, I thought, score one for C and K — cause I’m not gonna be able to do that. Since then my 4 year old correctly identifies plants, tells me where and how they grow, shows me the Presidio Spire, the woodline, the «secret playground» and much, much more. She talks about these things with passion and excitement, the kind only imparted by those who have a sincere interest in children and their teachings. Oh, and the outdoors.
As far as the company itself? Responsive. Thoughtful. Kind. Sincere. Patient. I get pictures that night of what the kids did in the afternoon. I get a text if my daughter is having an off day and might not be up for the whole camp (this happened once, and it turned out she was fine and didn’t need an early pickup but it was nice to know) If I don’t get pictures by 8 pm that night I’m kind of freaking out, like I have come to depend on seeing them. Oh, so do the grandparents to whom I forward them weekly. The pictures are THAT good, and sweet, and telling.
So if you don’t want your child coming home covered in dirt (I mean, covered) and talking about the wonderful things he or she learned, and feeling trust in the people caring for him or her, send them somewhere else.

This is one of the nicest day camps my kids have ever attended! Katherine and Caroline are wonderful, patient and enthusiastic educators who have a gift for inspiring their young pupils to share their love for playing outside. Every day had in store a different exploration and project, each which kept my daughter engaged and looking forward to the next. She made great friends and was smiling and joyful every time I came to pick her up. The icing on the cake… each evening I received a short newsletter about the day’s adventures and some really great photos of my daughter having a great day. I will highly recommend this program to all of my friends with young children.

We love Katherine & Caroline, the 2 fun, loving, creative sisters who run this program! My 4.5-year old has gone several times and can’t get enough. Katherine & Caroline love the outdoors and art, and it shows — the kids spend their time outside the whole time, exploring the Presidio, taking little hikes, building forts, while picking up «art supplies» which are then used in the day’s art project. They come back with super-​cute, super-​creative art! Katherine & Caroline also spend the time to explain the art medium, process, etc. in an age-​appropriate way. 2 other things I love as a parent: 1) the teacher-​child ratio is fantastic; 2) they post photos from each session of the kids and what they’re doing. You don’t get that very often!