North State Parent magazine

Turtle Bay Summer Camps
2026-07-17 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-20 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-21 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-22 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-23 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-24 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Turtle Bay Exploration Park, 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding, CA, United States
Spark curiosity, creativity, and adventure this summer at Turtle Bay Exploration Park! These week-long camps combine hands-on learning, science, art, and outdoor exploration for kids ages 7–12.
2026 Camp Themes
🎬 Movies, Makers & Mythbusters
June 15–19 & June 22–26
Discover the science behind movie magic, special effects, inventions, and fantasy worlds.
🏕️ Built for Survival!
July 6–10 & July 13–17
Learn outdoor survival skills including shelter building, navigation, water filtration, and more.
🎨 Art Around the World
July 20–24 & July 27–31
Explore art, history, and cultures from around the globe through hands-on projects and creative activities.
Cost:
• $230/week for Turtle Bay members
• $255/week for non-members
• Extended Care (4–5 PM): $30/week per child
Space is limited. Register early to reserve your spot!

RAD Summer Camp 2026
2026-07-17 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-21 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-22 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-23 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-24 09:30 - 14:30 | Regenerative Arts Development & Learning Center, 954 N. Old Stage Rd., Mount Shasta, CA, 96067, United States
The Regenerative Arts Development (RAD) and Learning Center Summer Camp is full of celebrating the sunshine and growing season. We celebrate the special magic that comes with long summer days and big sunflowers. Our schedule is jam-packed throughout the summer with garden time, special guests sharing unique projects, and nature-inspired arts and crafts.
Summer Day Camp is a huge hit for kids of all ages who enjoy playing in the dirt, making fairy houses, and turning recycled materials into art. Each day includes tending to our lovely Kids’ Garden, deepening connections to the fresh food we eat, and making nature-inspired arts and crafts.
Camp includes opportunities to dig deeper into permaculture topics in our garden, personal development through social interaction outdoors, and plenty of space to indulge the creative side/learn through creation with more complex projects and materials. We focus our teaching on being good stewards of our earth, starting with the food we grow together.
Recycled & Natural Arts & Crafts
Kids’ Garden & Nature Studies
Solar Cooking
Music & Movement
Weekly Special Guests

Mount Shasta Stargazers Star Party
2026-07-17 20:00 - 23:00 | Phoenix Sky Sanctuary, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Military Pass Road, McCloud, CA, 96057, United States
Spend an unforgettable summer evening under some of Northern California’s darkest skies with the Mount Shasta Stargazers. Bring the whole family to explore the night sky through telescopes, spot constellations, planets, and deep-sky objects, or simply relax in a lawn chair and enjoy the stars.
The event begins at 8:00 PM, with observing conditions improving as darkness falls. Guests are encouraged to arrive before sunset to safely set up telescopes or binoculars.
Sky Schedule

🌅 Sunset: 8:38 PM
🌆 Civil Twilight Ends: 9:11 PM
🌌 Nautical Twilight Ends: 9:52 PM
✨ Full Darkness (Astronomical Twilight): 10:38 PM
🌙 Moonset: 10:46 PM

What to Bring

Lawn chairs or blankets
Telescope or binoculars (if you have them)
Flashlight (preferably with a red light)
Bug spray
Snacks and drinks
Warm layers for cooler evening temperatures

Please Note

No restrooms or running water are available at the site.
Clear skies are forecast, with overnight temperatures in the low 60s.

Perfect for families, beginner stargazers, photographers, and anyone who loves the night sky. Admission is free.

Sacramento River Discovery Center Field Trips
2026-07-18 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-20 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-21 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-22 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-23 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-24 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-25 09:00 - 13:00 | Sacramento River Discovery Center, 1000 Sale Lane, Red Bluff, 96080, United States
Looking for an unforgettable outdoor experience that’s both fun and educational? Look no further than The Sacramento River Discovery Center Inc in the Red Bluff Recreation area! The entire family will love learning about nature and finding out facts about plants and animals and ways to help take care of the environment.
Our center is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that offers a unique opportunity to learn about sustainable gardening in our native drought-tolerant garden and water conservation, while enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking to camp, play disc golf, or picnic with family and friends, we have something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the stunning local beauty of nature at the Sacramento River Discovery Center Inc. and learn how to conserve our precious resources.
Call today to book your field trip! 530-527-1196 Mon-Fri 9am-1pm.
Bird Walk – 1st Saturday of the month at 9am. Meet Mr. Ben Hughes & Dr. Danke in the parking lot by the visitor’s center.

Whiskeytown Summer Kayak Tours & Paddleboard Programs 2026
2026-07-18 09:30 - 15:30, 2026-07-19 09:30 - 15:30 | Whiskeytown National Recreation Area – Oak Bottom Marina, 12485 CA-299, Whiskeytown, CA, 96095, United States
Explore, learn, and adventure this summer at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area with a variety of ranger-led programs for all ages.
Dates: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend (as staffing allows)
Kayak Tours & Paddleboard ProgramsGet out on the lake and discover Whiskeytown’s rich history, wildlife, and natural beauty. No experience needed—gear is provided.
1. Rise & Shine Kayak Tour | 9-11:30am
2. Paddle Board Adventure | 1:30-3:30pm
When: Saturdays and Sundays until September 6
Ages: 6+ (kayak) | 10+ (paddleboard)Cost: Park entrance fee + $1 reservation feeRegister: http://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/274349
Junior Rangers & Junior FirefightersFun, interactive programs for kids with hands-on learning and a special patch at the end.Select Holiday Saturdays: May 23, July 4, September 110:00 AM – Junior Rangers (Oak Bottom Amphitheater)11:00 AM – Junior Firefighters (Oak Bottom Fire Station)Ages: 7–12 (all ages welcome)
Location:Whiskeytown National Recreation AreaOak Bottom Area, Whiskeytown, CA
Contact:Email: WHIS_Information@nps.govText: (530) 356-3958
Family-friendly outdoor fun, education, and adventure all summer long!

Saturday Fun Days at Mt Shasta Sission Museum
2026-07-18 10:00 - 15:00 | Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum, 1 N Old Stage Rd, Mount Shasta, CA, 96067, United States
Discover the stories of Mount Shasta at the Sission Museum.
Every Saturday through August 8th join us here at the museum for fun and learning.
From 10AM to 4PM we will be focusing on creating a welcoming environment for adults and children alike to learn new things and share new experiences.

July 18th: Simple Machine Activities
July 25th: Fishing Day, Bugs and Agriculture
August 1st: More Machines, Spin-Tronics and other machines
August 8th: Sewing – Sewing machines and hand sewing

OPEN: Thursday – Monday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

CLOSED: Tuesday/Wednesday

*The Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum’s season typically runs from the last part of March through December, weather permitting.

Forebay Aquatic Center Summer Camp
2026-07-20 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-21 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Forebay Aquatic Center, 930 Garden Dr, Oroville, CA, 95965, United States
As the only aquatic camp in the North State, we offer 8 weekly camp sessions from June to August. Each week is filled with boating skills, aquatic activities, and environmental education with an emphasis on water and boating safety. We do a variety of games, art and music to complement our aquatic fun.

Campers learn to master crafts in a safe and exciting environment, including Kayaking, Orienteering, and Stand-up Paddle Boarding. While at camp, campers will play games to learn about local wildlife, learn lifelong skills, and work on team-building activities. Example visiting educators include the local fire department, state park rangers, bird or fish experts, and more! Family Fun Friday will allow your camper to bring up to four family members and share what they learned that week, offering an hour of free rentals to all from 12:00-1:00 pm! We highly encourage families to participate and spend water time together.

Sessions:
June 8-12, 15-19, 22-26
July 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, 27-31
August 3-7

All camps are Half Day 8am-12pm or Full Day 8-5pm
Cost: Half Day $185 Full Day $285 with flexible daily or weekly plans

Little Feet, Big Discoveries Family Nature Walks & Adventure
2026-07-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Siskiyou Landtrust Wherrit Forest Property, 1917 Wyehka Way, Mount Shasta, CA, 96067, United States
Join First 5 Siskiyou, Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center (MSBEC) and Quality Siskiyou Counts for this summer field trip for young kids and their families! No cost to participants.
This outing will feature a storytime, sensory walks and activities, games, and nature journaling to help us awaken our observation of the natural world. All activities can be done as a family and will be designed with a range of ages in mind. We’ll explore our local ecology, learn about plants and animals, and how everything is interconnected.
Please sign-up in case we need to change the location or reschedule due to weather!

Gateway Science Museum Garden Volunteer Day
2026-07-25 08:00 - 10:00 | Gateway Science Museum, 625 Esplanade, Chico, CA, 95926, United States
A morning of caring for Gateway Gardens. By volunteering, you’re helping keep these exhibits a beautiful place for our community and a thriving habitat for native plants and animals.

2026 Kids Fishing Days
2026-07-25 08:30 - 14:00 | Mount Shasta Hatchery, 3 N Old Stage Rd., Mount Shasta, CA, 96067, United States
CDFW’s Mount Shasta Fish Hatchery will host its highly anticipated and hugely popular Kids Fishing Day events on Saturday, June 27 and Saturday, July 25. The hatchery’s settling ponds will be stocked with trout for kids 15 and under. The event is free with bait provided, a limited amount of loaner tackle available and plenty of volunteers to assist the kids. Please come prepared with a cooler or bucket to take the fish home. Children must be able to hold a rod and reel on their own. Same-day registration occurs at the hatchery.
Registration: 8:15 AM – 1:30 PM
Fishing: 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
More info: R1InlandFisheries@wildlife.ca.gov
