

Unforgettable Summer Camp Adventures
— with tailored support for your child’s growth and success at camp.
Epic Camp Games
Fun Crafts & Activities
Cultivate Friendships
Outdoor Adventures
Storytelling & Imagination

Every camp before Bearfoot made me feel bad
This is a heartbreaking quote from one of our kids when asked about previous summer camp experiences.
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And no wonder!
Many camps are largely run as a fun, overwhelming, free-for-all. Think about it — 20 to 30 kids running around, lots of unstructured time, and well-meaning high schoolers as camp counselors. But some of our kids need something smaller, supportive, and more tailored to their needs.
And that’s what we’re all about!
Bearfoot OT’s camps provide a supportive, small-group therapeutic environment so kids can have an awesome camp experience outdoors in beautiful San Francisco parks! Bearfoot OT offers a camp option that provides your kid with the small group support they need to succeed at camp through a focus on peer play, social emotional learning, and building self-regulation skills.
Your child will have so much fun they won’t notice they’re working towards (and succeeding) their goals!
This Isn’t Your Average Summer Camp….
With professional OT staff, small group sizes, and a customized curriculum, our camp is designed for kids who:
Might feel overlooked or overwhelmed in a traditional camp setting
Need extra support for sensory needs or emotional regulation
Struggle to fit in or thrive in larger group environments
Would benefit from targeted support to address their therapy goals during the summer
Summer Camp Done The Bearfoot Way
Skilled Leadership
Led by a skilled pediatric occupational therapist and assisted by OT graduate students and vetted, passionate volunteers.
Small Group Size
With a limit of 6 kids per week, we create a small group experience that allows for growth and attention for every child.
Customized
We take the time to get to know each kid before camp and continuously adapt our approach during the week to meet their needs and support their growth.
Flexible
Kids are supported to participate in ways that make them feel comfortable – not based on one set of expectations or rules.
Families of past summer campers say it best…
“Our child had a blast at Bearfoot summer camp. Wow, it makes a huge difference to be a program that embraces strengths and interests- it makes learning and growth so fun and easy for them. By far our son's fav camp of the summer.”
The best! Camp was so awesome and my kiddo loved every minute. Came home happy, tired and filled with joy.”
“The first camp we attended transformed our child's attitude with the very first day. We dropped off a nervous child and picked up a confident, helpful kid who strolled into our house and began setting the table! Little kids tend to be tight-lipped about their experiences during the day, so it is also fantastic to get immediate feedback and perspectives from the adults running camps and social groups.”
The Consistent Practice Over a Week of Camp Puts Skill-Building Into High Gear
Confidence
Our camp environment encourages kids to try new things and gain confidence in their own abilities. After just a week, we see campers transform from hesitant to confident movers and playmates, feeling stronger and more comfortable in their own bodies.
Connection to Body
You’ll have our undivided attention during consult calls, where we share practical advice and answer your questions. Consult calls can be used to collaborate with others involved in your child’s care, including parents, teachers, and therapists.
Emotional Resilience
Bearfoot campers learn how to manage big emotions and set personal boundaries in healthy ways. Our camp’s safe, supportive setting helps children develop tools for self-regulation, social interactions, and emotional growth.
Energy Outlet
Our outdoor camp setting gives kids with endless energy the freedom to move, run, and explore to their heart's content. Whether it’s sprinting up hills, climbing trees, or racing friends across open spaces, our camp encourages kids to embrace their natural drive to move.
​Self-Advocacy
We encourage kids to recognize and voice their needs. Whether it’s requesting a rest break in the hammock or solving a problem when working with others. We want campers to leave with stronger communication skills and a better understanding of their preferences and boundaries.
Adaptability
For campers who arrive with a fixed idea of “how things have to be,” camp offers a gentle nudge toward flexibility. Over the week, we love watching kids who struggle with change begin to explore new ideas, join in different activities, and develop creative solutions. Learning to adapt when things don’t go as planned is a big win—both at camp and in everyday life.
June 23-27
McLaren Park, San Francisco
Ages 5-10
sign up here!
July 7-11
McLaren Park, San Francisco
Ages 5-10
July 14-18
Presidio, San Francisco
Ages 5-10
Ages 5-10
July 28-aug 1
Presidio, San Francisco
Ages 5-10
August 4-8
McLaren Park, San Francisco
Ages 5-10
Here’s what’s included in your child’s week of outdoor therapy camp:
Intake call (optional)
Review of intake paperwork and previous reports
Collaborative goal setting
Daily update on Google Classroom
Daily individualized video debrief​
Written progress update at the end of camp
5 days (20 hours!) of fun skill-building in the great outdoors!
$995/week​
(A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot)
Does not include:
Cost of OT evaluation (if needed, see FAQs)
Camp enrollment for our 2025 summer camp season opens on February, 1st. Prepare now by booking a call to get your questions answered so you’re ready when registration day arrives!

Came back each day with so much to
say about what he accomplished
“Highly recommend Bearfoot OT summer camp! It was an incredible experience for our son. He came back each day with so much to say about what he accomplished. I'm so impressed how their skilled team creatively incorporated OT in such a unique way in the outdoors.
As parents we also feel like we got so much out of the week due to the daily individual debriefing we were provided, group photos, and group activity summary; we felt connected to the experience in a way not typically provided by other camps. Thank you Bearfoot OT for being such a great resource in our community!”
The Consistent Practice Over a Week of Camp Puts Skill-Building Into High Gear
Intake Process
With our detailed intake process, we’re able to create camp experiences around the needs and goals of each individual kid.
Daily Debrief
Never wonder about your child’s day at camp. Each day, you’ll receive a summary of the activities and skills we work on via a shared Google Classroom for all families in the group. This will include tips and strategies for home so you can experience the most gains from camp now and in the future.
Daily Individualized Video
We record a video just for you about how your child did that day and any specific details you need to know.
Progress Note
Celebrate growth and build on their success! At the end of camp, you'll receive a personalized written report detailing your child’s progress and giving you insights to continue at home or share with anyone on your child’s team.
5 Awesome Days of Camp
That’s 20 hours of nature-based OT nestled inside the memories, adventure, and gritty fun of a summer camp experience.
How Summer Camps Sign-Ups Work
01: Get Ready
Book a call to get your questions answered and gain clarity on your decision. That way, you’re ready to go when the big day arrives for registration.
02: Secure Your Spot
Registration opens at 7:00 AM on FEBRUARY 1st! Go through our website to select the group slot you want for your child and buy a ticket that counts as your registration and nonrefundable deposit. It’s a first-come, first-served system. You can sign up for multiple weeks when registration opens!
03: Confirmation
Once you’ve successfully registered, you’ll receive an email confirmation with the next steps and details for your child’s participation in summer camp.
Celebrate
Put camp on your summer calendar and gear up for an adventure like no other. It’ll be filled with fun, exploration, and plenty of growth opportunities!

Worn out, dirty, exhausted, and happy
at the end of every day
“Bearfoot was the very first summer camp our kid went to, and it was such a great time! Not only did our child learn social self-advocacy skills and regulation techniques, he was also worn out, dirty, exhausted, and happy at the end of every day. The therapists shared helpful articles every day that mirrored what they were working on with the kids, which was great for us as parents to learn more about how to support our kid. We definitely plan to come back!"
Sneak Peek Into a Day at Outdoor
Summer Camp
The daily routine is where most traditional camps miss the mark for neurodivergent kids before they even arrive. Kids are expected to hop from activity to activity without having time to decompress, prepare, or meet sensory needs.
In comparison, our daily schedule balances structured and unstructured activities while allowing kids to participate at their own pace and according to their individual needs and preferences.
Typical Bearfoot OT
Camp Day
Morning kick-off — We ease into the day with morning circle time by reviewing the schedule and everyone’s name.
Group game — Fun games to help your child build gross motor and social skills.
Hike — Our 20-minute walk to our next location is a time to enjoy nature and reset for the next activity.
Snack time — Team building to get out and share a snack to fuel our bodies.
Storytime — Books help us explore a social-emotional concept or provide inspiration for our project or activity.
Project — We break out a craft or nature art project that gets kids creative, problem-solving, and building their fine motor skills.
Supported free play — Freedom for campers to choose how they play.
Hike — Another walk to soak in the beauty of nature and reset our brains, bodies, and energy.
Lunch — Time to slow down and recharge over lunch.
Group games — A second dose of group games to build physical and social-emotional skills.
Closing circle — This wrap-up time helps campers transition and emotionally process their day at camp.
And truly, each day and week at Bearfoot is different! While this schedule outlines the day, our therapy team customizes the exact activities and games of each day to meet the specific goals, needs, and interests of each camper and group.
A Summer Camp Experience Your Kid Will Talk About All Year.
Feel great knowing your child is in good hands, having a great time, and learning new skills.
We’re here to make summer camp a massive success for you and your child:
Led by occupational therapists trained to manage the different needs of kids.
Maximum of 6 kids in each week of camp
Parent communication, so you know about your child’s day.
20+ hours of occupational therapy in one week for massive growth inside a fun experience.
It’s the summer camp experience you wanted for your child but didn’t dream existed in the Bay Area!
A Few Policies to Know Before Signing Up for our Bay Area Social Groups for Kids….
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You must arrive on time to camp - no late drop-offs because we’ll already be off in the woods
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Any missed days for travel, sickness, etc will not be refunded
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Your child must be able to be safe with themselves, others and property/environment in a 6:2 child to adult ratio in a dynamic outdoor environment. This means your child must be safe given that the adults are always in the vicinity but not always within arm's reach
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If your child needs additional support to be safe, you are welcome to send your child with a 1:1 aide to help them be successful in the group environment!
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If your child uses physical behavior towards self or others when they are dysregulated, our group programming (with the 6:2 ratio) is not a good match at this time. Please contact us about 1:1 therapy!
If you are interested in registering for one of our camps, please read our CAMP BEHAVIOR APPROACH AND POLICY DOCUMENT before you register to see if your kid is a match for the support Bearfoot offers in our camp programming. ​​
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For questions about registration, please email admin@bearfootoccupationaltherapy.com or call 415-322-0874
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Does my child need an evaluation?A current (less than 12 months) OT evaluation is required to participate in group. If you don't have one, we will complete an abbreviated evaluation for an additional $345. You may register for group and then complete the evaluation after registration.
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What is a session of group like?Great question! First off, you should know that every group is different. We don’t work from a set static curriculum because we customize the plan each week based on the specific needs and interests of each group. Sessions typically mix structured activities and unstructured play to keep things engaging. For Sprouts and Trekkers, we start with some structured activities like group games, creative projects, crafts, or reading books. These activities are designed to encourage social connections and support kids in developing new motor, social, and communication skills. Then, we wrap up with about 10-15 minutes of supported free play, giving kids the chance to explore and interact on their own — with guidance and support from our therapists. This balance between structure and flexibility allows kids to practice skills in different settings, building confidence and independence while still having fun. Parents love knowing that the sessions provide both structure (for learning and growth) and a little freedom (for natural social-emotional development). It’s all about creating a space where your child can thrive at their own pace—while also learning to navigate relationships, challenges, and emotions.
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Do parents attend the group too?Our groups are designed as a drop-off program, so no need to plan on heading into the woods with us. But if your child is having a tough time and needs you there for support, you’re absolutely welcome to stay. We’re aiming for kids to move towards attending sessions independently but we’ll move at their pace and comfort level.
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When do sign-ups happen?We run groups on a quarterly basis with sign-ups happening 3 times a year. Here’s when we open enrollment on our website: Dec 1 for winter groups that run Jan through March March 1 for spring groups that run April through June Aug 1 for fall groups that run Sept through December
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What do you do if it rains?We play! We don't cancel for bad weather, we have fun in it. The only exception is hazardous weather, such as poor air quality, lightning, or hail. We'll help you know how to best dress your kid so that all weather is enjoyable.
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What should my child wear?After enrolling your child, you’ll receive specific instructions for clothing that can get dirty and keep your child comfortable in a variety of weather conditions. As a general rule, we recommend sturdy shoes, layers, lightweight, non-cotton clothing, and rain gear (boots, rain jacket, and rain pants).