Winter Break Camp 1st Week – AM Block (12/21–12/23) 9 AM–12 PM

Winter Break Camp Week 1 | December 21–23, 2026 | 9 AM–12 PM

All of our Winter Break Camps will be led by our very own Co-Founder Hayley Schilling. Hayley holds a bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Child Development from California State University, Northridge, and is a Child Development Specialist with decades of experience working with children from preschool through elementary school, with specialized expertise in supporting neurodivergent children.

Three mornings focused on practical life skills kids can use every day. Through hands-on projects, games, role-playing, and team challenges, campers will learn everything from tying knots and basic sewing to navigating public spaces, communicating confidently, making balanced food choices, and taking greater responsibility for their own well-being.

DAY 1 — Knot Yet!

Tying, Tailoring & Tethering

Campers start the week by learning practical skills they can literally take home with them. They’ll learn how to tie three useful knots—the square knot, bowline, and clove hitch—using thick practice ropes before putting their new skills to the test in a fast-paced Knot Relay.

Next, campers move into basic sewing, learning how to safely thread a needle, create neat stitches, and sew by hand. They’ll use those skills to make a simple felt pouch or patch using a running stitch and button, finishing the morning by sharing their projects and reviewing the knots they’ve mastered.

Skills: Knot tying • Fine-motor skills • Following a sequence • Hand-eye coordination • Threading a needle • Basic hand sewing • Running stitch • Sewing on a button • Patience • Problem-solving • Independence

DAY 2 — Now What?

Situational Awareness & Public Safety

Day 2 is all about answering an important question: What do I do when I’m out in the world and something doesn’t go according to plan?

Through age-appropriate role-playing and games, campers will practice making phone calls, asking an adult for help, communicating important information, and confidently ordering for themselves at a restaurant. They’ll learn practical safety strategies for parking lots, busy public spaces, and situations where they become separated from their group.

Campers will also practice basic map-reading and navigation skills and learn how to identify appropriate people and places to turn to for help. A Safe Spot Scavenger Hunt gives them a chance to put their new situational-awareness skills into action around the camp environment.

Skills: Situational awareness • Phone skills • Asking for help • Emergency communication • Restaurant ordering • Polite communication • Pedestrian & parking-lot safety • Public-space awareness • What to do if lost • Identifying appropriate helpers • Basic navigation • Map reading • Confidence

DAY 3 — Kaleing It!

Nutrition & Everyday Wellness

The final morning focuses on helping campers understand some of the everyday choices involved in taking care of themselves.

Campers will explore basic nutrition, learn about food groups, practice reading simple food labels, and discover what goes into building a balanced plate. During the Grocery Store Dash, teams will race to sort foods into categories and make smart choices while working against the clock.

They’ll also explore everyday wellness habits including proper handwashing, dental care, hydration, and sleep. Games and challenges—including Germ Tag—turn these lessons into active experiences that help reinforce what they’ve learned.

Camp concludes with a review of the week's skills and a celebration of everything campers can now do more independently.

Skills: Basic nutrition • Food groups • Reading food labels • Building a balanced plate • Making food choices • Handwashing • Personal hygiene • Dental care • Hydration • Healthy sleep habits • Decision-making • Personal responsibility • Independence

By the end of the three-day camp, campers will have practiced a wide range of everyday skills designed to help them feel more capable and confident—from tying a knot and sewing on a button to navigating public spaces, communicating for themselves, and making informed choices about their everyday wellness.

Skills We’ll Explore

• Knot tying & practical rope skills• Basic hand sewing & buttons• Fine-motor skills & coordination• Situational awareness & public safety• Phone skills & asking for help• Restaurant ordering & communication• Navigation & what to do if lost• Basic nutrition & food choices• Personal hygiene & everyday wellness• Problem-solving & decision-making• Independence, responsibility & confidence

Camp Details

Dates: December 21–23, 2026

Camp: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

Drop-Off: 8:45–9:00 AM

Pickup: 12:00–12:15 PM (unless staying for a full day)

Location: The Makery Studios at the

Encino Retreat Center

4316 Lanai Rd, Encino, CA 91436

What to Bring

Please send your camper each day with a refillable water bottle and sunscreen already applied. All supplies, equipment, and materials needed for camp activities are provided.

What to Wear

Campers should wear comfortable clothes that can handle a little mess and closed-toe shoes suitable for active, hands-on activities.

Food & Allergies

Campers may taste, sample, and eat foods used during camp activities with parent/guardian authorization. Please disclose all allergies and dietary restrictions and complete the required camper forms before camp begins.

If your camper has an allergy or significant dietary restriction, one of our Camp Directors will reach out for a consultation to discuss your camper’s needs and the accommodations we can provide. While we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate allergies, our activities take place in a shared commercial kitchen and cross-contact is possible.

Booking & Cancellation

We know plans can change! Bookings may be cancelled within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund. If your camper has an allergy or dietary need and, after speaking with our Camp Director, you are not comfortable with the accommodations we can provide, the standard cancellation restrictions will be waived and the affected camp block will be fully refunded.

See our full Cancellation Policy & Terms & Conditions for more details.