Welcome to Sunbeam
Earth-Based Learning for the New Generation
West Petaluma, CA
Every child deserves ample time outdoors to play, explore, and move. At Sunbeam Nature School, our mission is to enable children and their families to get outside and play, celebrating and connecting with the joy and beauty of nature around us and within us.
We are a working & learning farm where we practice regenerative agriculture to honor the earth and water.
We fight climate change through gardening, shepherding, and community events. We host a year-round, tuition free co-op school for children ages 2 to 6 six years old and classes and camps for school-age children 4.5 years old and above.
Enrollment Open for the 2024 Summer and Fall!
Our early childhood program for 2-6-year-olds is now a parent Co-op!
The Co-op is comprised of 12 children max each day. The mixed-age groups enable older children to mentor younger children; our ratio of 1:4 enables us to differentiate the learning experiences and work in small groups.
We are accepting applications for summer and fall 2024. Families who enroll will pay a monthly membership to cover supplies, materials, and administrative costs, and each family will be required to work three half-day shifts per month with the children, 8:30am - 12:30pm, with an additional four hours of volunteer work per month. The co-op community also collectively decides on the enrichment class budget for each semester.
We offer an afternoon program that incorporates rest time. If you need full-day hours, that is possible! Please message us for details.
Nature Camps & After School Classes for ages 5-10
Spanish-immersion outdoor play, gardening and farm animals, co-authored creative projects and nature studies!
Afternoon Nature Clubs
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 1-5pm
($25 per two-hour session)
Spring Break Camps
8:30-2:30pm, optional extended care until 4:30pm
$325 per week, extended care $12.5/hour
March 18-22
March 25-29
April 8-12
April 29 ($66)
Summer Camps:
8:30-2:30pm, optional extended care until 3:30pm
$325 per week, holiday weeks $288
June 17-21 (No Camp on 6/19 holiday)
June 24-28
July 1-5 (No camp on 7/4 holiday)
July 8-12
July 15-19
July 22-26
July 29 - Aug 2
Aug 5-9
How to Tour
The first step is to apply. You can choose a visit day in the drop-down menu of the registration form.
We offer visit days at least once a month, typically on Thursdays at 10:00am or at 1:30pm.
You may also RSVP for an upcoming event!
Feb 25 Sunbeam Community Day:
Work Party and Open House! 10:00am - 1:00-pm
David Sobel
"What's important is that children have an opportunity to bond with nature, to learn to love it, before being asked to heal its wounds."
Upcoming Events
Sat, Mar 09PetalumaMar 09, 2024, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAMar 09, 2024, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAAre you curious to find out more about our unique approach to outdoor learning in collaboration? Visit our farm school to learn what it means to us to belong to a community that is committed to preserving a child's right to freely explore, take risks, solve problems, and be connected to the earth.
Sun, Feb 25PetalumaFeb 25, 2024, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAFeb 25, 2024, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAWould you like to come do some creative, resourceful building with us? Would you like to learn how to keep chickens safe in West Petaluma? Then this work day is for you! We're calling all volunteers to help us with some handy jobs, as well as some mud maintenance and materials organization.
Wed, Nov 08ArtalumaNov 08, 2023, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMArtaluma, 145 Keller Street, Petaluma, CA 94952Nov 08, 2023, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMArtaluma, 145 Keller Street, Petaluma, CA 94952Come join us for the second in our community education series, all about play! Let's define what play is, what it isn't, and why it's invaluable to human development, as we explore our varying comfort levels with certain types of play.
Fri, Nov 03PetalumaNov 03, 2023, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USANov 03, 2023, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAWe invite you to join us in a family-friendly, inclusive celebration of a meaningful holiday in the Mexican culture: Dia de los Muertos! Children and adults of all ages are welcome! Guided by our beloved Ms. Raquel Macias, this will be a lighthearted and beautiful event.
Wed, Oct 04ArtalumaOct 04, 2023, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMArtaluma, 145 Keller Street, Petaluma, CA 94952Oct 04, 2023, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMArtaluma, 145 Keller Street, Petaluma, CA 94952Why is the outdoor environment a child's best teacher? What is the importance of movement, loose parts and open-ended materials? We will explore these child development foundational concepts at our first parent education night at Artaluma!
Fri, Sep 22PetalumaSep 22, 2023, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USASep 22, 2023, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USACelebrate our love for the earth! Join us at our farm school to Tinker with "Magic Trash" (recycled art) with Ocean as our theme. Take a walk through Sunbeams' project work, learn about fall planting in our garden, and join us on the hill for reflection on the Equinox.
Fri, Sep 15PetalumaSep 15, 2023, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USASep 15, 2023, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAFamily Friendly Event in support of the Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels: Come tinker and make recycled art with us - ART-ivism! We are open to the community from 9am to 11am. Bring your recycling and let's make something beautiful.- Thu, Sep 07PetalumaSep 07, 2023, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PMPetaluma, 4456 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA
Wed, May 31PetalumaMay 31, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PMPetaluma, 4456 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA
Sun, Mar 19PetalumaMar 19, 2023, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA
Sat, Mar 11Grand Central PetalumaMar 11, 2023, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AMGrand Central Petaluma, 226 Weller St, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA
Fri, Nov 04Sunbeam Nature SchoolNov 04, 2022, 4:00 PM – Nov 05, 2022, 6:00 PMSunbeam Nature School, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USANov 04, 2022, 4:00 PM – Nov 05, 2022, 6:00 PMSunbeam Nature School, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAThe Sunbeam learning community is creating an altar that honors the animals that we have lost, in our families and in the world: animals en peligro de extincion. Come view and add to our altar, decorate a paper skull mask, feed our sheep, and enjoy food and drink from Taqueria Los Campos.
Sun, Sep 18PetalumaSep 18, 2022, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA- Tue, Sep 06Sunbeam Nature SchoolSep 06, 2022, 5:30 PM – Sep 07, 2022, 6:30 PMSunbeam Nature School, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USASep 06, 2022, 5:30 PM – Sep 07, 2022, 6:30 PMSunbeam Nature School, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAWe welcome you to come and tour our space, get a feel for us, get questions answered, and meet fellow community members! This family-friendly event is for all enrolled families (current, summer, next year) as well as for prospective families.
- Sun, Jun 05Sunbeam Nature SchoolJun 05, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AMSunbeam Nature School, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAJun 05, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AMSunbeam Nature School, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAWe welcome you to come and tour our space, get a feel for us, get questions answered, and meet fellow community members! This family-friendly event is for all enrolled families (current, summer, next year) as well as for prospective families.
Sun, May 29PetalumaMay 29, 2022, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PMPetaluma, 1002 Bodega Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952, USA- Sat, Mar 26Grand Central PetalumaMar 26, 2022, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AMGrand Central Petaluma, 226 Weller St, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAMar 26, 2022, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AMGrand Central Petaluma, 226 Weller St, Petaluma, CA 94952, USAMs. Shawna is facilitating Grand Central's Saturday Story time, all are welcome to attend! Grab a yummy treat and drink from inside, and bring your own blanket to the back lot, overlooking the Petaluma River turn basin and downtown, for stories and songs that celebrate family.