Summer has a funny way of sneaking up on parents.
One minute, you're packing school lunches and reminding everyone about homework. The next, you're staring at nearly two months of summer vacation, wondering how to keep the kids entertained without hearing "I'm bored" approximately 47 times a day.
Sound familiar?
If you're a parent in Marin County, California, you've probably already started looking at summer camps for 2027. Maybe you've checked out programs in Novato, San Rafael, or Mill Valley. Maybe your child has tried the usual sports camps, art classes, or indoor activities.
And while those can be great, perhaps this year you're looking for something a little different.
Something with more fresh air. More hands-on experiences. More stories to tell at the dinner table.
What if summer camp involved meeting horses, tackling outdoor challenges, or creating something entirely from scratch?
Just north of Marin County, in Petaluma, Summer at Strides is bringing three different summer adventures together at one ranch for 2027.
And the best part? Your child doesn't have to love horses to have an amazing time here.
Let's explore what's waiting beyond the usual summer camp.
Why Look Beyond Traditional Marin County Summer Camps?
Marin County has no shortage of summer activities.
Between its beautiful parks, outdoor recreation opportunities, art programs, and sports camps, there's plenty to choose from.
But finding the right summer camp isn't necessarily about finding the one with the longest activity list.
It's about finding something that makes your child light up.
Think about it.
Some children would happily spend an entire afternoon learning about animals. Others would rather run around outside inventing games with their friends. And then there are the creative thinkers who can turn a cardboard box, some paint, and a handful of supplies into an entire imaginary universe.
Different interests. Different personalities. Different ideas of a perfect summer day.
That's exactly why Summer at Strides offers three distinct camp experiences:
Riding Camp: For horse lovers and curious first-time riders.
Ranch Adventure Camp: For energetic explorers who love outdoor games and challenges.
Makers & Creators Camp: For imaginative minds who love designing, building, and making things.
Three camps. One Petaluma ranch. A whole lot of ways to spend summer.
Adventure #1: Riding Camp — For the Child Who Has Always Wanted to Meet a Horse
You know that child who points out every horse they see from the car window?
The one who asks if they can have a pony for their birthday?
Or maybe your child has never been around horses but is fascinated by the idea of learning to ride.
Either way, Riding Camp might be their kind of summer adventure.
More Than Just Sitting on a Horse
At Summer at Strides, riding is only part of the experience.
Campers get to spend time around horses, learn how to care for them, and discover what happens behind the scenes at a working riding academy.
Of course, there's riding.
But there's also grooming, learning about horse behavior, practicing horsemanship skills, and discovering how riders communicate with their horses.
It's one thing to admire a horse from a distance.
It's another to stand beside one, learn how to brush its coat, and begin understanding what makes these animals so special.
And sometimes, the moments that stay with children aren't the ones you'd expect.
Maybe it's the first time they successfully guide a horse through an exercise. Maybe it's discovering that their favorite horse has a funny personality. Or maybe it's realizing that caring for an animal is just as interesting as riding one.
What Can Campers Expect?
Riding Camp combines:
Small-group horseback riding lessons for beginners and intermediate riders.
Hands-on grooming and horse care.
Horsemanship activities and learning opportunities.
Mounted games and other horse-related activities.
Time outdoors with fellow campers who share an interest in horses.
Campers are grouped by age and riding ability to help make activities appropriate for their experience.
And no, your child doesn't need to own a horse to participate.
Riding Camp 2027 Details
Location: Petaluma, California
Dates: June 7–July 30, 2027
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Ages: 6–12
Tuition: $675 per week
Weekly capacity: 18 campers
Best for: Animal lovers, aspiring equestrians, and children who want a summer experience centered around horses.
Adventure #2: Ranch Adventure Camp — For Kids Who Think Sitting Still Is Overrated
Some children wake up ready to move.
They're the ones who turn the backyard into an obstacle course, invent elaborate games with their friends, and somehow still have energy left at bedtime.
If that sounds like your child, say hello to Ranch Adventure Camp.
This isn't a horseback riding program.
Instead, it's a summer camp designed around outdoor play, group challenges, exploration, and good old-fashioned fun.
The Kind of Summer That Gets Kids Moving
Remember the summers when a few friends, some open space, and a little imagination were all you needed?
That's the spirit behind Ranch Adventure Camp.
Rather than spending the day following a screen, campers get opportunities to move, play, solve problems, and work together.
Think big outdoor games, team challenges, and activities that encourage kids to try new things.
One activity might involve working together to complete a challenge. Another might encourage creative problem-solving or friendly competition.
And somewhere along the way, children get to experience something that's becoming increasingly valuable: unhurried time outdoors with other kids.
No video game controllers required.
Why Outdoor Challenges Are So Much Fun
There's something satisfying about figuring things out together.
Whether children are planning a strategy, cheering on teammates, or coming up with an unexpected solution, group activities give them opportunities to contribute in their own ways.
Not every child wants to be the loudest person on the team.
Some are natural organizers. Some notice details others miss. Some have creative ideas that completely change the game.
Ranch Adventure Camp gives those different personalities room to participate.
And sometimes, the best part of a challenge isn't winning.
It's the ridiculous, hilarious, completely unexpected thing that happens along the way.
Ranch Adventure Camp 2027 Details
Location: Petaluma, California
Dates: June 7–July 30, 2027
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Tuition: $375 per week
Weekly capacity: 24 campers
Best for: Outdoor explorers, energetic adventurers, social campers, and children who enjoy games, teamwork, and hands-on challenges.
Adventure #3: Makers & Creators Camp — For Kids Who See Possibilities Everywhere
Every family seems to have at least one child who loves making things.
You know the type.
Give them a few craft supplies, and suddenly your dining table becomes an art studio.
Give them building materials, and they're designing something that requires a very detailed explanation.
Ask what they're making, and the answer is usually, "You'll see!"
For these young inventors, artists, builders, and imaginative thinkers, there's Makers & Creators Camp.
A Summer Full of "What If?"
What if you could build something using unexpected materials?
What if you could turn a simple idea into a finished project?
What if there wasn't just one correct way to create something?
Makers & Creators Camp celebrates that kind of thinking.
Through hands-on art, building, and design projects, campers get to explore their creativity in ways that feel playful and engaging.
It's not about producing perfect artwork or making every project look exactly like an example.
It's about experimenting.
Trying different ideas.
Discovering what works.
And occasionally realizing that the original plan was nowhere near as interesting as the final result.
Creativity Doesn't Have to Stay Inside the Lines
One of the most enjoyable parts of making something is the process itself.
A child might begin with one idea, discover a problem, and decide to try something completely different.
That's part of creating.
And it's a valuable experience whether your child loves drawing, building, crafting, or simply figuring out how things work.
Makers & Creators Camp is designed to offer opportunities for imaginative thinking, hands-on projects, and collaboration.
It's also a wonderful alternative for children who may not be interested in horseback riding or traditional sports camps.
Because summer adventures don't always require running the fastest or jumping the highest.
Sometimes, they start with a blank piece of paper and a really interesting idea.
Makers & Creators Camp 2027 Details
Location: Petaluma, California
Dates: June 7–July 30, 2027
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Tuition: $375 per week
Weekly capacity: 24 campers
Best for: Young artists, builders, designers, inventors, and children who love creative projects.
One Ranch, Three Adventures: A Summer Camp Option for Marin County Families
Here's something parents with multiple children will appreciate.
Your children don't necessarily have to agree on what makes summer fun.
Maybe one child has been dreaming about horseback riding for years.
Their sibling? Absolutely no interest in horses. They'd much rather spend the day playing outdoor games.
And another child might prefer painting, designing, or building something new.
Usually, that means researching several camps, comparing schedules, and figuring out different drop-off locations.
At Summer at Strides, the three programs take place at the same Petaluma ranch, during the same camp hours.
That means siblings with different interests can attend different camp programs during the same week, subject to availability and age eligibility.
One drop-off location. Three ways to enjoy summer.
Pretty convenient, right?
Is Petaluma Worth Considering If You Live in Marin County?
If you've been searching for summer camps near Novato, San Rafael, or other Marin County communities, it's worth expanding your search north to Petaluma.
Located in neighboring Sonoma County, Petaluma offers a setting with agricultural roots, open spaces, and a long connection to ranch life.
For families in northern Marin County, especially Novato, Petaluma can be a practical option to explore when planning summer activities.
And while Summer at Strides isn't located within Marin County itself, it offers Marin families something different from a typical indoor camp setting.
Children can spend their days enjoying a ranch environment while participating in activities suited to their interests.
Before registering, families should consider their specific driving route, morning traffic, and pickup schedule.
The goal isn't simply to find the closest camp.
It's to find an experience your child will look forward to attending.
How to Choose the Right Summer Camp for Your Child
Still deciding which adventure fits best?
Here's a simple way to think about it.
Choose Riding Camp if your child:
Loves animals, is curious about horses, or wants to experience horseback riding and horsemanship.
Choose Ranch Adventure Camp if your child:
Enjoys outdoor play, group activities, friendly challenges, and opportunities to stay active.
Choose Makers & Creators Camp if your child:
Loves art, crafts, building, designing, or turning imaginative ideas into real projects.
And if your child enjoys more than one of these activities?
That's great, too.
With multiple camp weeks scheduled throughout summer 2027, families can explore different options based on their plans and available spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Camps Near Marin County
Where is Summer at Strides located?
Summer at Strides takes place in Petaluma, California, in Sonoma County. It's an option for families searching for summer camps near Marin County, including Novato and surrounding communities.
Does my child need horseback riding experience?
No previous riding experience is needed for beginner participants in Riding Camp. Campers are grouped according to age and riding ability.
Do all three camps include horseback riding?
No. Riding Camp focuses on horseback riding and horsemanship. Ranch Adventure Camp centers on outdoor games and challenges, while Makers & Creators Camp focuses on art, building, and design activities.
When does Summer at Strides 2027 take place?
The summer camp season is scheduled for June 7 through July 30, 2027, with eight consecutive weeks of programming.
What are the camp hours?
All three camps run Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Can siblings attend different camps during the same week?
Yes! Families can choose different camp programs for siblings based on their interests, provided each child meets the program requirements and spaces are available.
How much do the camps cost?
Riding Camp is $675 per week. Ranch Adventure Camp and Makers & Creators Camp are each $375 per week.
When does registration open?
Registration for Summer at Strides 2027 opens November 1, 2026. Families can review the available sessions and choose the camp that best fits their summer plans.
Summer 2027: Let's Make Room for Something Different
There will always be another show to watch, another game to download, and another afternoon spent wondering what to do next.
But summer also offers opportunities for experiences that don't happen every day.
Meeting a horse for the first time.
Working with new friends to complete an outdoor challenge.
Building something from an idea that started entirely in your imagination.
Those are the kinds of moments that make summer interesting.
So, if you're exploring Marin County summer camps for 2027 and haven't quite found the right fit, consider looking a little farther north.
At Summer at Strides in Petaluma, there are three different adventures waiting.
Ride. Explore. Create.
Which one sounds like your child's kind of summer?
Explore Summer at Strides 2027, find the adventure that fits your child, and reserve their spot for a summer full of fun, discovery, and new experiences!
Explore Summer at Strides 2027