Abundant Beginnings

our experience with abundant beginnings was great!!  the staff was very welcoming and thoughtful.  I took my 5 year old baby in for one week of summer camp and we walked away with the best gift, I could ever imagine.  It's called a "water check."  The staff would intentionally take time out to remind the kids to take a "water check" throughout the day.  It seems simple to do, but i'm not sure if many educators get to practice it as often or not.  Regardless, it has stuck with us an an intentional practice to do hourly as frequently as possible throughout the day, for hydration, health, and self-care.
Mar 6th, 2020

I cannot sing Abundant Beginnings' praises enough! I can speak to their teach-ins (e.g. MLK Jr Day), summer camps, school year camps, and school. They are all amazing! The teachers are fabulous -- their commitment to the growth and well-being of the children is remarkable. The values of the organization are what attracted our family first: social and environmental justice via queer eco-feminism. My child is learning about racism, standing up for others, and that white supremacy has got to go. There are no values that are more important to me -- AND our kiddo gets to spend all day every day outdoors -- at protests, in redwood groves, by lakes and streams. On days when the air is smokey or the weather is too intense, they head to local museums, libraries, or other local community learning spaces. There is a huge emphasis on community, which is a massive and welcome shift from most capitalist models of child development. I want my children to be in an environment where their feelings and needs matter and where children of color are prioritized and given the nurturing holistic environment they deserve. It is an honor and privilege to be a part of the AB community!
Oct 18th, 2019

This review is for the summer camp offered by the same company, Abundant Summers. Yelp doesn't give the option to provide a 0 star rating, which is the only reason that they have received 1 star from me. I enrolled my child in the summer program for a few days in June as well as after-care in January and paid in full.  After reading Yelp reviews, receiving previous camper feedback AND cancellation of the days that my child's school would be closed, I reached out to the company a couple of weeks prior to our start date and informed them that our plans had changed, we would no longer be utilizing the services and requested a refund. Response time was pro-longed, but after repeated follow-up I received a response informing me that someone was working on my case and a refund would be processed. After further delayed response times and additional follow-up on my end inquiring about receipt of the refund, I was repeatedly told that it was a busy time in preparation for the start of camp and I would receive a response. When I finally received a response which was weeks AFTER our scheduled camp days, I was told that a refund wouldn't be processed per 'policy'. A policy that I wasn't informed of upon sign-up and/or during the initial request and responses for refund. A claim submitted through the Better Business Bureau (I encourage others with similar experiences to do the same) indicate that the business has closed and/or was inaccessible though they are VERY active on social media and recently moved to a new location at 2739 E. 17th Street in Oakland. For those wondering if this would be a good place for their child to spend the summer, seriously reconsider.
Jul 21st, 2019

Jun 18th, 2018

Disappointed with the culture and competence.  I gave a star for effort and sincerity of counselors, and one for my lack of research.  From a competency perspective, I was surprised that there was zero effective shelter for kids during the raging rain storms spring 2018 - multiple, forecasted.  Kids were soaked for the duration.  Having run wilderness camps with no shelter, we always had a plan and capability to accommodate the worst case.  Even if it means calling for assistance.Next, I was surprised both my kids came home singing anti-male protest songs.  Everyone has their opinions, but I thought it immature, unprofessional and unacceptable to push some social/political agenda on my 3 and 7 year old.  You want to make that part of the curriculum, then notify me before I, a single dad, shells out money and time. I just want them to have fun, appreciate the outdoors, and make friends.  This indoctrination was unwanted - especially, as berkeley-born-and-raised, I expect them to form their own opinions at the appropriate time.
Aug 6th, 2018