NIGHt sky Youth Camp at oakoasis
A Special July Overnight Experience for Youth, Rooted in Nature, Story, Movement & Ancestral Sky Knowledge
Welcome to Ascendtials’ Night Sky Youth Camp, a special overnight experience happening in July at Oakoasis County Preserve. Designed for youth seeking connection, culture, and adventure, this gathering invites participants to explore the night sky, movement, storytelling, and nature in a meaningful community setting.
Why Night Sky Youth Camp Matters
Night Sky Youth Camp offers young people a chance to slow down and reconnect with knowledge that has been carried across generations. Through ancestral African understandings of the sky, students develop a deeper awareness of their relationship to the land, the stars, and the natural rhythms around them. Movement, mindfulness, and time outdoors help ground participants in their bodies, while shared storytelling creates a sense of belonging and collective care. Immersed in nature, youth experience its quiet healing power and learn to see themselves as part of a larger cosmic story.
Students leave the camp feeling centered, inspired, and connected to the land beneath their feet and the sky above them.
Oakoasis County Preserve in Lakeside, California is a nearly 400-acre open space park known for its peaceful woodland and chaparral landscapes. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, the preserve features a well-marked 2.5-mile loop trail that winds through oak groves, manzanita, and hills, offering scenic views of the surrounding mountains and reservoir areas. It’s part of the future Trans-County Trail system and welcomes hikers, horses, and leashed dogs. The preserve also hosts community programs like July star gazing events and overnight group camping during warmer months, making it a great spot for nature walks, stargazing, and light backpacking.
What to Expect at the Site
- The preserve has several sites, including a gazebo with a grill for the lunch/dinner area and a campfire site
- We’ll be pitching tents throughout the grounds for a full camping experience
- Firewood is provided on site
- Check-in takes place at Stelzer County Park, just down the road from Oakoasis
Fees & What's Included
Program Fee Overview
Each participant contributes a Program Support Fee that directly covers the essential costs required to run the overnight experience safely and sustainably.
What the Fee Pays For
Your contribution directly supports the materials and logistics needed for the overnight camp, including:
Food & Hospitality
- Hot evening meal
- Healthy evening snack
- Morning snack
- Water + hydration supplies
Transport Support
- Shuttle or van transport (if applicable)
- Staff travel
- Equipment transport
Program Supplies
- Drumming equipment
- Flashlights + lanterns
- First-aid + safety supplies
- Firewood + camp materials
Participant Packing List
To ensure a comfortable and safe overnight experience, participants should bring:
- Yoga mat & Comfortable hiking shoes
- Warm layers + jacket
- Reusable water bottle
- Sleeping bag or blanket
- Personal toiletries
- Notebook + pen (optional)
Provided by ASCENDtials
ASCENDtials provides the following required materials:
- Night Sky Camp curriculum booklets
(available for purchase on our store) - Constellation worksheets
- Drumming + sound tools
- Safety equipment, Flashlights + lanterns
Camp Itinerary
A detailed look at our immersive weekend schedule under the stars.
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3:00 PM – 4:00 PMArrival, Check-In, Camp Setup & Welcome
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4:00 PM – 5:00 PMNature Exploration Activity focused on the preserve’s unique plants and landscapes
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5:00 PM – 6:00 PMRecreation Time, Team-Building & Camp Activities
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6:00 PM – 8:00 PMCampfire Dinner Preparation, BBQ, Shared Meal & Cleanup
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8:00 PM – 9:00 PMRanger Kyle-Led Hike through the preserve
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9:00 PM – 10:00 PMStargazing & Night Sky Observation
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10:00 PM – 11:00 PMQuiet Campfire Social Time, Reflection & Getting Ready for Bed
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11:00 PMLights Out & Overnight Camping
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7:00 AM – 7:30 AMMorning Yoga & Stretching
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7:30 AM – 8:15 AMBreakfast
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8:15 AM – 9:00 AMCamp Cleanup, Packing & Morning Recreation
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9:00 AM – 10:00 AMRanger-Led Animal Encounter & Educational Program
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10:00 AM – 11:00 AMInteractive Drumming Workshop
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11:00 AM – 11:30 AMGroup Reflection, Closing Activities & Participant Feedback
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11:30 AM – 12:00 PMFinal Cleanup, Breakdown of Camp & Departure
What Groups Need to Provide
For group bookings (schools, youth orgs, after-school programs):
- Confirmed roster of participants
- 1-2 chaperones per 10 youth
- Completed waivers
- Transportation plan
- Dietary restrictions list
- Emergency contact list
