Welcome to Fiddleheads!

Fun and Nurturing Pip-Pop Virtual Sessions, After-School Sessions, and Summer Sessions

With heavy hearts we are announcing that the Fiddleheads Summer Sessions have been cancelled for 2021.

Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the Fiddleheads program is unable to run a successful program this summer in full compliance with our clinical and safety guidelines. We want nothing more than to provide our dear Fiddle-friends support this summer, and have not made this decision lightly. 

We are deeply hoping that the Fiddleheads program will be able to continue on in the future. For the time being we are focusing on providing resources to help fill the gap left by our closure, and focusing on rebuilding the program to a hopeful return in the future.  All families who have already submitted a deposit will be refunded by the end of the week through PayPal. For those who are Regional Center clients, we will notify your Regional Center Service Provider that summer camp sessions have been cancelled. 

Below we have provided a collection of resources that may help to fill the gap that the cancellation of Fiddleheads may create, although please note that we do not necessarily have direct experience with these referrals. Additionally, your Regional Manager will send an email inviting you to opt-in to share your email address with other families in your region so that you may coordinate play-dates and share recommendations of local resources with each other. If you have additional programs or resources to recommend, we encourage you to share with us at fiddleheads@seedsofawareness.org. 

We understand with regret that this news may cause an emotional impact and deep disappointment for many of our cherished friends from the Fiddleheads community. We are heavy hearted and holding these hard feelings too – please reach out to us via email at fiddleheads@seedsofawareness.org if you need support or have further questions.

East Bay:

North Bay:

San Francisco:

San Mateo / Peninsula:

All Regions:

Pip-Pop Virtual Sessions

Our virtual programs are on hold for the immediate future. Check back soon for more information about Fiddleheads Pip-Pop Sessions.

Please reach out to us via email at fiddleheads@seedsofawareness.org if you need support or have further questions.

Learn More

After-School Sessions

Our nature immersion after-school groups are on hold for the immediate future. Check back soon for more information about Fiddleheads after-school.

Please reach out to us via email at fiddleheads@seedsofawareness.org if you need support or have further questions.

Learn More

Summer Sessions

With heavy hearts we are announcing that the Fiddleheads Summer Sessions have been cancelled for 2021.

We are holding these hard feelings with you – please reach out to us via email at fiddleheads@seedsofawareness.org if you need support or have further questions.

Learn More

Meet the Team

Our team is made up of licensed therapists, therapists in training and skilled educators. All of our counselors and clinicians are chosen to participate in Fiddleheads for their passion for the outdoors, working with children, and the real life impacts that relational and mindful therapy can have on someone’s life. Meet our team and the roles they will play in your child’s life below.

Interim Clinical Team Lead

Our Clinical Director oversees all clinical aspects of the Fiddleheads Program. They oversee our training, guide and support our therapists and ensure proper clinical supervision is provided.  

Associate Program Director

The Associate Program Director oversees and supports the administration of the FH’s program by the Fiddleheads team, which consists of regional managers, counselors, clinicians, and clinical supervisors. The APD’s dynamic role includes overseeing the program budget, providing guidance to team members, coordinating with the Clinical Director, and problem-solving with families and/or team members in the field. 

Regional Managers

Fiddleheads Regional Manager provides support and training to our Fiddleheads Clinical Counselors, reports to the Associate Program Director and Clinical Director, and supports the administration of the nature-based after-school sessions and summer sessions in one of the regional locations in which Fiddleheads operates. Our Regional Managers are experts in what they do and hold together the many locations in which Fiddleheads operates. 

Counselors and Clinical Counselors

Fiddleheads Counselors and Clinical Counselors use Fiddleheads curriculum and training to facilitate a social and emotional learning experience for children in a natural setting. Counselors are selected for their passion for working with youth in nature, their experience with neurodivergent youth, Our counselors are either on a clinical track as professional counselors, interns, or trainees with or pursuing master’s degrees in psychology, or are professionals with backgrounds in counseling, social work, psychology or outdoor education. All of our counselors receive weekly supervision and thorough training and support.

Fiddleheads Methodology

Fiddleheads practices stem from the latest research on mindfulness, developmental psychology and neurobiology to create an impactful social and emotional learning curriculum. Social lessons are integrated into each session experientially and are brought to life through mindfulness games, dramatic play, and storytelling, giving the children important tools for understanding themselves within the world around them.
(click the icons below for more information)

Nature

Small Groups

Unplugging from Tech

Empathy & Emotional Regulation

Presence & Attunement

Ritual

Mindfulness

Social Skills

Positive Reinforcement

Fiddleheads Participants

Many of the children we work with at Fiddleheads After-School Sessions and Summer Sessions may not have “labels” but have a cluster of symptoms the parents are seeking support with or finding accommodations for. We also welcome neurotypical children to our programs and believe it is a wonderful opportunity to deepen a child’s understanding of the wide array of ways that we all move with, and in, this world and each other. Children we have worked with in the past may have a diagnosis of: 

  • ADHD
  • Aspergers/High Functioning Autism
  • Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD or Atypical Autism)
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • Sensory Processing Disorder or Sensory Integration Dysfunction
  • Speech and Language Delay
  • Bi-Polar
  • Anxiety Disorder

Fiddleheads Testimonials

From Parents

  • “Fiddleheads Summer Camp provides my child with a safe day camp setting where I can leave him for the whole day knowing that he will be understood and well cared for, while having a fun and totally enjoyable day in nature. He feels totally secure because he knows that, if he has a meltdown or any problem, the counselors will handle it in a way that brings him back into self-control without being made to feel guilty or ashamed. I am so thankful for Fiddleheads because there aren’t many programs where both he and I can experience total peace of mind while he participates.”
  • “Now, I have always liked the idea of a social skills group, but been wary of them, wondering if they would make my son feel different or stigmatized. But, at the recommendation of his doctor, and at the direction of a good friend whose son attends their summer camps, I found my way to Fiddleheads. I still can’t believe my luck!”
  • “She had a wonderful time. I loved the fact that she was immersed in nature. She enjoyed the games and activities. Always emerged rosy cheeked and smiling. … she really emerged into a more calm child, better able to handle frustrations and express herself.”
  • “Overall very positive and helpful. Less anxious, enjoys natures more, and feels more connected and regulated.”
  • “It is a unique approach that gives kids the opportunity to be as big as they need to be, get in touch with their bodies and emotions, learn how to make friends, interact with peers, and resolve conflicts ~ all while having fun and learning about nature. I would recommend this group without reservation!”

From Children

  • “I feel really lucky to be in Fiddleheads because everyone really listens.”
  • “Everyone is really nice and the counselors are wonderful! I feel like I can be myself.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your refund policy?

Refund Policy:

Please understand that we keep our groups small to facilitate effective groups, and many fill up quickly. In order to provide the highest quality program, and to reliably staff our programs, we must plan well in advance based on confirmed registrations.

  • Initial Deposit ($200): Non-refundable.
  • Group Fees:
    • 30 days before start of group: 100% refund.
    • Once group has begun: credit of 25% to any Seeds offering.

If your child leaves the group early for any reason, there will be no full or partial refunds issued. If your child is unable to attend, please consider converting all or part of your registration fees into a tax-deductible donation to Seeds of Awareness. This will help us to offer Fiddleheads and other Seeds services to those who can’t afford them.

If it is determined that your child is not a viable fit for the Fiddleheads program or if your child’s session is cancelled due to low enrollment your deposit will be fully refunded.

We will do everything within our power to ensure the safety of our staff and Fiddleheads kiddos. If the afterschool or summer camp program is cancelled due to COVID-19, due to the viability of our organization and the need to pay our staff, we will be unable to issue refunds. For an outline of our COVID-19 policies, please click here.

Contact Us

Have a question that isn’t answered here? Send us a message!