NORTH BAY HOMESCHOOL & ALTERNATIVE ED SPRING PICNIC 2026

Description

Join us on Friday, May 1st, 2026 for our 3rd annual North Bay Homeschool & Alternative Education Spring Picnic –an outdoor gathering for all the nature-based and alternative educators, families, programs, pods, micro-schools, co-operatives and communities from all over the the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond! 

All registrations MUST be in advance (no gate sales as this is a private event). Registration is open to all ages, individuals, families, friends, groups, and programs! We also invite everyone to bring flyers for their programs, offerings or related events to add to our General Flyer & Info Table.

Help grow this event! Can your group, pod or program help by sharing an activity, lawn game, swap, arts & crafts offering, or an info or vending booth? Reach out to: laurie@mortonswarmsprings.com for info + arrangements (for this event no later than Thursday, April 23)! 

See you on Friday, May 1st...

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This Special Event reservation grants access to the pools from 12pm until 5pm and to the site until 6pm. Arrive anytime!

Reservations are required for every person, even if you don’t plan to swim. Reservations are available here online on a first-come, first-served basis until fully booked. Reservations are not needed for infants and toddlers (2 years old & under) because they are always free of charge, provided that they have a swim diaper on while in the pool area at all times (swim diapers are available for sale at the gate and cafe if needed). 

Guest Policies:

• Preparing For The Pools
  • A towel is NOT provided but if you forget yours, there are towels available for sale at the cafe
  • Bathing suits are required in the pools at all times
  • No street clothes or cut-offs allowed in our mineral pools (the detergents and fibers clog our filters and negatively impact the general ecology)
  • We request the use of sun protective clothing instead of sunscreen wherever possible (e.g. sun hats, sun shirts and/or full-coverage swimsuits or rash guards made of swimsuit material). Sunscreen melts off in our warmer pools, effecting water clarity, and can cause environmental harm. Thank you for understanding.
    • IF YOU MUST USE SOME SUNSCREEN, IT MUST BE ALLOWED TO DRY 15+ MINUTES before entering the water! Please minimize the amount applied (e.g. .use only on your face along with a long-sleeved swim shirt for body protection).
    • Here is a recent (2021) article on the environmental effects of sunscreen, whether "reef safe" sunscreens are truly helping or not, and what we can do to respond!
  • No suntan oil or other skin products of any kind (lotions, oils, etc.) allowed in the water
  • EVERYONE MUST SHOWER before entering our mineral pools each time they enter throughout the day
  • NO FOOD, DRINKS OR GLASS IN POOL AREAS are allowed (water only in non-glass containers)
  • INFANTS / CHILDREN AGED 2 & UNDER MUST WEAR SWIMMING DIAPERS (we have some available for purchase at the gate and at the cafe)
• Gated Pool Area Rules
  • All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or adult!
  • 0-5 YRS + NON-SWIMMERS: Adult/guardian within arms reach at all times
    6-10 YRS + WEAK SWIMMERS: Adult/guardian is close, prepared & maintaining visual contact at all times
    11-15 YRS: An adult must maintain visual contact
  • No running
  • No diving/flips (feet first jumps into the pool is only allowed from the blue ledge not the pool deck)
  • No water guns, aggressive behavior or water fighting of any kind
  • No sports balls (very soft balls are occasionally allowed during less busy times, at lifeguard discretion)
  • Only small personal flotation devices allowed for safety or quiet floating only (noodles & baby floats are ok but not to be used to strike the water or anything/anyone else). No large flotation tubes, rafts or other large inflatables (lifeguards must be able to see under the water for safety)
  • If you're caring for someone who has special needs and who can't swim, let a lifeguard know as soon as you enter the pool area so we can join you in taking extra care to keep them safe.
• Property Rules
  • NO SOUND SYSTEMS OF ANY KIND OR SIZE are allowed anywhere on property
  • No water balloons, piñatas, confetti or other items which create micro-trash allowed anywhere on property
  • No smoking anywhere on site except in the parking lot or outside the gate
  • Outside food, drinks and coolers allowed only outside of pool and cafe areas. Alcohol is permitted as long as everyone drinking is 21 and over, alcoholic beverages are never left out or unattended, and the atmosphere is consistently maintained as family friendly for all.
  • We have lots of BBQs available but you will need to bring your own coals, lighter, lighter fluid, and grill tools. Personal charcoal BBQs from home are not allowed. Small personal propane grills are allowed if necessary but not preferred and please be fire safe with them.
  • Shade tents and pop-ups are allowed on the lawn and in the picnic areas that are less shaded by trees.
  • There are always picnic areas available that are not reserved by groups (usually for 20 or more people) and you are sure to find a good spot (and a BBQ if needed) if you come close to when we open at and you are flexible. Only groups can reserve a specific area.

Dogs & Pet Policy:

Our furry, four-legged companions are indeed welcomed here at Morton’s! However, as per health code, dogs (or any pets or animals) are not allowed within the gated Pool Area, including emotional support, companion and therapy animals. Only guide dogs, signal dogs and service animals that are specifically trained to aid a disabled person are welcome within the gated Pool Area.

Also, all pets on property must never be left unattended in a vehicle, they must be immediately cleaned up after, they cannot be a nuisance to other guests or bark repeatedly, and they must be leashed and attended by their human at all times. Thank you for respecting these guidelines!

Cancellation Policy (GENERAL ADMISSION):

Plan ahead: Morton’s Warm Springs has outdoor facilities and cannot be responsible for inclement weather or air quality. If you anticipate potentially needing to cancel your reservation for these or other reasons, please do so within the below time windows.

Contact us for a cancellation request: 
Cancellation requests must be received by email only to info@mortonswarmsprings.com and must include the following information:

• Order #
• Name on the order
• Email address on the order
• Phone number
• Your cancellation request:
  • What date and/or which people are you requesting to cancel?
  • Do you want to reschedule now or later? If now, what new date & time would you prefer?
  • Are you requesting a refund? (see refund policy below)

Cancellation requests received before 9am the day before your scheduled reservation date will be honored with three options:

1. Reschedule now to a different date (this season only)
2. Reschedule later to a different date (this season only) by receiving a promo code with your refund credit loaded
3. Receive a full refund back to your credit card*

*For refunds, additional fees added beyond the ticket price by our reservation software may be refunded fully, in part or not at all, depending on how long it’s been since the reservation was originally booked and whether it’s a partial or full refund.

Cancellation requests received between 9am the day before your scheduled reservation date and 9am on the day of your scheduled reservation date will be honored with two options: 

1. Reschedule now to a different date (this season only)
2. Reschedule later to a different date (this season only) by receiving a promo code with your refund credit loaded

Cancellation requests received after 9am on the day of your scheduled reservation date are considered no-shows and will be charged the full ticket price and no refunds or rescheduling will be offered.

Date & Time

Fri, May 1, 2026 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Venue Details

Morton's Warm Springs

1651 Warm Springs Road
Glen Ellen, California 95442

Morton's Warm Springs