Summer Adventure Camp

Our summer adventure programs for upper elementary through middle school campers are designed to let them experience the joys of the great outdoors while learning the basic skills of a naturalist. Campers will explore the basic tenets of wilderness survival and low-impact camping through activities aligned with each session theme. Each program involves off-site travel in state-inspected minivans driven by staff with clean driving histories.

Ages 10-12

Each two-week program for campers includes an off-site field trip as well as outdoor activities on Nature Center grounds. Possible field trips include paddling on a local waterway, hiking a section of the Appalacian Trail, visiting a working farm or going "behind the scenes" at a zoo or Vet's office.

• Each session will include one overnight camping experience on the Nature Center grounds plus one overnight camping experience off site (campers bring their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad & backpack).
• Maximum 14 campers per session with teacher-camper ratio of 1:7 max
• Sessions meet Monday-Friday from 9:00AM - 3:30PM (except when on an overnight campout)

Ages 12-15

NEW ENGLAND ADVENTURE EXCURSION: July 26-August 6
This special program takes campers on an extended adventure exploring a wilderness area of New England -- the amazing lakes and forests of Maine. Campers spend the first three days of the session at the Nature Center checking and assembling gear, learning about equipment use and safety, practicing basic skills, and doing team building exercises to prep for the adventure. The group departs July 29th and will spend 8 nights/9 days hiking, paddling and camping in Maine, returning on August 6.

• Detailed itinerary to come
• Space is limited to 13 adventurers who are mentally and physically ready for this intensive and life-changing adventure!
• The fee is $1510 and includes all activity and travel expenses, food while away, cookng gear, tents, canoe and other rental costs. Campers must bring their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad and backpack.

MASTER NATURALIST LEADERSHIP TRAINING
This exciting and intensive nature program will meet on 3 Saturdays in July from 10:00AM - 3:00PM. The program is designed to help teens build their science and nature knowledge base while developing leadership, critical thinking and higher learning skills while participating in fun activities with their peers. Participants will be mentored by our senior environmental educators, as well as learn first-hand about the animal kingdom through direct work with the 40 animals in our teaching collection. This is a great way to learn the skills needed to become an Animal Care Volunteer, learn what Environmental Educators do, build unique experiences for the future, or just have a great time outdoors with others who share similar interests.

• Summer Kickoff Dates: July 10, 17 & 24. (Future session will run during the school year - one Saturday & one week night per month).
• The fee for the summer program is $210.
• Space is limited to 12 dedicated teens who are interested in learning what it takes to be a naturalist!

An application will be posted in March for those interested in this program.