Summer Nature Program

Our action-packed nature camp for age 3 - grade 4 allows campers to spend the day exploring the Nature Center’s 40-acre outdoor classroom as they travel along the trails, investigate life around our ponds, and get eyeball-to-eyeball with live critters from our collection of more than 45 teaching animals.

Our Summer Nature Camp ratio of counselors to campers is 1:8 to ensure that each camper enjoys a quality educational experience which is both personal and fun.

For more information about our camp policies and procedures, please click here to read our FAQ's.

Click here to learn about our Teacher Naturalist in Training (TNT) program.

Finders (Age 3)

For campers who will turn 3 by March 1, 2008. Children must be completely toilet trained. Morning (9 a.m.-noon) sessions only. We recommend Nurturing Nature for very young three year olds.

Session 1: June 2 - 6
Nature ABC's

Learn the ABC's the natural way! We'll meet a variety of plants and animals from A-Z as we learn the alphabet and explore the great outdoors!

1 week session
9 a.m. - noon / $190.00

Session 2: June 9 - 20
Teaming with Nature

In this hands-on camp, we'll partner with the natural world through exploration and interactive activities. Discover the nature center's habitats and meet the animals that call them home.

2 week session
9 a.m. - noon / $375.00

Session 3: June 23 - July 3
It's a Jungle Out There!

Opossums, owls, and turtles, oh my! In this fun filled camp, we'll do the animal boogie and dance to the animal beat. Campers will meet new friends of the furry, feathered, and scaly kind! This session will feature a special guest.

9 day session; no camp July 4
9 a.m. - noon / $340.00

Session 4: July 7 - 18
Puddle Stompers (special session - Aquatic Camp!)

This camp is all wet! Join the NCNC as we explore the watery world around us. From puddles to ponds, campers will meet animals and plants that live in water. Don't forget your galoshes! This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - noon / $375.00

Session 5: July 21 - August 1
Small Wonders

Nothing will be small about the fun that this action-packed camp has in store for your camper! Students will discover nature's tiniest (but still important) plants and animals and explore a variety of miniature mysteries. This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - noon / $375.00

Session 6: August 4 - 8
Colorful Creations

A cast of "colorful characters" awaits your camper as they explore the world around them. Through daily hikes and animal presentations, we'll match colors with plants and animals to create a wildlife rainbow. Crafts and games will add to the fun.

1 week session
9 a.m. - noon / $190.00

Session 7: August 11 - 22
Let's be Sensible!

Join us as we use our five senses to explore the Nature Center! Campers will see, feel, touch, smell, and taste their way around the NCNC's meadow, forest, and pond habitats. Some of our favorite animal friends will teach us how they use their senses to survive, too! This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - noon / $375.00

Session 8: August 25 - 27
Hooray for Herps!
Buddy Camp (Finders and Discoverers)

Learn what's so terrific about turtles and fantastic about frogs! In this fun-filled camp, we'll meet a variety of reptiles and amphibians. Themed crafts, games, and activities will help campers learn the differences between these two important animal groups.

4 day session
9 a.m. - noon / $150.00

Discoverers (Ages 3 - 5)

For campers who are 4 by December 31, 2008 and are entering a 4s preschool or kindergarten in the fall.

Discoverers can choose:

• NEW! 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (sessions 3 - 7 only)
• Morning: 9 a.m.- noon

Session 1: June 2 - 6
MiniBeasts

With the help of a hand lens, we'll discover all things small in nature! Don't miss the tiny treasures that this camp has to offer, as we meet animals, explore habitats, and dig deeper into the world around us!

1 week session
9 a.m.- noon / $190.00

Session 2: June 9 - 20
Nature Detectives

Put on your detective hats! With the help of our five senses, we'll be going undercover to solve nature's most exciting mysteries. Each day will bring a new "case" to solve in the great outdoors!

2 week session
9 a.m.- noon / $375.00

Session 3: June 23 - July 3
The Seven Wonders of the NCNC

Explore the habitats that make the nature center such a special place! We'll investigate the forest, field, pond, sky and canopy, underground, and even the "human habitat" in this fun-filled camp. This session will feature a special guest.

9 day session; no camp July 4
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $500.00
9 a.m.- noon / $340.00

Session 4: July 7 - 18
The Blue Planet (special session - Aquatic Camp!)

Dive in to the life aquatic as we study the many ways that plants and animals (and even us humans) depend on water. Animal presentations, games, and experiments will highlight nearby waterways, including pond, ocean, and stream habitats. This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $575.00
9 a.m.- noon / $375.00

Session 5: July 21 - August 1
What's Your Cover?

Have you ever seen a furry owl or a feathered rabbit? From fur to feathers to scales, this camp will set the record straight, featuring the unique characteristics of each animal group. This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $575.00
9 a.m.- noon / $375.00

Session 6: August 4 - 8
Tree Huggers

The forest is a wonderful place! Get to know the animals and plants that call the forest home and learn how it changes throughout the seasons. Each camper will even "adopt" a tree of their very own!

1 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $300.00
9 a.m.- noon / $190.00

Session 7: August 11 - 21
Backyard Naturalists

Forget Africa or Australia - some of the most amazing animals are in our very own back yard! We'll stay close to home as we go on a super safari, exploring Connecticut's wildlife through animal presentations, games, and hands-on activities. This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $575.00
9 a.m.- noon / $375.00

Session 8: August 24 - 27
Hooray for Herps!
Buddy Camp (Finders and Discoverers)

Learn what's so terrific about turtles and fantastic about frogs! In this fun-filled camp, we'll meet a variety of reptiles and amphibians. Themed crafts, games, and activities will help campers learn the differences between these two important animal groups.

4 day session
9 a.m.- noon / $150.00

Explorers (Grades 1 - 2)

For campers entering grades 1 and 2.

New in 2008! Explorers camps run 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., throughout the summer, for extra discovery and exploration time! A supervised lunch period is included.

Session 3: June 23 - July 3
Wildlife Discovery Camp

Discover insects, spiders, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals, as we investigate a new animal group each day. Campers will also go "behind the scenes" to learn how the nature center cares for wildlife. This session will feature a special guest.

9 day session; no camp July 4
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $500.00

Session 4: July 7 - 18
Sea SI (special session - Aquatic Camp!)

Why is the sea salty? How do fish breathe underwater? We'll go wild for water in this special camp, as we answer these mysteries and discover the importance of good ol' H20! We'll even learn the special adaptations that help animals to survive in the water as we meet live aquatic animals! This session will feature a special guest.

9 day session; no camp July 4
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $575.00

Session 5: July 21 - August 1
The Untouchables

For the brave at heart, this interactive camp gets up close and personal with nature's slimiest and scaliest animals. From snakes to hissing cockroaches, you'll learn why these often-misunderstood critters are so important to the natural world! This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $575.00

Session 6: August 4 - 8
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Take a closer look at threatened and endangered animals, and discover what humans can do to prevent them from becoming extinct. This camp will introduce animals from sea turtles, right whales, and mountain gorillas, to critters that are a little closer to home. We'll even meet a bald eagle that can teach us a thing or two about conservation!

1 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $300.00

Session 7: August 11 - 22
Natural Expressions

For the budding artist - this camp features animals, authors, and art! Each fun-filled day will feature a nature-themed story, an animal presentation, and original art projects! Don't miss this chance to mix your creativity with the great outdoors. This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $575.00

Session 8: August 25 - 27
Mysteries of the Night
Buddy Camp (Explorers and Trackers)

Don't sleep through all the fun - we'll study the mysteries of nighttime science in the daytime! Campers will meet nocturnal animals, study astronomy, and learn how animals use their senses to survive at night

4 day session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $275.00

Trackers (Grades 3 - 4)

For campers entering grades 3 and 4.

New in 2008! Trackers camps run 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., throughout the summer, for extra discovery and exploration time! A supervised lunch period is included. Each camp also features an off-site field trip!

Session 3: June 23 - July 3
Scientist for a Day

Have you ever wanted to be a marine biologist or a wildlife rehabilitator? Now's your chance! During each day of this exciting camp, we'll learn from the experts and take on the challenge of a different science profession! This camp features a fieldtrip to the Maritime Aquarium. This session will feature a special guest.

9 day session: no camp July 4
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $500.00

Session 4: July 7 - 18
As the Tide Turns (special session - Aquatic Camp!)

Check out the ocean world as you've never seen it before, as we unleash our inner oceanographers! We'll study marine animals and other critters that live in the harsh intertidal environment - don't miss the fish dissection! A field trip to the beach highlights this action-packed camp. This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $575.00

Session 5: July 21 - August 1
Nature and the Arts

Nature is the perfect canvas! We'll delve into outdoor photography, creative writing, and environmental art as we explore the NCNC's many habitats. Along the way, we'll meet a variety of animals and even take on the role of journalists as we put together our own camp newspaper and talk show. A field trip to the Beardsley Zoo will complete the fun. This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $575.00

Session 6: August 4 - 8
Lost in the Wild: Survival Camp

Get lost! In this exciting camp, campers will find their way out again! Learn to navigate in the wilderness and discover other skills to survive in the great outdoors. Campers will also design a nature scavenger hunt, study the art of tracking, and sample culinary delights from the "Campfire Gourmet!" This camp features a field trip to the Nature Conservancy's Devil's Den Preserve.

1 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $300.00

Session 7: August 11 - 21
Wildlife in Jeopardy!

We'll spotlight endangered and threatened animals around the globe and learn the simple steps we can take towards conservation. Along the way, we'll study wildlife up close- and in a fun, interactive game show format! Not to be missed, this camp includes a field trip to the Wolf Conservation Center. This session will feature a special guest.

2 week session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $575.00

Session 8: August 25 - 27
Mysteries of the Night
Buddy Camp (Explorers and Trackers)

Don't sleep through all the fun - we'll study the mysteries of nighttime science in the daytime! Campers will meet nocturnal animals, study astronomy, and learn how animals use their senses to survive at night

4 day session
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. / $275.00