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What should my child bring to camp?

Children are to bring a day pack each day with necessary items: swim suit and towel, old shoes, change of clothing, and a nutritious lunch. Ponchos are recommended on rainy days. All activities are outside, rain or shine! During thunderstorms, activities are held inside. Please label everything. A separate drawstring bag or day pack can remain in the child's cubby for clothes, poncho, and swimming clothes.

How do the Counselors determine the swimming ability my child?

On the first, or second, day of camp, counselors take children individually into the pool. The Water Safety Instructor and Life Guards determine swimming ability. Please be sure children have swimsuits and towels the first day of camp.

When does bike trail riding take place and what should my child bring?

Bike Trail Riding is offered every Thursday. Campers must have a properly fitted bike, properly fitted helmet, water bottle, and bell/horn for a pleasant riding experience. Bikes may be brought to camp Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. Bikes may kept at NC throughout the session. (Training wheels are not permitted on the NC Bike Rides.)

When are the Family Overnights? What all is involved?

Family Overnights are held during the second week of each session. The Family Overnight dates are on Dates are: Thursdays, June 26, July 10, 24, and Wed., Aug. 6. Children stay that whole day at camp and parents arrive after work. Come early for a swim in the pool; to head down to the Challenge Course; or to be mellow on endless porch swings with a cup of tea/coffee or hot chocolate.

Children are involved in activities until parents arrive. Supper is 6-ish. Tents are welcome, although many NC families, and certainly the NC Staff, sleep under the beautiful stars. Cabins are available in inclement weather.

All are most welcome for our vegetarian potluck dinner at the campsite, followed by all-family games and a relaxing, delightful evening concert. Following the concert, activities include "night walks," tie-dying (bring all cotton T-shirts), magic wish boats in the pool, and particular evening crafts: pottery, carving, rock shop, etc. There will be a campfire and songs before bedtime.

All children who stay are under the care of their parents at all times.

By 7:00 a.m. fires will be made, with hot cocoa and coffee ready -- with breakfast soon to follow: delicious blueberry pancakes, potatoes & onions and eggs, and orange juice!

When does the camp day officially begin?

Children are to arrive at camp by 8:45 a.m. Small group activity choosing begins directly at 9:00 a.m. The camp day is over at 3:00 p.m. (Extended hours are 7:00 am to 6:00 PM)

What are the hours of the Extended Day Program? What takes place during these hours?

In the morning children are supervised on the swings or doing crafts in front of the Nature Center. In the afternoon there are several options: swimming supervised by the Water Safety Instructor, crafts take place in front of the Nature Center, the swings are busy as ever and the huge box is usually full of architects building elaborate structures. ALL extended hours are well supervised. Hours 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

How is food provided for the Family Overnights?

For our delicious feast on the Family Overnight each child will be asked to bring a pot-luck dish or food item, which the children and staff will use in their cooking supper, breakfast, and lunch for both days. All Nature Camps meals are served vegetarian style with both the staff and children creating the feasts. We ask families to share in bringing food items requested, even if they are unable to join us. Thanks!

Is there a carpool list?

In early June an extensive carpool list is sent to all registered families. NC believes in conserving our planet's resources. Therefore, Nature Camps encourages families to carpool whenever possible.

What are Staff Qualifications?

Nature Camps Staff possesses a strict safety constitution and adhere to the Nature Camps philosophy and guidelines. Staff members are certified in Adult/Child First Aid & CPR, Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Life Guard certification, ACA Canoeing certification, and Adventure Ropes Course Training and Group Facilitation. Counselors have thorough background checks, including the required Criminal Background Check. Meet the staff!

Where do participants come from?

All over the Baltimore metropolitan area, the I-83 corridor, and the Westminster, Bel Air and York, Pa. areas. Each summer we have students from other countries enrolled. Over 60 public and private schools attend camp each summer.

How long has Nature Camps, Inc. been in business?

We are beginning our 34th year this summer!! For the first twelve years Nature Camps, Inc. was called Don Webb Nature Camp, at the old Happy Hollow Camp facility off Padonia Road and Happy Hollow Roads. Then with a change in location our name changed, but not our philosophy and unique ways of being with children and folks of all ages.

Can I talk to a past Camper/Teen Adventure or a parent who has attended?

Yes. You are also welcome to talk to educators, psychologists, and administrators. Nature Camps will be glad to give you these contacts. Call or e-mail Nature Camps, Inc.

How safe is this camp?

Our mission is to provide the safest camp conditions and to provide for the physical, emotional, and psychological well being of all participants and staff. Outdoor adventure and environmental education have inherent risks that are different from a "classroom" setting. Nature Camps continues to minimize these risks through safety conscious staff, proper equipment management, always updated physical conditions, and daily 45 minute staff meetings at the end of the day. Risk management and safety guidelines are our top priorities.

Effective Outdoor Leaders must constantly upgrade their safety, environmental, educational, and risk management practices. NC's approach to safety and risk management is entwined with competence, sound judgment, and purposeful, substantial programming. Our staff implicitly guides every action and interaction, to reduce accident potential.

At NC it truly comes down to this: If there is a situation where safety would be compromised, it is a situation in which we will not participate.

How can I get a Nature Camps catalog?

Easily. All information is online, call us at 410-343-0223, or fill out an on-line request.

Where exactly is Nature Camps?

Monkton, Maryland. Map and driving directions.

Where are the van pick-up locations and times?

Greenspring Station. The a.m. window of time is 8:00-8:15, returning at 5:15 p.m.

Are van children also charged for the Extended Day Program?

"No! The children become part of that program, being involved in supervised activities."

Can parents visit camp during the camp day?

Definitely. A very important goal of Nature Camps has always been to welcome parents to visit or participate anytime. This has always been our policy and has always been stated on our brochure. Children feel so good about "their" camp when parents take the time to share the experiences their children have found to be meaningful.

What has been Nature Camps' long standing policy about children's lunches?

As stated in the Nature Camp brochure: "In keeping with our philosophy of trying to use the better part of wisdom with all growing folks, especially here at camp . . . PLEASE. . . NO candy, gum, artificial drinks, or sweets of any kind. Whole juices, fruits, nuts, and vegetables recommended." The Nature Camp Staff embodies this principle. Please pack only nonperishable items in your child's lunch, as the children often eat lunch on hikes or away from base camp. Nature Camps doesn't not provide refrigeration for campers' lunches.

Why do you need my child's signature on the Health Form? My child is only 4, why do you need his signature on the Health Form?

Nature Camps is a unique camp in many ways. One of campers' favorite things about NC is that the children choose the activities in which they will participate.

Thus, it is important for children to be a part of the application process, giving parents the opportunity to explain to them that they are signing that at NC they will abide by counselor's recommendations. In other words, if a counselor suggests that a child may or may not participate in a certain activity (whether due to restrictions listed on the child's Health Form, a parent's request, or for some other reason a certain activity is not recommended), that the child understands he/she must listen to the counselor. Most children are excited about this unique aspect of registering at NC, and feel empowered by 'signing' their name.

We do not expect the child's signature to look good! Younger children may just write their initials, or first name, or even an 'x.' We are just looking to see if the parents have read this sentence to the child.

Note that your Health Form will be returned to you for your child's signature, and your registration is not complete until the completed Health Form is in the NC office.

Why must I list all of my child's immunizations every year?

Because Nature Camps follows all COMAR (Annotated Code of Maryland) regulations, and COMAR requires that the actual dates of immunization be in your child's health file while your child is at camp. COMAR does not accept such statements as "up to date" or "per public school requirements."

Therefore, your Health Form will be returned to you for these dates, and your registration is not complete until the entire Health Form is in the NC office. One suggestion is to keep a photocopy of this year's Health Form, and when you register next summer, you have all the dates which you may copy on to next year's Health Form! Due to HIPAA regulations, Health Forms are destroyed after camp, and cannot be saved from year to year.

I registered (by mail or fax or online) several weeks ago, and have not received any confirmation.

You will receive confirmation only after we have the following three items in the NC office: 1) Registration Form, 2) Complete Health Form (with all signatures and immunization dates), and 3) your deposit of $250 or more.

Can I register my 3-1/2 year old for Camp Wonder? She's very mature for 3-1/2.

The Camp Wonder program is awesome for four year olds. However, our thirty-plus years of experience has proven that younger-than-fours are too young for Camp Wonder. 
 
Nature Camps is a Family Based Program. You and your younger children are always welcome to visit NC any time! When you bring the older children, you can hang out for a while in the cool, beautiful woods. You can even join in Big Circle. After Big Circle, when the campers disperse for their various activities, you and your little one can stay a while, swing on the swings, check out the sand box, walk up a trail, visit the stream, etc. This helps give her a small 'taste' of what her siblings are experiencing, while giving you both some fun, peaceful outdoors time. And, when you come to pick your children up in the afternoons, you and your daughter are welcome to take an afternoon swim in the pool, and/or hang out on the swings some more!
 
And, it gets even better! The Family Overnights are specifically designed to include the entire family, from little ones to grandparents. It's a wonderful opportunity to have some of the experiences that NC campers have, while the campers-to-be are still under the protective wings of their parents. If you haven't already been there, check out http://www.naturecamps.com/programs/cfamily.html

And, while it seems eons away to your three-year-old, she can look forward to joining Camp Wonder next summer! 

Is my teenager ready for TA? I'm not sure how he will do on the away trips.

You know your teen best. Most 13-year-olds are ready for the Nature Camps TA program. The TA program is designed as a four week program specifically to ease teens into the more challenging and rigorous activities of TA.
 
The first week is a bonding week, where teens act as CIT's (counselors in training), blending in with the campers in NC's Mixed Age Learning approach. The TA's have some of their own special experiences that week, choosing a service project they will perform, taking an overnight hike to nearby Bunker Hill, and planning for the weeks ahead.
 
The second week is a challenging week working at a local farm in a family farm experience. Here the teens experience their first away trip, learning to prepare their own meals as an extended family, work together in group problem solving situations, and learn to make the best of one another's strengths. During this week, the teens also travel to Baltimore for a night of Contra and Folk Dancing -- a fun, bonding, wholesome evening.
 
During the third week, teens hike the Appalachian Trail. This is a significantly more strenuous hike, where teens are again relying on one another to set their goals, work toward those goals, reach their goals, and to ultimately rejoice in having achieved those goals. This trip culminates is a terrific white water rafting experience, where, again, teamwork is the word. 
 
The fourth week of TA occurs back at Nature Camps, where teens continue to work on their service project, join in the Family Overnight, solidify all they have learned about working toward goals, and practicing team work, and group problem solving. This week also has the teens enjoying a day on the water -- kayaking and catamaran sailing -- again celebrating their teen-ness.
 
It is this building upon the prior experiences and learnings that makes Teen Adventure such an ideal situation for teens, each day building upon the day before.

My 12-year-old is very mature, and I think she will enjoy the TA program.

The TA program is specifically designed for teens, 13-16. While not all 13-year-olds are the same, our many years of experience has proven that almost-13 year olds do not benefit as much from the TA program, often struggle to become a part of the group, and sometimes make the program more difficult for the other TA's. We have learned that a 12-year-old's needs, emotions, and abilities are much better met in the role of the 'older' camper at NC Day Camp.
 
Nature Camps' Mixed Age Learning (see http://www.naturecamps.com/senseWonder/mixedAge.html) approach helps children of all ages benefit from a family-style grouping. Older children help to guide younger children and share the myriad things they have experienced in their 11-12 years of life, while the younger children help inspire the older children with that 'Sense of Wonder' that sometimes dulls a bit in the pre-teen years.

I would like to choose my child's weeks a la carte -- a week here and a week there. Must I choose your session dates, or can I pick my own?

After thirty-plus years of experience, Nature Camps has concluded that the optimal program for children 4-12 is a two-week program, progressing each day to new and more challenging activities.
 
Our program is designed so that each day builds upon the day before. Therefore, a child starting half-way through a session will be missing those important beginning camp days. This applies to many areas of your child's camp experience: making their own personal Nature Journal, taking the initial swim skills assessment, getting to know fellow campers, learning to identify poison ivy, how to perform a thorough tick check, becoming familiar with safety and nature-friendly guidelines, learning how our groups operate, and how to choose activities on a daily basis, beginning with a half-day, and building to whole day activity choices.
 
It is this building upon the prior experiences and learnings that makes Nature Camps unique. While we understand the desire to mold your child's schedule around vacations and other summer obligations, we request that you enroll your child for a full two-week session.
 
This same principle applies to the four-week Teen Adventure Program. Again, each day builds upon the day before, and the teen benefits most from the four consecutive weeks of the TA program -- in the sequence we have designed.

Our Mission:

"Nature Camps is an Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Education organization that is committed to the use of experiential education programs to promote individual growth, and sensory awareness for both children and parents. NC is a family based program."

 

What is your Federal Tax ID Number:

The Federal Tax ID # is 52-1774592.

 

 

 
 

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