Director's Message:
 
Another Kind of Peace

When we contemplate the beauty of the earth we find reserves of strength and peace that will endure forever. The endless woods, the meandering streams - with all their interesting sounds, and delightful places to explore - bring forth an enchanted peaceful place for everyone at Nature Camp. Outdoor under blue skies or singing in the rain, everyone soaks up the beauty of nature, and of one another. We continue to wish for each person an enduring sense of wonder, and a lifelong instinct for the beauty and magic that is all about us in the natural world - bringing forth refreshing peacefulness.
Winnie-the-Pooh describes the peaceful feeling this way: Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.

NC continues to be such a gentle, peaceful place, where children and adults delight in mutual learnings and knowings - whether during the day, or on our Family Overnights & Concerts.

Tomorrow is Forever
 
As a child, I vividly remember that each day of the summer seemed endless. The richness of the things we did as children were so much fun and exciting. My parents and relatives allowed us to explore and discover nature, ride our bikes, and play games. In so doing we were discovering ourselves. It seemed like tomorrow was forever. 
 
With these fond memories, I proudly present the Nature Camps 2008 Staff; the people who will bring forth that special feeling of richness, that indeed, tomorrow is forever.

Nature Camps Not Affected by Transfer of Property

As you may know, Gunpowder Youth Camps decided to sell the land on which Nature Camps is located. The property was recently purchased by Al Henneman, who owned and operated the Worthington Valley Swim Club for twenty-five years, developing it into an outstanding facility.
 
Nature Camps is not affected by the transfer of ownership of the property from Gunpowder Youth Camps to Al. We look forward to a similar long and strong relationship with Al and the Henneman family. Gunpowder Youth Camps was pleased that Al secured the property, as he is passionate about the environment and quality outdoor programs.
 
For thirty-four years, NC has always been on the cutting edge in the Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Education field. We have enjoyed interacting with thousands of families statewide, nationally, and internationally, sharing the woods, fields, streams, rivers, and lakes with children and their parents in a real and most personal way.  
 
 
34th Annual NC Open House a Great Success!
 
About 50 poncho-clad moms, dads, grandparents, and children enjoyed an afternoon in the woods, along with most of our staff. Many tried out new rope swings, splashed down to the ropes course, explored the spring-fresh grounds of Nature Camps, drawing and naming the 'Plant of the Day,' and took home sturdy oak seedlings. 
 
The families who attended were reminded that Nature Camps never has a 'rain-out!' All had fun celebrating the refreshing spring rains, learning how sheltering the tall canopy of trees can be, seeing that a nice warm fire feels wonderful in the rain (thank you, Renee!), and that the sunshine is even more beautiful soon after the rain.
 
The following are some statements overheard at this year's Open House:

• "Wow, this is what summer is supposed to be about!"
• Your counselors seem like such wonderful people. Look at how she's playing with my son."
• "This is the kind of camp I always wished I could find for my child."
• "Dad, I did the ropes course all by myself!"
• "My child is having so much fun she doesn't want to go home."
• "We almost didn't come because it was raining. But this is perfect to see how they like Nature Camps -- even in the rain!"
• "Mom, why can't I come here all summer?"
• "It is so great that kids can choose the activities they are interested in."
• "This is what I loved about my childhood -- summer in the woods."
• "I think Jonah and Rebecca would like to come here, too."
• "The rain is perfect. My children are having such fun."

The number of returning families who came just so their children could hang out at camp for the afternoon, the advice and tips that veteran families were sharing with new  families, and the joy and excitement of the staff reconnecting were uplifting and wonderful harbingers of a terrific summer season in store for us this year!
 

Protecting Our Environment
 
The land that Nature Camps uses backs up to the Gunpowder River near Bluemount Road. It is the fifth best trout river in the United States. It has recently been learned that there is a habitat-attacking algae now present in the river. It destroys fish food supply and habitat for native plants and insects. Please see www.baltimoresun.com/didymo for details.
 
NC staff and campers will follow these new guidelines when appropriate. Please pass along this information to fellow environmentalist friends. Thanks.
 

Focus on the 2008 Nature Camps Staff
 
At Nature Camps, our staff is one of our greatest strengths. All staff have completed a Criminal Background Check (as required by the state of Maryland). Unique to Nature Camps, each staff member is a certified life guard, certified in Wilderness First Aid, certified in CPR, ACA Canoeing trained, and certified in Adventure Challenge Ropes Course Facilitation.
 
Our staff undergoes a rigorous eight-day, six-night Training, Certification, and Orientation. This time is an intense period of learning, bonding, celebrating, certification, practicing, playing, and growing.
 
At Nature Camps, we pride ourselves on growing our own counselors. Many of our staff have been at Nature Camps since childhood, growing and learning in the Nature Camps ways of acceptance and believing in the inestimable worth of each and every child.
 
Take a moment to get to know the wonderful people who will lead your children in their summer adventures at http://www.naturecamps.com/staff/sta2008.html
 

Carpool List

The carpool list will be mailed out within the next week. We wait until the last possible moment because of last minute registrations -- therefore providing you with more carpooling choices.
 
Nature Camps encourages carpooling whenever possible. Please send an email to naturecamps@msn.com when your carpooling arrangements are complete.
 
Look for the Carpool List in your mailbox soon!

 
There are still openings in several sessions of Nature Camps!

Register now, as space is filling up quickly! I invite everyone to be Nature Camps Ambassadors, and keep spreading the word about your belief in the essentialness of such nature experiences for children and their parents.
At this time, we CAN still accept registrations for the following:

• Camper Sessions: 1, 2, 3, and 4
• Camp Wonder: Sessions 2, 3, and 4
• Teen Adventure: Sessions 1 and 3
• Riding Instruction: Sessions 1, 2, and 4
  
• Van Service: Sessions 1, 2,  and 3
• Extended Day Program: Sessions 1, 2, 3, and 4

Keep in mind that your child's registration is NOT complete until the completed Health Form  is in our office. This includes all signatures (including the child's signature), both parent's signatures (on pages 1 & 4), and the immunization dates. Note that you do not need a physician's signature, just the dates of immunizations. It's a good idea to make a photocopy of your child's health form, so that you don't need to re-locate the immunization dates again next summer.
 
If your child is already enrolled, and you still owe a balance, you can go to http://www.naturecamps.com/enrollment/addlPayment.html to pay by credit card.
 
Sessions are filling up quickly! Sign up soon!

For questions regarding registration, health forms, payments, confirmations, etc., please email naturecamps@msn.com
 
See you all soon!