Director's Message: It is only a little planet, yet how beautiful it is

We need meaningful environmental education. Environmental education should help people of all ages build a sense of relationship in both feelings and understandings with the natural world. The senses that foster this are: a sense of wonder, a sense of place, a sense of touch, a sense of life, a sense of beauty, a sense of respect, and a sense of joy. And we need to get everyone out into the environment doing close fieldwork, using all these senses.


The planet you're standing on
looking out at the stars
Is the earth, the third planet from the sun
and the mildest
and softest
of the nine.
If you can stop, and let yourself look,
let your eyes do
what they do best,
stop
and let yourself see and see
that everything is doing things
to you
as you do things to everything.
Then you know
that although it is only a little planet
it is hugely beautiful
and surely the finest place in the world
to be.
So watch it, look at it
see what it's like
to walk around on it.
It's small but it's beautiful
it's small but it's fine
like a rainbow,
like a bubble.

Only a little planet by Lawrence Collins, Friends of the Earth, NY

With Nature Camps' thirty-sixth summer approaching, children and families will continue to marvel at these wonders of nature. These remarkable 240 acres of Conservancy woodlands will now also have Towson University biology students and faculty doing exciting research in the woods and streams. Look for property owner Al Henneman's message next month, describing wonderful physical changes, and rich expanded learning opportunities under his gentle care.

We invite you to be Ambassadors of Nature Camps

Do you want your child to be the Last Child in the Woods?* If not, consider being an ambassador of Nature Camps. Spread the word about why you think NC should be an essential part of every child's summer. You know a good thing when you see it. Take a moment to share it with others!

* Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, Richard Louv, 2008.

Welcome to Nature Camps' New Staff Members!

Nature Camps welcomes several new staff members in 2010. Find out about Eliza Oldach, Esmail Hamidi, Brittany Graham, Lara Bock, Andrew McGowan, and Andrew Smith. Check the staff page for more additions this spring. We look forward to an exciting summer with our 'veteran' and new staff!

Family, Counselors & Friends Workdays

Weekend of May 8 & 9
(And week days and evenings May 10 -14)

Come join the many hands needed to get Nature Camps set up! Projects for all family members.

Brings rakes, energy, lunch, and supper. As each year, it will be a wonderful family time together in May!

2010 Calendar

Schedule

Nature Camps Videos

Watch the fun!

Open House


Join us for our 36th Open House on Sunday, May 23 from 1 - 4.

Returning families, come for an afternoon of reconnecting with the staff, enjoying the woods, and welcoming new families.

New families, you'll have the chance to meet Don, other staff, and veteran NC parents. You can also tour the grounds, ask questions, swing on the tall swings, and visit NC's unique Adventure Challenge Ropes Courses. NC water bottles and Camper T-Shirts will be available for purchase.

Directions

Beat the Rush! Register Now!

Are you tired of the annual rush to set your child's summer schedule? Beat the rush! Nature Camps is currently accepting registrations for the 2010 Summer Season!

Sessions are filling up quickly -- especially Teen Adventure!

Register now online!

Family Overnights and Concert Evenings

Our 2010 Family Overnights are July 1, 15, 29, and Wed., Aug. 11. Children stay that whole day at camp and parents arrive when convenient. Supper is 6-ish at the large campsite behind the cabins. Ideally, we all sleep under the beautiful stars at the campsite. Tents are welcome and cabins are available in inclement weather.

All are most welcome for the whole evening and the next morning, or just for the evening family adventures: swimming (lighted pool), family games, Concert, Adventure Challenge Course, crafts, night walks, campfire, and singing. In the early morning there are blueberry pancakes, eggs, potatoes and orange juice. Camp coffee and cocoa are ready by 7:00 am with breakfast soon following - outside, hopefully using the evening's campfire coals to light the breakfast fires.
All are welcome to stay all day on Friday, and share in your child's activities.