Director's Message

I include words from March's Newsletter. As the New Year begins I wish to celebrate and honor the enduring work of so many remarkable outdoor educators, remarkable parents, and their precious children.

In reflecting upon the enduring strengths of Nature Camps' counselors, as well as children, over these past thirty-six summers, I am reminded of a passage from George Fox (early Quaker) when he wrote:

Our labor is to bring all men to their own teacher in themselves.

In being with children in nature, we withhold judgment. We accept the uniqueness of individuals and their very real presence in exploring, creating and discovering. We enjoy, without interpreting, the beauty of the child's process, the beauty of the child's uniqueness, the beauty of their sense of wonder. This is what makes the NC experience profound.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Co-Director's Message

The beginning of a new year invites us to reflect on the past and anticipate the future. The weeks I spend at Nature Camps are always a high point of my year. From staff training through the joyful weeks with campers, camp summers are times of growth and laughter. I love the rhythm of the days. Mornings, the counselors enthusiastically greet their campers, and in the afternoons, the campers greet their parents with similar excitement, wanting to share with mom or dad tales of the toad they found or the hike they took. I look forward to watching children spend unhurried time in the woods, enjoying and appreciating nature. The short days of January will soon enough give way to the sunny days of June -- and summer 2011 at Nature Camps.

Patty Barry

Administrator's Message

My contact with parents and staff is pretty much limited to their paperwork. However, through the haze of such paperwork, warm feelings always come through -- warm feelings toward one another, as individuals, and regarding this beautiful planet we share as our home. The grateful note that a parent encloses with the health form, the diligence in which staff members complete and document their numerous certifications, the personal notes in emails when a parent asks about their bill, then states what a wonderful time their child is having. All of these moments continually confirm my belief in the meaningful and profound business for which I work -- Nature Camps.

I wish a very Happy New Year to all of our Nature Camps family!

Sally Fisher

Teen Adventure Winter Gathering and Potluck

On Saturday, February 19, from 3-11 pm, Teen Adventure Explorers and parents are invited to an afternoon and evening at Don's home along Deer Creek in northern Harford County.

Activities will include being an investigative historian on an exploratory Mystery Tour, playing games, feasting on a potluck dinner, music and singing, night hike along Deer Creek, and listening to stories.

Bring a vegetarian potluck dinner or dessert to share, musical instruments, and a favorite story book to share after dinner. Enjoy a home lit with lanterns and candles as it was in 1803.

Current Teen Adventure Explorers, and especially new TAEs for 2011 are invited for a delightful afternoon and evening. Parents are most welcome.

Address: 1616 Eden Mill Road, Pylesville Maryland, 21132.

Parking Guidelines: Vehicles may park in Don's driveway and in front of his garage. All other cars must park in Eden Mill Nature Center's lower parking lot AWAY from EMNC's pavilion. The entrance to the parking lot is clearly marked just prior to turning onto Eden Mill Road.

Call 410-343-0223 if you have any questions.

Little Camp

Read about a little known session called 'Little Camp' in Rachael Tanner's story of a special time at Nature Camps.

Rachael has been at Nature Camps for 19 years, and is currently working as a Social Worker in Baltimore.

Mark Your Calendar Come meet us!

Nature Camps will be at the Baltimore's Child Camps and Summer Programs Fair from 12-3 p.m. on March 6, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2004 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, MD.

Come meet our director and several staff members, ask questions, and get answers!

All are invited to attend. See you there!

Look for the new brochure in your mailbox sometime this month!

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 2011 Summer Season!

We offer the Camper Program for children ages 5-12. In a mixed-age learning environment, children choose their own activities -- Adventure Ropes Course, swimming, horseback riding, canoeing, nature crafts, carving & whittling, hiking, Nature Journaling, stream exploring, singing, bicycling, new games, Family Overnights and Concerts, etc.

Teen Adventure is for teens 13-16, and offers a four week program of hiking, biking, white water rafting, community service learning, and more! Two weeks are spent at Nature Camps, and two five-day away trips take teens to a local farm and to the Appalachian Trail.

Camp Wonder, for 4-year olds, is a program designed to be a miniature version of our camper program -- at the relaxed pace of a four-year-old!

Camp Little Feet is for toddlers, aged 2-1/2 to 4, and provides a unique opportunity for the parent and child to explore nature as only toddlers can do -- one wonder at a time.

So, whatever the age of your child, and whatever your summertime schedule brings, Nature Camps has a program just for you!

Register now online.

2011 Calendar

Schedule

Nature Camps Videos

Watch the fun!