Director's Message

Nature Camps' second Open House was the largest we have ever had! Thirteen Counselors were on hand to welcome an endless stream of remarkable children and their parents.

Everyone delighted climbing on and through the updated Lower Ropes Course, on the many never-ending high swings and porch swings, on hikes down to the Gunpowder River, and in front of the Lodge as children created beautiful plant designs on 5 x 7 pieces of muslin ("flower pounding").

The following is a letter I shared with everyone following our time together in the woods:

I know I said thanks to you about coming to the Open House today. I truly meant it. Yet, I want to sincerely let each of you know what an impact you had upon children and their parents today.

Throughout the afternoon, so many expressed how appreciative and impressed they were by your demeanor, "real" presence, gentleness, and engagement with their children and them as adults.

A wonderful jolly time was had by all!

Thank each of you for sharing part of your weekend (a huge gift), helping getting ready for the Open House and doing what you do best -- being yourself and simply being delightful!!

Oh, what a summer it will be! Stunning Counselors and Interns. We rock.

We did what Georgia O'Keefe expressed (the poem on the little yellow card today and what was posted on the NC face book pages):

Take a Flower in Your Hand

When you take a flower
in your hand and really look at it,
it's your world for the moment.
I want to give that world
to someone else-

-- Georgia O'Keefe

That remarkable world of Nature Camps, Inc. was beautifully shown to all, thanks to you.

2011 NC Staff Development and Certification

This summer's counselors are another remarkable blend of experienced young women and men. They are about to gather together for seven days and five nights of intense staff development and work projects. The delightful fellowship and learning that comes form this time is eagerly anticipated by all.

The quality of each counselor continues to distinguish Nature Camps as one of the many quality experiential, adventure-based, and sensory awareness driven environmental education programs.

In addition to bringing outdoor education knowledge and skills, NC counselors bring forth a deep respect for the inestimable worth of everyone.

From the perspective of children and their parents, Nature Camps counselors feel and impart awe, humility, and hope. That feeling continues to be my wish for families each summertime at Nature Camps.

Welcome to a summertime place of seemingly endless summer days. A place where children, parents, and staff will explore 228 acres of nature conservancy woodlands, fields, and streams -- finding pleasure in each other's company. We will all soon gather together for those remarkable Thursday Family Overnight/Concert late afternoon through breakfast experiences. Parents are most welcome to stay (as they always are) all day on the following Friday.

Due Date

Health forms and final payments are now due. Some health forms are still outstanding. You will not receive your confirmation letter and vehicle id tags if we do not have your complete health form in the office. Download your health form. Health forms may be faxed to 410-343-0236, snail mailed to PO Box 240, Monkton, MD 21111-0240, or attached to an email to naturecamps@msn.com.

Van Reminders

The Van is almost full in all sessions. If you have not worked out carpooling, and think you need the van, contact us immediately at naturecamps@msn.com Note that there may be a waiting list. The Van driver will call the week before each session to give you the van's cell phone number, and get your contact information. The Van pick up time is 7:45 - 8:00 AM, next to the bank at Greenspring Station (behind the snowball stand). The afternoon drop off time is 5:00 - 5:15 PM.

There are Still Openings in All Sessions

There are still some openings in all sessions, except TA A & C.

Be sure to register asap, as spaces are filling up quickly! Sign up now!

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.

 

Nature Camps Hosts Wilderness First Aid Certification Course

On June 4 & 5, 20 people will gather at Nature Camps to become certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA), taught by SOLO.

Staff and others will take part in a 16 hours long (two days) course that focuses on the basic skills of: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies, Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies.

There are still a few openings if you are interested in taking this course with us. Email naturecamps@msn.com for more information.

Please place this before the calendar, and please be sure to include the link to SOLO.

2011 Calendar

Schedule

Nature Camps Videos

Watch the fun!