SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS 2012

Summer camps at the Nature Center are fun, educational experiences for all campers. Experienced teachers draw upon the Nature Center staff naturalist and the natural history collection to present a program designed to involve children in the wonders of the natural world. The classroom provides a headquarters for crafts, lessons and shelter from summer heat and thunderstorms as the children engage in exploratory activities throughout the Nature Center.

Each camp session offers a unique theme using both plants and animals to create fun learning activities encompassing the arts, sciences and social studies.  As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we celebrate the continuous promotion of making proper ethical choices for our environment! We will be including a second camp this year for Pre-K children called Pee Wee Camps, which will include parent-child participants each week beginning June 11^th.

Camp Hours

    * Pee Wee Camps: June 11 through August 3; Mon-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-12 noon (child-parent combination)
    * Wild Week Camps:  June 18 – August 3; Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (arrival time 8:15-8:30 a.m.)
    * AfterCare – 3:00-5:00 p.m. (additional fee, see below)

About Camp

Pee Wee Camps are for preschool and kindergarten children with a parent or guardian. All other camp sessions are for children only and designated by grade level.

Wild Week Camps offer AfterCare, 3:00-5:00 p.m., for children who need extended care at the 3:00pm close of camp each day. Campers are responsible for bringing closed-toed shoes, a lunch, water bottles and sunscreen. Snacks are provided daily and drinks are available at the vending machines outdoors. A refrigerator is on site to store drinks, lunches, and/or medications.

Grade Level & Class Size
Registration is based on the grade the child will be entering in the fall 2012 school year. Example: A rising first grader may register for any camp for grades 1-3. Unless otherwise noted, each class is limited to a maximum of 21 children to ensure individual attention and safety considerations.

Special Needs
The primary goal is safety for campers and staff, and a positive camp experience for all. Camp staff is happy to assist should a camper with a special need require full-time adult supervision. Parents are asked to discuss the need with the program director. Camp registration may be denied if the need is determined to be in excess to camp resources and capabilities.

Registration Fees
Fees include activities, snacks, all materials and a Wild Weeks t-shirt. Pee Wee camp participants receive a special Nature Center gift in lieu of a tee shirt.

Pee-Wee Camp (Weeks One-Eight)
 
Registration per child/parent:  $70.00 (Members)
Additional participant:  $25.00 (Members)
Registration per child/parent:  $75.00 (Non-Members)
Additional participant:  $25.00 (Non-Members)

Wild Week Camp (Weeks Two-Eight)
 
Registration:  $150.00/week (Members)
AfterCare:  $50.00/week (Members)
Registration:  $175.00/week (Non-Members)
AfterCare:  $50.00/week (Non-Members)

How to Register
Pre-registration is required with full payment to guarantee enrollment in the camp session of your choice. To register, you may visit the Nature Center on Thursday March 1 starting at 8:00am. March 1 is registration for Friends of the WNC Nature Center Members Only! Please MAKE SURE your membership is up to date – those without a current membership to the Friends of the WNC Nature Center will be required to first obtain a membership and then will be able to get in line for camp registration. Open registration will begin for non-members March 2, 2012. Call 828-298-5600, ext. 5, or go to www.wncnaturecenter.com  for more information.  No telephone registrations will be accepted. Payments will be deposited promptly upon receipt. NOTE: Those adults who come to the WNC Nature Center at 8:00am March 1 will have preferential acceptance over registration forms that had been mailed and received by our office prior.

DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM

Cancellation Policy
A fee of $25.00 will apply to all cancellations. Cancellations must be received at least three weeks prior to the camp session to receive a full refund (minus $25 cancellation fee). 50% of the registration fee will be withheld for cancellations made less than two weeks prior to the session (plus the cancellation fee). No refund for cancellations made three days or less prior to the session. Allow four to six weeks for refunds to be issued from the time of cancellation. We highly suggest making payment with a Credit Card as these refunds can be quickly processed.

CAMP DESCRIPTIONS

Pee Wee Camps

All Weeks:  The Animal Kingdom (5 Day Camp Sessions)
June 11 through August 3 (Parents with Pre-K and/or K children only)
We offer eight weeks of Pee-Wee Camps this year! Participants will be introduced to a special animal topic which will include stories, crafts, games, songs, snacks, with some live animal encounters that tie in with our theme. This camp runs from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, Monday – Friday.  Focal topic will remain the same each week with slight variations to content and activities. Cost is only $75.00 for one child and one adult combination (membership discounts). Additional siblings or adults are $25.00 each.  

Wild Week Camps

Week Two: Rhythms of the Earth
June 18-22 (Grades 1-3)
Everything we do on our planet is connected.  This week we will get our hands covered in earth, make friends with red wigglers, grow our own seeds, learn the patterns of local wildlife, and find our own rhythm that connects us to our earth.  Our camp focuses on these cycles. Among other things, campers will make worm compost bins, terrariums, and recycled art masterpieces.  Every child will leave this week excited about how to be an active part in the environmental circle. They will also have the tools and projects to continue this study in their own backyards!  The rhythms we create will last all summer long.

Week Three: ATBI (All Taxa Biodiversity Index) Camp
June 25-29 (Grades 4 through 9)
Join visiting state scientists for a documentation effort of our Appalachian flora and fauna called the All Taxa Biodiversity Index (ATBI) along the Trillium Trail and Swannanoa River at the WNC Nature Center. Participants will research multiple forms of living organisms found on our property which are then registered into the ATBI database. Prepare to get wet, dirty and challenged!  All activities are based on scientific collection modules and will involve digging, seining, netting and identifying species of mollusks, fungi, mammals, birds, fish, flowers and ferns. With any scientific research, we may find a new species not yet documented!

Week Four: Reptiles and Amphibians: Fact or Fiction
July 2-6 (Grades 1-3)
Direct observations of snakes, lizards, turtles, toads, frogs, and salamanders will lead to a study of their life cycles and life styles.  Coloration, patterns, and shapes will be explored through many crafts and activities.

Week Five: Wild Encounters
July 9-13 (Grades 1-3)
Discovering some of the worlds most fascinating wildlife, you will have a chance to see living specimens of all sort, from crawling creatures to ones that fly gracefully through the air! Outdoor activities, games, and crafts all play a vital role in understanding how animals live and breathe on this Blue Planet of ours.

Week Six: Forest of Lilliput
July 16-20 (Grades 1-3)
The "Forest of Lilliput" is the discovery of the Appalachian forest; its canopy, the waters and its subterranean inhabitants. An exploration into colors, shapes, and populations of small organisms (insects, plants, fungi and more) will include the use of scientific methodology, games, and crafts to reveal some of natures secretes of survival. Treks onto the Trillium Trail will require campers to be prepared daily with light backpacks, hiking shoes, and lots of water! 

Week Seven: Appalachian Explorers
July 23-27 (Grades 1-3)
Get psyched for a “funtastic” week of hands-on exploration as we examine the world of our animal neighbors through crafts, games, stories, cooking, hiking, and exclusive close-up animal encounters...Turtles, Birds, and Snakes-Oh My!  You won’t want to miss out on all the excitement!

Week Eight: Reptiles and Amphibians: Fact or Fiction
July 30 - August 3 (Grades 3-5)
Direct observations of snakes, lizards, turtles, toads, frogs, and salamanders will lead to a study of their life cycles and life styles.  Coloration, patterns, and shapes will be explored through many crafts and activities.