SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS 2014 (TBA)
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.
DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM
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 17th.
Camp Hours
-
Pee Wee Camps: June 17-21, July 1-5, & July 29-Aug 2; Mon-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-12 noon (child-parent combination)
-
Wild Week Camps: June 17 – August 9; 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 (Wild Weeks) are for children only and designated by entering grade level for the 2013-2014 school year.
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 2013 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 unable to provide one-on-one supervision for a special needs situation, but we would be happy to assist the family in making those arrangements with a care facilitator of your choice. Parents are asked to discuss this need with the program director prior to registration. 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 (June 17 – 21, July 1 -5, and/or July 29 – Aug 2)
Wild Week Camp (Weeks One - Eight)
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 Friday 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 adults who come to the WNC Nature Center March 1 (first day of camp registration) will have preferential treatment to registration over any registration forms that had been mailed and received by our office. If you are a member and unable to attend the March 1 registration, you may elect another person to register for you as long as they have your current membership card, the completed camp registration form, and full payment. 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, 2013. Call 828-259-8082, or go to www.wncnaturecenter.com for more information. No telephone registrations will be accepted. Payments will be deposited promptly upon registration.
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.
Programs
All program activities posted in the course descriptions (below) are subject to change during the course of the week due to weather conditions, timing, or other factors. We will try to accommodate every activity listed in the descriptions, but may need to alter some at the discretion of the camp director and the camp facilitator.
WNC Nature Center Pee Wee & Wild Weeks Summer Camps
June 17 – 21 Pee Wee Camp Lesley Walden Color Me Beautiful
June 17 – 21 Grades 1-3 TBA Beastly Behavior
June 24 – 28 Grades 4-9 Kevin Fitzpatrick ATBI
July 1 – 5 Grades 1-3 Wende Fonvielle Tales of the Wild
July 1 – 5 Pee Wee Camp Lesley Walden Color Me Beautiful
July 8 – 12 Grades 1-3 Wende Fonvielle Forest Adventures
July 15 – 19 Grades 1-3 Carlton Burke Budding Naturalist
July 22 – 26 Grades 1-3 Jeff Menzer Reptiles & Amphibians:101
July 29 – Aug 2 Grades 1-3 Virginia D’Orazio Nature in Spanish
July 29 – Aug 2 Pee Wee Camp Lesley Walden Color Me Beautiful
August 5 – 9 Grades 4-6 Carlton Burke Reptiles and Amphibians:201
Pee Wee Summer Camps
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 12:00noon
“Color Me Beautiful”(for Pre-K children and a parent)
Week #1 - June 17 – 21
Week #2 - July 1 -5
Week #3 - July 29 – Aug 2
Welcome campers! Each morning we will host a new animal group to discover with activities, outdoor adventures, crafts, snacks, games, and storytelling. Let’s not forget to meet some of our animals with a close encounter! Topics include predators, reptiles, amphibians, farm animals, and birds. This is a marvelous introduction to the camp atmosphere for Pre-K children.
Instructor: Lesley Walden
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 12:00noon“Color Me Beautiful”(for Pre-K children and a parent)Week #1 - June 17 – 21Week #2 - July 1 -5 Week #3 - July 29 – Aug 2Welcome campers! Each morning we will host a new animal group to discover with activities, outdoor adventures, crafts, snacks, games, and storytelling. Let’s not forget to meet some of our animals with a close encounter! Topics include predators, reptiles, amphibians, farm animals, and birds. This is a marvelous introduction to the camp atmosphere for Pre-K children. Instructor: Lesley Walden
Wild Week Summer Camps
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 3:00pm
Week #1 - Beastly Behavior (Grades 1 – 3)
June 17 – 21
Animals can do the zaniest things and our campers get to study the world of behavior as they become Citizen Scientists, observing how our animals react to environmental conditions. Campers will make animal enrichments items, test theories of behavior, use scientific equipment, and participate in experiments designed to stimulate a sense of wonder through science. Crafts, creative activities, nature hikes, and games will help us view the natural world! STEM based learning.
Instructor: TBA
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 3:00pm Week #1 - Beastly Behavior (Grades 1 – 3)June 17 – 21Animals can do the zaniest things and our campers get to study the world of behavior as they become Citizen Scientists, observing how our animals react to environmental conditions. Campers will make animal enrichments items, test theories of behavior, use scientific equipment, and participate in experiments designed to stimulate a sense of wonder through science. Crafts, creative activities, nature hikes, and games will help us view the natural world! STEM based learning.Instructor: TBA
Week #2 - All Taxa Biodiversity Index: ATBI (Grades 4 - 9)
June 24 – 28
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!
nstructor: Kevin Fitzpatrick
Week #3 - Tales of the Wild (Grades 1 – 3)
July 1 – 5
Remember the stories told to us by our parents and teachers when growing up? This week, our campers hear a multitude of great educational stories about nature, sharing, giving, and caring for others. Our stories will relate to our animal kingdom and our human culture using crafts, super hikes, animal encounters, and of course, the stories themselves. A great way to introduce children to their first camp experience!
Instructor: Wende Fonvielle
Week #4 - Forest Adventures (Grades 1 – 3)
July 8 – 12
The theme this week is on connecting plants and animals to their native habitats. Activities will include the arts, games, music, science and team challenges. Several problem-solving scenarios will enhance the campers experience as they make those wild connections between themselves and the world around them! Every day will see 2 hikes to a new animal destination somewhere in the park with interactive games planned to encourage team building and understanding our natural environment.
Instructor: Wende Fonvielle
Week #5 - Budding Naturalists ( Grades 1 - 3)
July 15 - 19
In this week's camp we will explore the wide world of nature through fun activities designed to help young budding nature enthusiasts build a life-long appreciation and respect for the natural wonders around us. Creative games, fun crafts, and numerous outdoor experiences will enlighten camper’s ability to see beyond the sight of something, bringing home an understanding as to why nature exists and how its inhabitants survive!
Instructor: Carlton Burke
Week #6 - Reptiles and Amphibians: 101 (Grades 1 – 3)
July 22-26
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.
Instructor: Jeff Menzer
Week #7 - Spanish for Beginners: Wilderness Life Cycles (Grades 1 – 3)
July 29 – Aug 2
Want something new for your child? How about a nature camp that shares the love of learning Spanish while learning about animals? This is a beginner’s educational experience for kids to learn some basic communication skills in Spanish. With more crafts, discovery hikes, nature trail explorations, animal encounters, and indoor story telling, each camper will see, hear, and learn to share nature with a whole new train of thought and processing. No Spanish experience necessary.
Instructor: Virginia D’Orazio
Week #8 - Reptiles and Amphibians: 201 (Grades 4 - 6)
August 5 - 9
Leapin' lizards, slithering snakes, and much more! Join us for a fun week as we learn more about this incredible group of animals through various games, crafts, and live animal visits by a variety of reptile and amphibian guests from the Nature Center's collection.
Instructor: Carlton Burke
WNC Nature Center’s
Summer Camp 2013 Registration Form
(one camper per registration form, please)
Bring or send registration and full payment to the WNC Nature Center, c/o Wild Weeks, 75 Gashes Creek Rd., Asheville, NC, 28805.
For information, contact the Nature Center at (828) 259-8082.