NATURE EXPLORERS SUMMER CAMP

2008

Come explore with us and make all kinds of wonderful natural discoveries!

Click here to download the 2008 Summer Camp brochure.

	Entering Pre-Kindergarten to Kindergarten Monday - Friday; 1pm to 4pm Bugs ‘n Butterflies Week July 7 to 11 Explore the wonders of insects with a fascinating week full of facts, fun, games, stories, and crafts.  Learn how butterflies migrate, watch dragonflies dance on the river, investigate where insects fit into the food web, and create a bug to take home! Budding Birders Week July 14 to 18 Discover the amazing world of birds.  Explore how we identify birds and learn how different birds use songs and unique behaviors to communicate.  This action-packed week is filled with bird games, crafts, stories, and hikes.
	Entering 1st & 2nd Grade                          Monday - Friday; 1pm to 4pm Reptiles & Amphibians Week July 21 to 25 Discover who makes their home in the wetlands of the Passaic River floodplain.  Learn how to find frogs, salamanders, snakes, and turtles while they do all they can to hide and escape.  Also learn their value to the environment. Junior Birders Week July 28 to August 1 Birds can move pretty fast.  Take a hike in our wetlands to learn how “birders” use bird calls and nest identification to learn more about our feathered friends.  Also learn how birds fly, why they migrate, and how they collect their food.
	Entering 3rd & 4th Grade                          Monday - Friday; 1pm to 5pm Junior Naturalist August 4 to 8 Campers will be involved in experiences that explore the habitats of the Passaic watershed.  They will learn about the animals and plants that live here as well as find out where the Passaic River starts and ends.  There will be one offsite field trip to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.  Junior Biologist August 11 to 15 Campers will learn about threatened and endangered species that make their home in New Jersey.  They will discover how biologists provide assistance to these species and complete a project that shows their new expertise.  There will be one offsite field trip to the Turtle Back Zoo.

Click here to see some of the children's impressions of past summer camps!

The Summer Nature Day Camp is a cooperative program between NJ Audubon Society and the Essex County Environmental Center.

Fees:

For children entering PK to 2nd grade:

• $130 per child per week.  Children may be signed up for one or two weeks in their age group. 
  Scholarships are available for families in need through the Bill Brach Scholarship Fund. Contact NJ Audubon Society for more information on eligibility - 973-226-6082 or email Laurie Sindlinger.

• $95 per child per week if you are a member of the NJ Audubon Society.  You must provide proof of membership.  Contact NJ Audubon Society at 973-226-6082 for information.

For children entering 3rd and 4th grade:

• $170 per child per week.  Children may be signed up for one or two weeks in their age group. 
  Scholarships are available for families in need through the Bill Brach Scholarship Fund. Contact NJ Audubon Society for more information on eligibility - 973-226-6082 or email Laurie Sindlinger.

• $135 per child per week if you are a member of the NJ Audubon Society.  You must provide proof of membership.  Contact NJ Audubon Society at 973-226-6082 for information.

Pre-registration and advance payment required for camp through the Essex County Environmental Center.  Call 973-228-8776 for more information and/or to register.  Please make checks payable to “Essex County Parks System”; cash, and money orders are also accepted. 

Length and Setting:

• All camps run Monday through Friday.  For children entering PK to 2nd grade, they begin at 1:00 and end at 4:00. 
  For children entering 3rd and 4th grade, they begin at 1:00 and end at 5:00.   
• Children will be required to be signed in and out at the ECEC front desk each day.
• The Essex County Environmental Center is a facility of the Essex County Parks System and is located in West Essex Park.  The grounds include approximately one mile of trails, a raised boardwalk, and a wooded wetland habitat with access to the Upper Passaic River. 
• Weather permitting, all children will be expected to explore the outdoors.  Upon registration each child will receive an information packet detailing what they can expect and how to prepare for camp.