Outdoor Summer Camps

OUTDOOR SUMMER CAMPS: WHERE NATURE & FUN COLLIDE

Soon enough, the grueling winter months will be coming to an end and summer will be here. The sun will peek its head out over the tops of distant mountains, wildfl owers will bloom, and magpies will sing their song once again. Summertime in Montana is the perfect time for all to get outdoors and connect with nature. According to the Outdoor Industry Association’s National Recreation Economy Report, we do a pretty good job at this, better than almost any other state. In the report, Montana tied with Alaska for the highest percentage of our population participating in outdoor recreation activities, coming in at 81%.

Summer is the perfect time for your child to get outside and take advantage of the abundance of outdoor recreational activities the treasure state holds. One way your child can do that this summer is by attending a camp where they can explore previously unknown hobbies, connect with nature, and make lifelong friends. Check out these outdoor camps to engage your child in the great outdoors this summer.

Montana Outdoor Science School (MOSS)

The word is in, and yes, MOSS will be hosting in-person summer camps this year! With a mission to “inspire a love for the outdoors Since 1994,” MOSS plans to do just that this year through their summer programming. All programs will run as day camps from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Each program offers a different natural science topic that kids learn about during outdoor-based activities including daily nature hikes and interactions with scientists from the community. Highly qualifi ed and enthusiastic instructors guide campers through their days. For students in elementary and middle school, MOSS has 46 different program options! Programs like Engineering in Nature, from June 14 - 18, lets kids analyze engineering and its relationship with nature while investigating natural systems and experimenting away! Other programs like Inside the Fire explore the aftermath of the 2020 Bridger Foothills wildfi re by hiking through the burnt environment and learning about the ecological impacts of wildfi res. Learn proper wildfi re safety protocols the week of June 28 - July 2. MOSS outlines their detailed procedures for how programming will be delivered this summer with COVID-19 considerations in mind. Campers will not move between groups like other years. Kids will stick with their assigned group the entire week of camp and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms every morning at check-in. Social distancing protocols will be in place, and two face masks will be required. The complete list of protocols, as well as registering for any program, can be found at http://www. outdoorscience.org. Registration is open now!

Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center

While Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center, based in Whitefi sh, has put their overnight camps on hold until COVID-19 conditions permit, they are still offering a slew of day camps this summer. For those ages 8-14, the Music and Nature day camps are being offered July 12 - 16. In this camp crescendo, campers will get to choose between three different sections: strings, percussion, and

ukulele & songwriting. Campers will get the opportunity to combine routines for nature connection with high level music instruction as they create their masterpiece for their peers to hear. All campers should provide their own instruments, with an exception for the percussion section, which will be provided by Ravenwood. In addition to the Music and Nature camp, Ravenwood is also offering the Wilderness Kids Club as a day camp that focuses on connecting to nature and developing children’s life skills. This camp will be offered in three separate sessions: eight days of camp between June 14 - July 6, 16 days of camp between June 16 - Aug. 12, and eight days of camp between July 19 – Aug. 10. Ravenwood’s website puts it best, stating, “Our expert mentors are here to support your child’s journey of discovery and awareness through the development of life skills (fire making/tending, basketry, wood working, animal and bird tracking, plant medicines and food, and group and individual communication skills).” The Music and Nature day camp is offered for kids ages 6-12. Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center is also adjusting their camp programming to meet COVID-19 health and safety protocols. All participants and staff will be required to wear a mask, social distancing will be in place (the camp will be completely outdoors), groups will be kept separate and have different pickup and drop-off times, and parents will be required to screen their children for COVID-19 symptoms every morning. The complete list of protocols, as well as registering for the programs being offered this summer can be found at https:// ravenwoodolc.org. Registration is open now!

Montana Conservation Corps Youth Crews

For the teenagers seeking a little more freedom in their summer camp, Montana Conservation Corps has you covered with its Expedition Program. The program is a fourweek volunteer service experience that is free of cost to apply for. You will spend a majority of your time outdoors, working through the day, exploring during the late afternoon, and camping at night in this character-building program. Work projects include fencing, trail work, wildlife, surveying, invasive weed removal, planting native plants, historic preservation, and campground maintenance all throughout Montana. Join the program and learn what it really means to be a steward of the environment.

Montana Conservation Corps doesn’t shy away from letting you know that this camp is challenging. Applicants must be comfortable with the physical demands such as heavy lifting, extended hiking while carrying weight, working at high altitudes, and working in all weather conditions. The work is tough, but with the right attitude and commitment, you will be set up for success. Montana Conservation Corps stresses that the most important attribute for success “is the desire and willingness to be outdoors for an extended period of time.” If you are ready to meet the challenge but have never camped outside before, don’t fret. Applicants will be trained on camping and packing skills during orientation and will learn a book full of camping skills. Applicants must provide their own gear, including a tent and sleeping pad, but all other accommodations will be taken care of by Montana Conservation Corps. Interested in signing up and participating in a life-changing experience full of meaningful work? Visit Montana Conservation Corps website for more information at https://www.mtcorps.org, or call 406-587-4475.

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Schedule an appointment today with Bozeman Health Pediatrics. Call 406-414-4900. Belgrade | 206 Alaska Frontage Rd Bozeman | 937 Highland Blvd. Suite 5320