The Environmental Resource Center invites you to
EcoCamps 2011
Discover, Learn, Grow
Summer with the ERC
Discover, Learn, Grow
It is hard to believe that 2011 will be our 9th summer camp season at the Environmental Resource Center! As you may know, EcoCamp has grown and changed over the years. We began as a day camp at Atkinson’s Park, and grew into an overnight camp in 2005 featuring a variety of workshops each day. In 2008 we evolved again, when we began hiring professional staff to deliver a genuine, place‐based, experiential education curriculum during the day, complementing our more traditional evening and nighttime camp activities.
As a result, we have developed a program treasured by campers and parents alike. Our participants acquire a language and love of place – we foster in them a passion for the natural world, and teach them the skills and knowledge they need to understand and protect it.
We hope your family will join us for an amazing summer. Whether you all take part in the Shooting Star Sleep Out, or your child makes her first foray into overnight camps in the safety and caring of our small‐group settings, or your littlest ones join us for Wild Notes at the Symphony, we know you will find yourself thrilled with the company of a community of people who love this place we call home—for a day, or for a lifetime.
All the best,
Lisa Huttinger Education Director
Family Day and Evening Programs
EcoCamp: Chasing Wild
Wild Lunch
Survival Skills in the Mountains Mon July 18—Fri July 22 $350*
Free nature activities and lunch with The Hunger Coalition in June and July
ERC at the Symphony
EcoCamp: Adventure Aquatic
Parent’s Night Out! Free! Aug 3, 4, and 16
Geology, Hydrology, and the Mysteries of Water Mon July 25—Fri July 29 $430* (includes rafting on Friday!)
EcoCamp: Night Stalkers Uncovering the Secrets of the Night Mon Aug 8—Fri Aug 12 $350* *Discounts and scholarships available
Nature Workshops Beavers Walks and River Romps! June and August
Scholarship Fundraiser! Back Alley Concert at The Wicked Spud Wednesday, June 29
Table of Contents
Overnight Adventures Rising 4th—7th Graders
Overnights for Rising 4th‐7th Grade
More camps, new topics, rafting!— in other worlds, a world of fun and learning for your child. Our program overviews are here; details on our facility, field groups, and other logistics are located further on. The last page has our registration form, including information on discounts (member discounts this year!) and scholarships. EcoCamp: Chasing Wild Survival Skills in the Mountains Mon July 18—Fri July 22 $350*
EcoCamp: Adventure Aquatic Geology, Hydrology, And Mysteries of Water Mon July 25—Fri July 29 $430*
To survive the mountains, you must know the mountains. During our week together, we will learn how to seek and build shelters, and navigate with a map and compass. We will also track animals, safely obtain water, explore various uses for native plants, and more!
This week, we will learn the relationship between geology and hydrology, study the anatomy of a river, and explore the water’s inhabitants. Our adventure will culminate with a half‐day rafting trip on the Salmon River with White Cloud Rafting. Great adventures await!
Discover, Learn, Grow
“We've done activities with the ERC before and I know that anything they do is completely organized well thought out and best of all: fun. I trust that my child will be cared for well, will be safe and will have fun.”
EcoCamp: Night Stalkers Uncovering the Secrets of the Night Mon Aug 8—Fri Aug 12 $350* Later to bed, later to rise, and time to prowl the nocturnal world! We’ll use our daylight hours to learn about animal adaptations to the dark, and to stake out locations we think animals may lurk at night. At night, we’ll experiment with our night vision, hearing, and more!
Overnights for Rising 4th‐7th Grade
“Thank you for offering these camps for our kids and enriching their lives and helping create lasting summer childhood memories.”
Family Overnight Program
As the spring goes on, we will continue to add more family programs, so be sure to check back! The Nature Workshops, and the Symphony require registration; Wild Lunch does not. The ERC's camps are not run like your typical camp — [their camp director] makes sure that all children are included in activities, that no one is left out‐ if someone is having a hard time, she's there for them. She actually *cares*‐ which is a rare thing. “My daughter did some things that she was initially afraid of, sleeping outside, for example. She came back raving about how cool it was to watch the stars as you fell asleep. As a parent, I see that as.... priceless!”
Discover, Learn, Grow
Wild Connections at the Symphony A Parent’s Night Out! Aug 3, 4, and 16 Free!
We will once again offer Wild Lunch, a series of nature education day camps, during The Hunger Coalition’s Summer Lunch Connections at Woodside Elementary. The program is open to ages 1‐18, but children under 10 need to be accompanied by a caretaker over 15. Learn more about the plants and animals that share our home—and get a nutritious and scrumptious lunch at the same time!
The ERC will bring Wild Connections to the Sun Valley Summer Symphony again this summer. We’ll create a fun and educational setting where your children can connect with nature, freeing you to connect with the concert! You’ll find us on the lawn at the Pavilion. Open to ages 5—13. Call Sun Valley Summer Symphony office at 208‐622‐5607 to register.
Family Day and Evening Programs
Wild Lunch with The Hunger Coalition Tuesdays and Thursdays June 14—Jul 7 Free!
Family Day and Evening Programs
Beaver Walks Thursdays June 30 and Aug 18*
River Romps Fridays, Aug 5 & 19 10 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
The beaver has been called the most intelligent animal, aside from humans, for the ways in which it alters its surroundings. During our evening, we will learn more about this amazing animal, and—with a little luck—see them in action! Get to know the largest rodent in North America! Members free; suggested donation $10 individuals/$25 family for non‐members. Registration requested; call 208.726.4333.
(Time and location to be determined closer to date)
Come explore the Big Wood River! Children and adults are invited to discover river ecology through hands‐on exploration and learn more about the many plants and animals which depend on this aquatic wonderland for survival. Members free; suggested donation $10 individuals/$25 family for non‐members. Registration requested; call 208.726.4333.
(Location to be determined closer to date)
Discover, Learn, Grow
Special Event! Back Alley Concert at The Wicked Spud Wednesday, June 29
We are honored to be a beneficiary of the famous Back Alley Concerts at The Wicked Spud in Hailey! This concert will raise money for our EcoCamp scholarship fund. In 2010, 50% of campers attended EcoCamp on scholarship. Join the party, buy a raffle ticket, have some fun—and send a child to camp!
Family Day and Evening Programs
“I want to go to EcoCamp because I like to hike and want to spend time with other kids. Also, if I don’t get to go to EcoCamp, I may have to spend the summer inside watching TV and I would rather hike.”
Overnight Programs Location
EcoCamps Location
Our multi‐day overnight programs take place at the Central Idaho 4‐H Camp, 17 miles north of Ketchum. The facility is nestled next to Prairie Creek and surrounded by mountains, forests, and abundant wildlife. Participants stay in cabins with counselors, share a bathhouse, and eat breakfast and dinner in the lodge. Our days are spent discovering the diversity and delight of nature with professional field instructors, and lunch is eaten in the field to take advantage of every moment of the day. Evenings we gather at the campfire circle for s’mores, and to celebrate the events of the day.
This was my child's first sleep away camp... What I liked best was that I didn't have to worry one iota about my child, even though it was her first time away ‐ I knew that she was in good hands.
Discover, Learn, Grow
We let our son pick one over night camp experience each summer... and he chose this one.
Program Philosophy
Our goal is to create meaningful, hands‐on experiences that draw on your child’s imagination and love of play to help them discover and learn about the natural world.
How We Do It...
Our programs—especially our overnight camps—are a bit different from a typical camp. At the end of a program, each camper will have a deeper understanding of this amazing valley, the roles of diversity and community, and of themselves. We achieve this by spending days in the field with experienced teachers who deliver a comprehensive ecology and natural history curriculum. Each day builds on the knowledge and discoveries made the day before, allowing participants to expand and apply newly‐gained expertise.
We also keep our group sizes small (8:1 student‐teacher ratio) so that we can create a sense of community among participants. We create field groups by age, and provide special capstone events for our rising 7th graders, who are enjoying their last year at EcoCamp. We value teamwork and collaboration and reflect this in everything from field activities to meals and chores.
Frequently Asked Questions
What discounts might I receive? We have a variety of discounts available for registrations paid in full. These include early registration, ERC member, and multiple family members/sessions discounts. See our registration form for details.
Is financial aid possible? Scholarship support is available for the three EcoCamps; however, every participant will pay a minimum of $50. Please send in the registration form with $50 and indicate that you would like to receive a scholarship application. If we can not offer you adequate financial support, we will refund the $50 in full. Discounts do not apply to scholarships.
What if I must cancel my registration? Cancellations are subject to a $50 processing fee up to six weeks before each program begins, a $250 fee if cancelled less than six weeks before the start date. We’re sorry, but we cannot offer refunds for cancellations within 7 days of the program.
How can we help another family enroll their child? If your family is able to help another during this difficult economic time, please consider a tax‐deductible donation to our scholarship fund, and connect one more child or family to nature!
What if my child has special needs? We can work with your family to properly support any dietary and health concerns your child may have. We have also worked in the past to include children at camp with learning differences. Please contact us for more information.
Discover, Learn, Grow
… that camper registration fees only cover 65% of the cost of camp? Thank you so much to our funders and partners that make it possible to bring you these programs by covering the rest of the costs!!! It takes a team to make it all happen!
Funders
The Deer Creek Fund In all honesty, and I'm one to typically have an abundance of constructive criticism, I can't think of anything that could have been better. Truly, it was a magnificent experi‐ ence for her and I thank River [Camp Director] and all of the counselors for that!
The Campfire Foundation, Inc.
The Stone Family
Thank You to Our Partners!
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