2023 Summer Nature Camp at Irvine Nature Center

Summer Nature Camp at Irvine is THE place for kids who love being outdoors, are naturally inquisitive, learn best through hands-on experiences, and like to have fun! We have 211 acres of extensive woodlands, streams, meadows, and wetlands to explore and over 8 miles of trails to hike. In our daily excursions, we immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, textures, and smells of the natural world around us. Each weeklong camp session focuses on a unique, creative theme; activities in all sessions take place almost exclusively outdoors. We hope your child will join us for a truly enjoyable summer of learning about the diversity of habitats and the cool critters that dwell within the Maryland Piedmont through environmental games, nature crafts, animal encounters, mudmucking, stream searching, and more!

CAMP HIGHLIGHTS

• Weeklong day camps from June 19 – August 25, running:

> 9:00AM – 4:00PM for Discovery, Explorers & Adventure (ages 5-12)

> 9:00AM – 12:00PM for Saplings (3- 4 year olds)

> 9:30AM - 11:00AM for Buds (2-3 year olds & caregiver)

> NEW: campers can be dropped off beginning at 8:45AM Tuesday –Friday. On Mondays, arrival begins at 8:30AM for a Meet & Greet with counselors.

• Camps are designed by professional educators and experienced naturalists, with your child’s enjoyment and safety in mind.

• Every camp features daily outdoor exploration and plenty of animal encounters.

• Each camper receives a Summer Nature Camp T-shirt (except for Buds).

• Small group sizes (camper to staff ratio of 8:1) allow for individualized attention, hands-on learning, and a great bonding experience.

• Summer Nature Camp is a Maryland State-Certified Youth Camp.

• We strive to give you the greatest value a summer day camp can offer!

IRVINE MEMBERS SAVE!

Irvine depends on its members. Their contributions help cover the cost of programs, trail maintenance and animal care.

Pacesetter members receive 10% off Summer Nature Camp fees.

Memberships above the Pacesetter level receive 20% off.

OUR STAFF

Camp sessions will be led by a mix of year-round educators and seasonal camp counselors. These energetic leaders provide a safe, fun, and educational outdoor experience for campers of all ages. All counselors are First Aid and CPR certified, required to pass a background check, and receive training in Early Childhood Education, Maryland Natural History, and more. They inspire kids to explore, respect, and protect nature.

COVID-19 SAFETY INFORMATION

At Irvine, the health and safety of our community is always our highest priority. As the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly changing, we cannot be sure what regulations will be in place when summer rolls around. Regardless, we will abide by the Maryland Department of Health Youth Camp Directive at that time and have in place safety precautions which may include face masks, social distancing, and/or daily health screenings. More specific information will be sent to camp families in the late Spring. will be sent to camp families in the late Spring.

Irvine is a “Peanut-AWARE” camp. Our staff pay special attention to allergies listed in the health forms. However, we DO NOT prohibit nuts or other allergens across-the-board at camp. It’s important to note that we travel and use park picnic benches and public areas. We cannot guarantee that a camper will not be exposed to allergens.

Visit www.explorenature.org/summercamp to register for Summer Nature Camp!

2-3 years olds accompanied by caregiver

BUDS CAMP

Give your little one the chance to meet new animal friends, create nature crafts, sing songs, and explore outside. Perfect for parents, grandparents, nannies, and other caregivers who are seeking a unique and meaningful experience. Buds campers are naturally curious about the world outside. Together, children and their caregivers discover the wonders of wildlife through age-appropriate activities like live animal encounters, nature walks, songs, stories, puppet shows and art experiences.

SAPLINGS CAMPS

Plant those roots early; you can never start cultivating an interest in nature too soon! Our half-day Saplings camps introduce the beauty and mysteries to be found in the great outdoors. Curious kids thrive in these camps, as they are hands-on, experiential, and centered around that favorite question “Why?” Sapling campers MUST be potty trained. Choose from five weekly themes:

NATURE NUTS: Is your camper excited about the outdoors and ready to be nuts for nature? Is so, they should join us as we try not to get tangled up in the food web and learn to identify the many plants and animals that call Irvine’s woodlands home.

SPLASH ZONE: Like to get wet? We thought so! Campers will explore aquatic themes and frolic like frogs in the muddy places that amphibians inhabit at Irvine. We’ll also meet many of Irvine’s amphibian ambassadors!

TRULY SENSATIONAL: In this camp children will use all of their senses to explore nature. We will listen for bird calls, smell flowers, see wildlife, touch interesting plants, and taste sweet berries. Campers will also learn how animals use their different senses to thrive in their natural environments.

DOODLEBUGS: If animals inspire your budding artist, then join us for a week of creativity! Campers will enjoy nature walks, animal encounters and hands-on discovery, then attempt to express some of the beautiful, weird and funky aspects of wildlife through a variety of art projects.

FOREST FAIRYTALES: Does your child love fantastical stories? Do they get lost in a world of imagination? Then this camp is for them! Limited only by their own creativity and the natural resources around them, campers will transform our forest into a wonderland of dragons, fairies, gnomes, unicorns and more!

DISCOVERY CAMPS

Eye-opening revelations await Discovery campers as they will engage in a sensory approach to unearthing many of nature’s secrets. Tactile learners will love investigating by digging in dirt, stomping through streams, and trekking for tracks, all for the sake of observing natural phenomena up close. This age group has a camp offered every week. Choose from ten weekly themes:

TRAIL BLAZERS: This camp is for kids who love to explore wild places! We will meander along some of Irvine’s less-traveled trails (perhaps blazing a new one or two) and search the surrounding meadows and forests for interesting plant and animal inhabitants. Campers will use sweep nets, build shelters, ford streams, and taste some delicious woodland treats along the way.

JOURNEY THROUGH SPACE: Glide through the galaxy and explore how planet Earth is perfectly suited to support life. Learn about our solar system, phases of the moon, gravity, Earth’s atmosphere, and the sun’s role in photosynthesis. Look into the special features that enable animals to hunt or migrate entirely in the dark; you will feel like a star when you understand the galactic role that astronomy plays in the everyday lives of Earthly creatures.

*MUDDY BUDDIES: Jump right in as we trek our way into the wetlands and streams in search of wonderful squishy mud and the critters that live within. Campers will get down and dirty as they experience a new outdoor adventure every day!

GREEN THUMB: While exploring Irvine’s gardens and forests, campers will dig deep to learn all about how plants grow. Get an up-close look at how people and animals use plants for nourishment, shelter, and survival. Campers will even grow a miniature garden of their own to take home!

CREATURE FEATURES: Evolution favors characteristics that make an organism more ‘fit’ to survive. Through hands-on exploration of animal artifacts and up-close meet-and-greets with some of our favorite animal ambassadors, students will learn how animals’ adaptations help them obtain food more effectively, avoid predators, and survive under challenging environmental conditions.

DISCOVERY CAMPS

CRAFTY CRITTERS: Come explore nature’s stunning color palette and endless supply of unique media for unleashing your inner artist! Throughout the week campers will create masterpieces out of natural materials, like clay, plant matter, and natural dyes, which abound in the great outdoors if one simply knows where to look!

CREEPY CRAWLIES: Grab your magnifying glass and peer into the wonderful world of bugs! How strong is an ant? What are honey bees’ favorite flowers? Where are crickets’ ears located and how do they make those cool chirping sounds? Campers will find the answers to these questions and more in this camp!

LAND BEFORE TIME: Go back to a time when pterosaurs filled the sky! Meet some descendants of the ancient dinosaurs and see how they have survived to today. Become a paleontologist and learn how fossils form and what they can tell us about prehistoric life; we’ll even have our very own fossil hunt! Play games, create art, and participate in activities designed to explore trace fossils, geology and the world of dinosaurs.

ROOKIE RANGERS: Are those eggs from frogs or toads? What bird says “Who cooks for you all?” Just like park rangers, campers will investigate the evidence of animal activity and discover how plants and animals work together in an ecosystem. Games and other activities will amplify the training of Irvine’s Rookie Rangers!

MESSTIVAL: Celebrate the festival of messes, while exploring nature with lots of hands on activities! Roll up your sleeves and get elbow deep while enjoying activities like dissecting owl pellets, getting the scoop about animal poop, and even making their own slime!

EXPLORERS CAMPS

Children in our Explorers camps will cultivate a deeper understanding of the relationships between wildlife and their natural surroundings. A variety of environmental games, nature crafts, and interactive STEM activities will help illustrate the interconnectedness of the natural world and reinforce ecological concepts we’ve encountered in our daily explorations. This age group has a camp offered every week. Choose from ten weekly themes:

WETLAND WONDERS: Campers will become aquatic ecologists, as they delve into Irvine’s wetland habitats to perform water quality tests and document the biodiversity found in both our ponds and streams. They will analyze their findings to determine the health of each ecosystem, compare and contrast the macroinvertebrate communities in each, and learn how these habitats contribute to the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. This hands-on experience will allow students to realize the impact their local choices can have on our greater environment.

ANIMAL OLYMPICS: Run as fast as a cheetah and jump farther than a bullfrog! Meet Irvine’s amazing animals and learn about their astounding abilities for hunting prey or avoiding becoming it themselves! Campers will participate in challenges and learn new skills, while discovering the unique ‘superpowers’ of many of the creatures that live in our area.

*HEALTHY HERBALISTS: Did you know that Irvine recently created a new Therapeutic Herb Garden? In this beautiful new setting, we will cultivate our knowledge of the wonderous plants used to formulate the various ointments, potions, and teas that have been utilized and consumed for centuries. Join an Irvine herbalist and use your five senses to explore various medicinal plants, create your own plant journals and have healthy, mindful explorations—tea tastings included!

CHILD VS. WILD: This week is all about surviving and thriving outdoors! In between building shelters and fording streams, campers will practice fire safety, learn knot-tying techniques, and hone skills for identifying common plants & animals of the Mid-Atlantic.

SENSATIONAL: After making their way through some exciting naturethemed sensory stations, students will use all five of their senses to explore the forests, meadows and other habitats surrounding Irvine. They will experience the natural events characteristic to the current season and discover how animals and humans use their senses to learn about the world around them and thrive within it.

EXPLORERS CAMPS

LIVING OFF THE LAND: Campers will take a step back in time and learn all about the traditions and lifestyles of Maryland’s pre-colonial Native American tribes. Using Irvine’s replica longhouse, wigwams, and Three Sisters’ Garden as a backdrop, we’ll explore how Native Americans made optimal use of their natural resources to thrive as a community. To gain a genuine understanding of daily life in the Woodland Era, campers will learn about tool use, clothing, hunting and gathering, living structures, fire-making methods, communication and games through hands-on experience at engaging stations.

NATURALLY CREATIVE: Budding young artists will really enjoy this blend of creativity and outside activity. Because of their intricate details, wildlife can be among the most challenging—and enjoyable—subjects to draw. Using our Animal Ambassadors as ‘models,’ campers will refine their sketching skills, learn to reproduce details like counter-shading and camouflage, and practice drawing images in lifelike poses. Children will enjoy making creative memories and masterpieces with these newly learned techniques.

ANIMAL ARCHITECTS: Beavers, birds, and bugs--oh my! All of these animals are incredible engineers. Campers will participate in animal encounters to learn how these natural builders construct their homes. Then we will work together as a team to create our own structures, using the building techniques we’ve learned from the animals themselves!

NATURE DETECTIVES: Who left those tracks? What animal made that scat? What was munching on these leaves? Campers will truly become detectives as we spend the week scoping out the trails for clues left by the animals. We will also learn how different animals sneak through the forest, find food and water, and spend their days and nights when we’re not watching.

EARTHLY ELEMENTS : Water, earth, fire, air. Explore our winding creek, dig into the soil, build a roaring fire, and breath in the fresh air. Campers will experience all of the earth’s finest elements while making memories and enjoying all that Irvine has to offer.

ADVENTURE CAMPS

Adventure campers will connect with the great outdoors through exciting, more specialized topics. We use STEM principles, outdoor recreation, and even animal interactions to better understand the natural world. Each of these camps features either an evening program, offsite excursion, or campout. Choose from our five weekly themes:

PICTURE PERFECT: Connect with nature, sharpen your observation skills, and learn to use the visual medium of photography to share glimpses into the fascinating stories of the natural world. While interacting with animals, plants, and landscapes through a creative lens, campers will learn photographic tips and tricks for capturing and documenting special moments in nature. Cameras optional and can be provided; camp will include an evening program to explore photography in different lighting situations.

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL: What if . . . ? Emergency preparedness is emphasized in this unique camp program. Through a variety of handson activities, students will learn skills such as basic navigation and map reading, shelter building, fire making and safety, water collection and filtering, and how to use natural resources to help survive an outdoor excursion, should unanticipated circumstances arise. While learning practical backcountry skills, campers will be encouraged to work together as a team to overcome challenges. Camp includes a Thursday night campout in lieu of camp being closed on July 4th.

ANIMAL CARETAKERS (offered twice): If your child wants to be a veterinarian, zookeeper, or park ranger, then they will love this camp! Our animal care professionals will provide campers with hands-on experiences feeding, caring for, and training the many species of injured and imprinted animals that we house at Irvine! An offsite Friday field trip will provide insight into additional careers that involve meeting the needs of other wildlife species.

HELPING HANDS: Environmental stewardship is the focus of this camp. Campers will learn about the impact that our daily activities have on the Earth, then participate in exciting hands-on explorations and experiments that will help them discover ways to reduce their carbon footprint and conserve resources for the future. We will learn about renewable energy sources, like solar, wind, and the geothermal heat we have here at Irvine. From recycling to composting, students will develop the skills to be environmental stewards in their daily lives and take the initial steps to help combat climate change! Note: Friday’s camp will include an offsite field trip

COUNSELORS IN TRAINING (CIT)

Too old for our Nature Camps but wishing you could still attend? Why not apply to become one of our select Counselors in Training?

CITs will learn about the ins and outs of summer camp childcare and are introduced to basic team-building, leadership, and camp management skills. Basic instruction in animal handling will be included. Thereafter, CITs assist counselors with leading young campers through games, crafts, hikes, and other means of nature exploration.

CITs must be 13-16 years of age and need to complete a simple application and an interview before being selected. Once selected, CITs must attend a training session on either June 17th or July 15th, depending on session assignment. If you are interested in becoming a CIT, please contact Maggie Winkler at WinklerM@ExploreNature.org. Deadline to apply to be a CIT is April 24th.

REGISTRATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Go ONLINE for easy and paperless registration.

• Campers must be the required age for their group by September 1st. Saplings campers must be potty trained. No exceptions.

• A 50 % deposit is due at the time of registration. Remaining payment amount is due May 1st. You will be sent a reminder of your payment due prior to the due date. You may set up an automatic payment or pay in full at the time of registration, if you wish. Remaining payments will be paid through your account on the registration portal.

• Registrations received after May 1st must be paid in full.

• Your child’s spot will be forfeited if full payment is not received by May 15th.

• Online registration includes a health form and waiver. All forms, waivers, and agreements must be completed in order to register.

• If you have any questions, please call (443) 738-9215 to reach the Education Program Coordinator or email MunschM@ExploreNature.org with ‘Summer Camp Registration’ in the subject line.

ONLINE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES:

1. Visit our website: www.explorenature.org. 2. Click on the Summer Camp Banner. 3. Choose the appropriate age group. 4. Continue to Online Registration – you must have or create an account. The email address associated with this account is where you will receive all camp correspondence.

5. Complete camper’s health history and medication (ALL medications MUST be Self-Administered) and waiver; you must fill out all information to proceed.

6. Check out!

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

1. You will receive an automated email receipt for your payment. This receipt includes a message with general information about how to prepare for camp.

2. If more health information is needed for your child, someone from our camp team will contact you.

3. Two weeks before your camp week begins, you will receive a Welcome Letter via email. This will include topics for each day of camp, a gear list, and additional information to prepare your child for their upcoming Summer Nature Camp experience.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Irvine reserves the right to cancel any camp session due to insufficient enrollment. If Irvine cancels a session, all fees will be fully refunded. If you remove your child from a camp session before it begins, membership fees are non-refundable and camp refunds are as follows:

Sorry, we cannot make exceptions.

Located in Baltimore County, nestled in the Greenspring Valley, Irvine Nature Center is located at 11201 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills.

With 211 acres of woodlands, wetlands and meadows, visitors can enjoy over 8 miles of well-maintained trails and experience Maryland’s natural beauty.

While at Irvine, be sure to visit our brand-new Therapeutic Herb Garden, check out the raptors in the Aviary, play in the Outdoor Classroom, hike to the Native American Site, explore the Meadows and Wetlands, and tour the Woodland Gardens.

Offering extensive, year-round educational programming, Irvine’s goal is to expose children and adults to the importance of environmental literacy and stewardship. “At Irvine, we inspire people to explore, respect and protect nature.”

Just minutes away from I-695, I-795, and I-83. Irvine is open to the public Tuesday – Sunday.

www.ExploreNature.org