There’s no better way to learn about the watershed than to explore it. There’s no better way to appreciate the plants and animals that live there than to know them. When school is out and parents need to sort through the myriad opportunities to keep their children busy, consider fun and educational camps that may just ignite your child’s passion for the environment.
Many members of the Alliance for Watershed Education will offer hands-on nature-based camps to children ages 3 – 16. Fees vary and some are subsidized. Below are just a few:
Berks Nature Eco-Camp
Basic Info: Three age groups offered each week: Preschool (3+ if potty-trained), grades K-4th, grades 5th-8th.
Location: Camps will be held at The Nature Place at Angelica Park, 575 St. Bernardine Street, Reading, PA
Week 1: Exploring the Wetlands, June 10-Jun 14 9:00-4:00 (or ½ day option 9:00 – 12:00)
Week 2: Reptiles & Amphibians, June 17- June 21 9:00-4:00 (or ½ day option 9:00 – 12:00)
Week 3: Wacky Science Experiments & the 3 R’s, June 24 – June 28, 9:00-4:00 (or ½ day option 9:00 – 12:00)
Week 4: Cyclemania Bike Week! July 8 – July 12, 9:00-4:00 (or ½ day option 9:00 – 12:00)
Week 5: Weather All Around Us, July 15 – July 19, 9:00-4:00 (or ½ day option 9:00 – 12:00)
Week 6: The Amazing World of Flying Insects & Weather All Around us cont’d, July 22 – July 26, 9:00-4:00 (or ½ day option 9:00 – 12:00)
Week 7: Wild Things & Wilderness Survival, July 29 – August 2 9:00-4:00 (or ½ day option 9:00 – 12:00)
Week 8: Our Wacky Watersheds, August 5 – August 9 9:00-4:00 (or ½ day option 9:00 – 12:00)
Week 9: Bat & Raptor Week (+ Camp sleepover!), August 12 – August 16 9:00-4:00 (or ½ day option 9:00 – 12:00)
Delaware Nature Society’s Summer Camps
Let your child explore, discover, and experience the outdoors this summer with Delaware Nature Society’s fun and educational Summer Camps. Kids get to try hiking, gardening, stream & pond exploration, visual & culinary arts, camping, fishing, archery, canoeing, or kayaking.
Basic Info: Full and Half Day camps are held in several locations throughout Delaware including AWE’s Dupont Environmental Education Center.
DEEC Camp: Odyssey (ages 9-12) July 15- 19, 8:30-3:00 (after care available)
DEEC Camp: Treasure Mappers (ages 6-8) July 15-19 8:30-3:00 (after care available)
DEEC Camp: Christina River Rangers (ages 9-12) July 22- 26, 8:30-3:00 (after care available)
DEEC Camp: Butterflies In Bloom (ages 6-8) July 22-26 8:30-3:00 (after care available)
DEEC Camp: Fun with Fishing (ages 9-12) July 29-Aug 2 8:30-3:00 (after care available)
DEEC Camp: The Mad Scientist (ages 6-8) July 29-Aug 2 8:30-3:00 (after care available)
DEEC Camp: Trailblazers (ages 9-12) Aug 5 -Aug 9 8:30-3:00 (after care available)
DEEC Camp: Animal Superheroes (ages 6-8) Aug 5- Aug 9 8:30-3:00 (after care available)
Center for Aquatic Sciences at Adventure Aquarium Summer Camps
Join the Center for Aquatic Sciences at Adventure Aquarium for one of our “shark-tastic” summer camp experiences! Children will have the opportunity to discover marine animals and the oceans, engage in STEM-based learning, and connect with other students who share their love of all things aquatic!
Location information: Unless noted, camps will be held in the New Jersey Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ.
Small Fry Camp Ages 4 – 5
Small Fry Campers will explore the wonders of the aquatic world in this half-day program! Camp includes hands on science investigation and activities that engage the 5 senses and encourage curiosity (Read More)
Ocean Explorer Camp Ages 6 – 11
Ocean Explorer Camp brings the aquatic world closer with fun-filled activities and exploration. Field trips and hands-on science give campers unique experiences they won’t soon forget! (Read More)
Junior Marine Biologist Camp Ages 12 – 15
Junior Marine Biologist Camp is full of hands-on science, animal interactions, field trips and behind the scenes experiences at Adventure Aquarium! This program is a great way to begin your research into marine science as a career or nurture your love of the ocean. (Read More)
Teen Volunteers Wanted! Ages 16 – 18
Become a Summer Sea Camp Teen Volunteer! Gain valuable experience and develop leadership skills assisting summer camp staff with younger campers. Camp volunteers will help staff with daily camp activities including games, crafts, lessons, and field trips. Sea Camp Volunteers must be able to volunteer for a minimum of 2 weeks of camp (weeks do not have to be consecutive) and attend a Volunteer Training session prior to the start of camp.
Independence Seaport Museum Seaport Summer Camps
Learn all about history, science, and how to row or kayak on the Delaware River at Independence Seaport Museum Seaport Summer Camps, featuring full days of activities and exploration on the water for ages 6-15.
Location information: Unless noted, all camps will be held at Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia
Every week is a new discovery, with an in-depth look into the science and history of Philadelphia and its waterways.
June 17-21 & 24-28: Waterfront Explorers Teen Camp
June 24-28: Navy Boot Camp I
July 1: Summer at the Seaport Sneak Peek
July 2: Summer at the Seaport Sneak Peek
July 3: Summer at the Seaport Sneak Peek
July 8-12: Captains and Commanders
July 15-19: Young Engineers
July 22-26: Eco Ambassadors
July 29-August 2: Discover the Delaware
August 5-9: Navy Boot Camp II
August 12-16: What Lurks Beneath the Water?
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education Summer Camps
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education offers numerous cool camps for kids ranging in age from 3 – 15.
Location Information: Unless noted, camps will be held at 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Philadelphia.
Ages 3-5:
Making Maps, June 10-14, 9:00-3:30 or morning 9:00-12:30
Making Maps 2, June 17-21, 9:00-3:30 or morning 9:00-12:30
Dig Deep 1, June 24-28, 9:00-3:30 or morning 9:00-12:30
Dig Deep 2, July 1-3 & 5th, 9:00-3:30 or morning 9:00-12:30
Interesting Invertebrates 1, July 8-12, 9:00-3:30 or morning 9:00-12:30
Interesting Invertebrates 2, July 15-19, 9:00-3:30 or morning 9:00-12:30
Wonderful Water 1, July 22-26, 9:00-3:30 or morning 9:00-12:30
Wonderful Water 2, July 29-Aug 2, 9:00-3:30 or morning 9:00-12:30
Plentiful Plants 1 August 5-9, 9:00-3:30 or morning 9:00-12:30
Plentiful Plants 2 Aug 12-16, 9:00-3:30 or morning 9:00-12:30
Ages 6-7:
Scutes, Scales & Tails, June 10-14, 9:00-3:30
Pollinator Power, June 17-21, 9:00-3:30
Mad Scientists, June 24-28, 9:00-3:30
Time Travelers, July 1-3 & 5th 9:00-3:30
Forest Explorers, July 8-12, 9:00-3:30
From Trash to Treasure*, July 15-19, 9:00-3:30
Tracks, Scat & Signs, July 22-26, 9:00-3:30
Water, Water Everywhere, July 29 – Aug 2, 9:00-3:30
Homes & Habitats, Aug 5-9, 9:00-3:30
Schuylkill Center Olympics, Aug 12-16, 9:00-3:30
Ages 8-9:
Animal Architects, June 10-14, 9:00-3:30
Incredible Insects, June 17-21, 9:00-3:30
Junior Ecologist, June 24-28, 9:00-3:30
Rockin’ Reptiles & Amazing Amphibians, July 1-3 & 5th, 9:00-3:30
On the Water, July 8-12, 9:00-3:30
Mad Scientists, July 15-19, 9:00-3:30
Did You Hear That? July 22-26, 9:00-3:30
Stewards of the Forest, July 29- Aug 2, 9:00-3:30
Wild About Weather, August 5-9, 9:00-3:30
Schuylkill Center Olympics, Aug 12-16, 9:00-3:30
Ages 10-12:
Geology Week, June 10-14,
Assateague Island, June 17-21,
Wildlife Week, June 24-28,
Rickett’s Glen State Park, July 1-5,
Hiking, Biking & Rafting I, July 8-12,
Teamwork Challenge, July 15-19,
Water Week, July 22-26
Cape Henlopen, July 29-Aug 2,
Hiking, Biking & Rafting II, August 5-9,
Beach Week, Aug 12-16
Ages 13-15:
Ohiopyle State Park, July 8-12,
Delaware Water Gap, July 15-19,
Assateague Island, July 22-26
Watershed Institute Nature Camps
Location information: Unless noted, camps will be held at 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ
Age 5:
Turkey Tails July 8-12
Flying Squirrels, July 15-19,
Summer Sunfish, July 22-26,
Tricky Tracks, July 29-Aug 2,
Water Pennies, Aug 5-9
Creeping Caterpillars, Aug 12-26,
Busy Bees, Aug 19-23
Age 6-7:
Buggin’ Out July 8-12
Stream Stompers , July 15-19,
Backcountry Basics, July 22-26,
Art Meet Wild, July 29-Aug 2
Track Troop, Aug 5-9
Drip Drop, Aug 12-26,
Map Masters, Aug 19-23
Age 8-9
Habitat Sleuths July 8-12
Helter Shelter , July 15-19,
Ponds & Puddles, July 22-26,
Make it Wild, July 29-Aug 2
Survivor Kid, Aug 5-9
Insect Safari, Aug 12-26,
Chill Out, Aug 19-23
Age 10-11
Trail Team July 8-12
Wandering Water, July 15-19,
Native & Wild, July 22-26,
Can-Do-Canoe, July 29-Aug 2
Wingin’ It, Aug 5-9
Skill Quest, Aug 12-26,
Earth Artisans, Aug 19-23
Age 12-14
Where to? Watchung July 15-19
Packs & Pines, July 22-26,
Island Days, July 29-Aug 2
River Ramble, Aug 5-9
High Point Happenings, Aug 12-26,
Home ‘Shed Home, Aug 19-23
Age 15-16
Counselors-In-Training (CIT) I, July 8-19
Counselors-In-Training (CIT) II, July 22- Aug 2
Counselors-In-Training (CIT) III, Aug 5- 16
Other Summer Camp Offerings
Lehigh Gap Young Ecologists Summer Camp June 25-28, 8:30-3:30 For students finishing grades 5-7. Registration required. Camps will be held at 8844 Paint Mill Rd., Slatington, PA
Lehigh Gap Watershed Camp July 16-19, 8:30-3:30 “For students finishing grades 6-12. Registration required.