Nature Day Camp Summer 2016

Transcription

1 Nature Day Camp Summer 2016

2 Facebook f Logo CMYK /.eps Facebook f Logo CMYK /.eps Venture Out! Why Nature Day Camp? Nature Day Camp is like no other opportunity you can offer your child. A week spent splashing in ponds, chasing grasshoppers, imagining miniature villages, and exploring Michigan s amazing natural resources will have your child begging to spend more time outside. Our dedicated, caring counselors will guide your child through age appropriate games, investigations, crafts, and activities all designed to spark a sense of curiosity and a desire to experience new things. We are committed to helping each child find their niche at camp while they build friendships and gain new skills. I invite you to explore this brochure, talk to other parents, or contact me with questions. I can be reached at or jkirts@chippewanaturecenter.org. Nature Day Camp is a magical experience and we can t wait to share it with your child! Sincerely, Jenn Kirts Day Camp Director This year, Chippewa Nature Center celebrates 50 years of connecting people with nature. Come celebrate with us! Venture Out with Your Family! We invite you to explore 1,200 acres of forests, fields, and ponds on the 15+ miles of trails here at Chippewa Nature Center. Our calendar is full of guided hikes, workshops, programs, and adventures for children, adults, and families all year round. Stop by our Visitor Center to learn what has been seen recently, tour our Ecosystem Gallery, or play in the Nature Discovery Area. It s time to Venture Out! Trails: Open daily, dawn-to-dark Visitor Center: Monday Saturday, 8 am-5 pm Sunday and Holidays, 12 pm-5 pm Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Afternoon, Christmas Day Chippewa Nature Center 400 S. Badour Road Midland, MI (989) /cncmidland

3 Online registration begins Tuesday, April 5 at 8am. For registration instructions, please visit Camp Sessions Listed by Age Nature Tots 2 Tiny Trailblazers 2 Let s Explore Nature 2 Have to Have a Habitat 2 Habitat Hunters 4 Sensational Senses 3 Critter Encounter 4 Eco Heroes 3 Nature Detectives 4 Hop, Slither & Crawl 3 Nature Art 4 Nature Explorers 4 Village 5 Chippewa Rangers 7 1 That s Gross! 3 Advanced Chippewa Rangers 7 1 Advanced Village 5 Creature Camp 5 1 Hurray for Herps! 3 Eco Adventures 7 2 Exploring Nature Together 5 Nature Games 3 Survival Village 5 Nature Art II 6 South Manitou Island Adv. 8 4 Adventure Camp 6 Outdoor Skills and Survival 6 1 Canoeing the Big Manistee 8 4 Leaders-in-Training 6 1 N. Manitou Island Backpacking 8 4 Paddling Camp 3 1 Backpacking Pictured Rocks 8 8 Counselor in Training (Volunteer) 7 Page number Half-day Overnights 3 year olds 4 year olds 5 year olds 6 year olds 7 year olds 8 year olds 9 year olds 10 year olds 11 year olds 12 year olds 13 year olds 14 year olds 15 year olds 16 year olds June June June 27-July 1 July July18-22 July Aug 1-5 Aug 8-12 Aug Two week Two week Two week Two week Two week Two week Table of Contents Our brochure is also available online at: 1

4 2Half-Day Camps Nature Tots 3-4 year olds with an adult $105 ($84 for CNC Members) June :30 11:30 July :30 11:30 This is a wonderful opportunity to share in the discovery and delight of exploring the natural world with your child. Through group time, hands-on activity stations, and exploration, you (or another caregiver) and your child will become partners in discovery. This camp will be held at the Nature Preschool building and will be taught by a Nature Preschool teacher. Snacks will be provided. Tiny Trailblazers $105 ($84 for CNC Members) June 27-July 1 9:30 12 July :30 12 July :30-12 August 1-5 9: year olds If your child is ready for an independent adventure, he or she will love this camp. During the week we will explore the woods, fields, and ponds of CNC using our senses to make discoveries in every new place. As we play outdoors, we will do age appropriate crafts, play games, enjoy a healthy snack, and have fun making new friends at camp. This camp will be based at the Nature Preschool building and will be taught by a Nature Preschool teacher. Children attending must be able to use the bathroom independently. A special family time will be held at 11:30am on Friday. (989) Let s Explore Nature $105 ($84 for CNC Members) June :30 12 June :30 July :30 12 July :30 July :30 12 July :30 August 1-5 9:30-12 August : year olds We ll explore the lives of animals and plants through short hikes, stories, games and crafts. Engaging hands-on activities and exploration will help nature come to life for your young explorer. A healthy snack is provided daily. A special family time is held Friday at 11:30am or 3pm. These sessions will be held at the Nature Preschool Building. Have to Have a Habitat $105 ($84 for CNC Members) June 27-July 1 9:30 12 June 27-July 1 1-3:30 July :30-12 July : year olds Every animal has to have a habitat! Through games, crafts, stories, and exploration, campers will learn what animals and people need to survive. A snack will be provided and camp will be based at the Nature Preschool Building. A special family time will be held Friday at 11:30am or 3pm. Online registration begins Tuesday, April 5 at 8am.

5 Sensational Senses 5-6 year olds $110 ($88 for CNC Members) Smell, taste, touch, hearing, and sight are the senses we use to learn about our world. Do the animals explore the world the same way? We will explore nature using our own senses while we learn about the senses of the animals around us. Eco-Heroes 6-7 year olds $110 ($88 for CNC Members) Imaginations will soar as campers choose their own Ecohero name and the group works together to protect nature from harm. Through secret missions, craft projects, and imaginative play, campers will learn about caring for the natural world in a fun, dynamic way. Hop, Slither & Crawl 7-9 year olds $110 ($88 for CNC Members) Frogs, turtles, and snakes! Learn all about hopping, slithering, and crawling amphibians and reptiles during this mini-camp. Campers will explore the woods, fields, and ponds of CNC in search of these critters. That s Gross! 8-10 year olds $110 ($88 for CNC Members) If things that slither, slime or sludge along are the things your camper loves best, then you ve got to check out this camp. We ll study scat, sleuth out slugs, find insect-eating plants, and explore countless gross, but amazing abilities of plants and animals right here in Michigan. Hurray for Herps! 9-11 year olds $110 ($88 for CNC Members) We ll spend three days searching for snakes, frogs, toads, turtles, and salamanders all over the Nature Center. When we get tired of rolling logs and searching the river, we ll play games and make a few crafts as we learn about these amazing critters. Nature Games year olds $130 ($104 for CNC Members) The campout is Tuesday to Wednesday. Are the games your favorite part of camp? Do you love to run, jump, outsmart the other team, and challenge yourself? This camp will focus on learning about elements of nature through games and having some plain old fun playing camp classics like Camouflage! and Smelly Fungus Ball. Paddling Camp year olds $130 ($104 for CNC Members) The campout is Tuesday to Wednesday. Grab a paddle and let s hit the river! On Monday we ll take the canoes out on a local river or lake and learn to work together. Tuesday morning we ll go to Mt. Pleasant and spend the day paddling the Chippewa River. Tuesday night we ll camp on the bank of the river before continuing downstream on Wednesday. We ll leave plenty of time for fun and exploration as we travel the beautiful Chippewa River. Mini-Camps Aug

6 4Full-Day Camps 1 week Nature Detectives 6-7 year olds $160 ($128 for CNC Members) July :30-3:30 August 1-5 9:30-3:30 Habitat Hunters 5-6 year olds $160 ($128 for CNC Members) June :30-3:30 July :30-3:30 August 1-5 9:30-3:30 Campers will work as a team to decipher clues and get to the bottom of daily nature mysteries. After going through Detective Academy on Monday, campers will use their sleuthing skills to explore nature, discovering amazing things about the plants, animals, rocks, and weather in our own backyards. Nature Art 7-9 year olds $180 ($144 for CNC Members) During this full-day session, campers will venture out to the forests, meadows, ponds, and the Homestead Farm as they learn about who lives in each place. Stories, hikes, exploration, and crafts will help teach campers what every animal needs to survive. A special family time will be held on Friday at 3pm. This session will be held at the Nature Preschool Building (except for the June and Aug sessions which will be at the Nature Study Building). Critter Encounter 6-7 year olds $160 ($128 for CNC Members) July :30-3:30 August 1-5 9:30-3:30 There are so many cool critters hiding all around the Nature Center. During this session, campers will search for birds, chase insects, and jump after frogs. We will have the opportunity to meet some animals face-to-face as we explore their habitats, while others will be encountered through stories, games, and crafts. (989) It s time to get creative! Campers will explore the natural world through a variety of arts and crafts projects. Each day will be spent in a different habitat using materials and gaining inspiration from the things that make each place special. Families are invited to an Art Show on Friday afternoon. Nature Explorers 7-9 year olds $160 ($128 for CNC Members) July :30-3:30 August 1-5 9:30-3:30 It s time to get down and dirty and learn about the natural treasures in the woods, fields, and ponds. Campers will become explorers as they discover the elements of the food web all around them. Beginning with the sun, campers will complete challenges as they move through the energy cycle. This is a week of fun that can t be missed!

7 Village 7-9 year olds $160 ($128 for CNC Members) June :30-3:30 July :30-3:30 Using our imagination and natural materials, we will bring a miniature village to life as we explore country life in the 1870s. Visits to our Homestead Farm and Log Schoolhouse help campers learn about the challenges and resources available to early Midland residents. Campers love the opportunity to work as individuals and teams to create their own community. Families are invited to visit the Village on Friday afternoon. Advanced Village: A Fur Trade Adventure 9-11 year olds $175 ($140 for CNC Members) If you loved Village, have a good imagination, and enjoy an adventure, this camp is for you! You and your crew will set out into the wild to meet with Native Americans in the uncharted wilderness. You will face many obstacles and challenges as you attempt to complete a trade of European goods for pelts and foods. (Okay, your miniature character will actually be having the adventures, just like Village, but there will be plenty of adventure for you too.) Survival Village year olds $175 ($140 for CNC Members) August 1-5 9:30-3:30 Each day you will slip into the wilderness of CNC to live in a life-sized village built by your own hands. Assuming a character role of your own creation, you will use your imagination and the skills you learn to work as a community. The days will be spent building forts, forging rivers, and seeking adventure as you solve challenges and learn to survive by relying on each other. Exploring Nature Together year olds $60 (Scholarships Available) - Admission by application August :30-3:30 The campout begins at 12pm Thursday and ends at 9am Friday. Full-Day Camps 1 week Creature Camp 9-11 year olds $175 ($140 for CNC Members) June :30-3:30 The campout will be held Thursday evening. If rolling logs, wading through water and outsmarting chipmunks sounds like fun, then this is the camp for you! We will spend our days, and one night, walking, stalking, and wading through the Nature Center in search of a wide variety of critters. Everything including dragonfly nymphs, salamanders, and chipmunks will be fair game as we search high and low for as many creatures as we can find. This unique session of camp is designed to be an amazing and powerful camp experience for children on the autism spectrum and their typical peers. Campers will have the opportunity to kayak or canoe, walk in the river, build forts, do crafts, sing songs, and participate in a campout at our Homestead Farm. Each camper will be encouraged and challenged at their own pace in a supportive, fun atmosphere. *For more details, including staffing, application, and questions, please contact Jenn Kirts, Day Camp Director at jkirts@chippewanaturecenter.org or Spots are limited and applications, including a teacher recommendation, are due by May 15 or until the session is full. 5

8 6Full-Day Camps 1 week Outdoor Skills and Survival year olds $175 ($140 for CNC Members) The campout will be held Thursday evening. Spend the week learning what it takes to feel comfortable in the wilds of Michigan. Learn orienteering skills, build shelters in the woods, and practice some traditional skills such as fire by friction, cordage making, and cooking over an open fire. The campout will be a great opportunity to practice what we ve been learning all week long! Leaders in Training year olds $250 ($200 for CNC Members) The campout will be held Wednesday evening. Nature Art II year olds $180 ($144 for CNC Members) July :30-3:30 Inspiration can be found at every turn as we explore nature and use it to inform our art. Using a variety of media, including paints, clay, gourds, colored pencils, and more, we will express ourselves through various projects as we develop our own portfolio for our art show on Friday afternoon. In this program, LITs learn leadership skills and methods of working with younger children. The overnight will provide LITs the opportunity to challenge themselves on a ropes course and improve communication skills, problem-solving, and teamwork. The week culminates in being a CIT for a day helping counselors with their groups. LITs completing this program will be eligible to apply to volunteer as a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) for Summer Adventure Camp year olds $250 ($200 for CNC Members) June :30-3:30 Each day of this camp will provide a unique opportunity for campers to challenge themselves or learn new skills. Campers will have the chance to kayak, bike (with their own bicycle), hike, explore a tree-top zipline, and develop strong outdoor skills all week long. (989)

9 Chippewa Rangers 8-10 year olds $320 ($256 for CNC Members) July 11-15, :30-3:30 July 25-29, August 1-5 9:30-3:30 The campout will begin Wednesday at noon and end at Thursday at noon the second week of the session. Come experience camp at its best. This program gives you the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring nature, building friendships and choosing which activities interest you the most. An all-day hike near Mt. Pleasant, a canoe trip under the Tridge, and an overnight campout at the Homestead Farm are some of the highlights of this session Advanced Chippewa Rangers 9-11 year olds $340 ($272 for CNC Members) June 20-24, August 1-5, :30-3:30 The campout will be Thursday of the second week. This one-of-a-kind camp gives kids the opportunity to dive into many topics at CNC with lots of extra-special off-site experiences. A live raptor presentation, trip to a planetarium, exploration of Native American culture, river trip in kayaks, and overnight camp out at Hartwick Pines make this twoweek adventure something you won t want to miss! Eco Adventures year olds $360 ($288 for CNC Members) July 11-15, :30-3:30 July 18-22, :30-3:30 The campout will be Wednesday through Thursday of the second week. Wilderness survival, wildlife ecology and leave no trace skills are all part of this adventure program! Spend two weeks learning more about the environment and how to care for it all while having fun kayaking down the river, visiting local parks, exploring the woods, and using your new skills! The camp experience culminates in a three-day, two-night campout at a Pigeon River State Forest campground. Counselor-in-Training Volunteers Are you ready to be a Counselor-in-Training? Counselors-in-Training, or CITs, are volunteers, 13- to 17-years old, who spend two weeks at camp assisting counselors with campers. CITs must have a positive attitude, be flexible, enjoy working with kids, be creative, and be willing to learn alongside the campers. Being a CIT is a lot of fun, it may even be the highlight of your summer, but it is also a big responsibility and requires commitment and dedication. What does a CIT do? Each CIT works with a counselor and a group of 10 campers. CITs help with crafts, sing songs, lead lunchtime activities, are positive role models and help each camper feel welcome and respected at camp. CITs are very important members of the Nature Day Camp team. CITs must be at least 13 years old by the week they volunteer. Preference is given to teens that have completed the 9th grade or have completed the Leadersin-Training program. CITs are expected to volunteer two weeks out of the summer, but the weeks do not need to be consecutive. CITs are expected to arrive at camp by 8:30am each morning and may leave by 4pm. How do I apply? Counselor-in-Training applications are on our website at chippewanaturecenter.org/events-programs/nature-daycamp. You may also jkirts@chippewanaturecenter. org or call to request that we mail one to you. Applications are due no later than Friday, April 8. Important Fri, April 8: CIT Applications Due Sat, April 30: New CIT Orientation from 10am-12pm Sat, June 4: CIT Training from 9am-12:30pm Full-Day Camps 2 weeks 7

10 8Adventure Trips South Manitou year olds Island Adventure $330 ($264 for CNC Members) June August 1-5 Sessions begin at 9:30am Monday and end at 6pm Friday. Please note: Weather delays can occasionally result in the ferry returning up to 24 hours late. This island adventure is sure to be the highlight of your summer. After spending Monday night camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore,we will take the ferry to South Manitou Island. There we ll set up base camp from which we will explore the rest of the island. The days will be filled with fun and adventure as the group discovers abandoned farmsteads, giant sand dunes, and awesome sunsets. Teambuilding, natural art, games, and other activities will help round out the days. Backpacking year olds Pictured Rocks $525 ($420 for CNC Members) July Session begins 9:30am Tuesday, July 19 and ends 6pm, Wednesday, July 27 On this extended backpacking trip you will have the opportunity to spend seven days exploring the beauty of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We will travel through the backcountry enjoying vistas of Lake Superior, finding waterfalls, and exploring beaches. We ll enjoy new friendships, learn new skills, and gain confidence as we successfully complete our route. The first day of this trip will include teambuilding, planning, and organizing for the trip. Join us for this amazing adventure, perhaps we will catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing over Lake Superior. North Manitou Island Backpacking $330 ($264 for CNC Members) July year olds Session begins at 9:30am Monday & ends 6pm Friday. Please note: Weather delays can occasionally result in the ferry returning up to 24 hours late. If you loved South Manitou Island, but are ready for more, this is the trip for you. After spending Monday night camping on the mainland, we ll head to the island on Tuesday. Each day we ll backpack to a different part of the island, playing games, exploring, and enjoying what nature has to offer. This beautiful island has miles of shoreline, dunes, forests, meadows, and two inland lakes. Canoeing the Big Manistee year olds $330 ($264 for CNC Members) June 27-July 1 Session begins 9:30am Monday & ends 4pm Friday Join us for an amazing trip down the Big Manistee River. On Monday we ll head north and camp on the river bank before hopping into our canoes Tuesday morning. Each day we ll paddle downriver, stopping at a different spot each night. With lots of wildlife and excellent fishing, there will be plenty of time for exploration and fun. You ll learn teamwork and communication skills while gaining a sense of accomplishment as we travel downriver each day. (989) A note about adventure trips... Each adventure trip is designed to take campers into the backcountry of Michigan where they will experience the natural wonders of our beautiful state. Adventure camps are staffed by trip leaders who have experience backpacking and canoeing. They are passionate about teaching campers respectful ways of enjoying the natural world and opening campers eyes to their own abilities and strengths. Trip leaders are trained in First Aid and CPR, and at least one is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and Lifeguard. Backpacks and all group gear (including tents, cookware, water filters, and food) will be provided. Campers will be responsible for their own clothing, footwear, sleeping bags, personal utensils, and toiletries. A packing list as well as suggestions for preparing physically for the trip will be provided. No previous backpacking experience is needed, but campers should be in good physical condition, have a positive attitude, and want to learn wilderness skills.

11 Online registration begins Tuesday, April 5 at 8am Information Needed for Registration User ID - If you are a CNC member or have registered for camps or other programs, you have a user ID. Using your assigned ID will ensure you receive your member discount and that our records stay up to date and accurate. If you are don't know your user ID please call us at Camper Information - The following information will be required to complete registration: Camper's birthdate Camper's t-shirt size (Youth 2-4, Youth 6-8, Youth 10-12, Youth 14-16, Adult S, M, L, or XL) Contact information (phone, , address) Registration Instructions Go to and click on the Nature Day Camp slider on the homepage or go to Event and Programs and choose Nature Day Camp. Once on the Nature Day Camp page, you will find detailed instructions for online reigstration as well as a link to the registration page. Registration begins at 8am on Tuesday, April 5. Member Discount Chippewa Nature Center members receive a 20% discount for Nature Day Camp. You must log in using your assigned User ID in order to receive your discount. Cancellation Policy There is a $10 fee for each registration cancelled prior to June 1. Cancellations after June 1 will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations less than 7 days prior to the start of the session will receive no refund. There is a $10 fee for switching sessions unless it is due to a waitlist opening. You must call us at to receive a refund, it is not automatically credited through the online system. Health Form The health form is online and may be completed during the registration process OR you may come back to it at another time. Completed health forms are required for each camper. Once you begin the form, you must complete it. You may not save it and return to it later. Campers with Health Concerns or Special Needs We strive to provide a positive experience for all campers. We are able to accommodate children with most health concerns (allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc.) and many other special needs. Our ability to accommodate children depends on their needs, our staff availability, and the program the child is interested in attending. We strive to give each child an excellent outdoor experience, so please contact Jenn Kirts, Day Camp Director, prior to registering to discuss the needs of your child. Being prepared to serve campers who need a little extra attention or assistance allows us to provide an even better experience for your child. Our Staff Nature Day Camp staff are selected based on experience, maturity, and dedication to our mission of connecting kids to nature through positive outdoor experiences. All staff are screened with a background check, sex-offender registry check, central registry clearance (for child abuse/neglect), and a driving record check. Each staff member is certified in First Aid and CPR and has participated in Nature Day Camp Staff Training. We hope you will find our staff to be committed to providing an outstanding experience for your child. Camp Memories Each camper receives a camp t-shirt on Monday and a certificate celebrating the completion of their session. Registration Procedures Wait List If the session you wish to register for is full, we encourage you to place your child on a wait list for that session. Should a spot become available, you will receive an notifying you of the opening. You will have 48 hours to make a payment and therefore reserve and confirm your child's spot in the session. 9

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