SUMMER NATURE DAY CAMP

Click here to see some of the children's impressions of last year's camp!

Come explore with us and make all kinds of wonderful natural discoveries.

Summer 2007

	AGES 4 & 5 Bugs ‘n Butterflies Week July 9 to 13 Explore the wonders of insects with a fascinating week full of facts, fun, games stories, and crafts.  Learn how butterflies migrate, watch dragonflies dance on the river, investigate where insects fit into the food web and create a bug to take home! Birds July 16 to 20 Discover the amazing world of birds.  Children will learn about basic bird identification, bird song and bird behavior.
	AGES 6 & 7 Reptiles & Amphibians Week July 23 to 27 Discover who makes the wetlands of the Passaic River floodplain home.  Survival in the wetland isn’t easy; learn how to find frogs, salamanders, snakes and turtles while they do all they can to hide and escape.  Also learn their value to the environment. Birds July 30 to August 3 Birds can move pretty fast.  Take a hike in our wetlands to learn how “birders” use bird call and nest identification to learn more about our feathered friends.  Also learn how birds fly, why they migrate and how they collect their food.
	AGES 8 & 9 - JUNIOR NATURALISTS For each of the following weeks, junior naturalist campers will be involved in experiences that explore the Passaic Watershed.  They will learn about the animals and plants that live in the watershed as well as find out where the Passaic River starts and ends.  There will be one offsite field trip. Choose one of the following weeks: August 6 to 10 August 13 to 17

The Summer Nature Day Camp is a cooperative program between NJ Audubon Society and the Essex County Environmental Center.

Fees:

For ages 4 & 5 and 6 & 7

• $120 per child per week.  Children may be signed up for one or two weeks in their age group. 
  Scholarships are available for families in need through the Bill Brach Scholarship Fund. Contact NJ Audubon Society Dept. of Education for more information on eligibility - 609-861-0700 or education@njaudubon.org

• $85 per child per week if you are a member of the NJ Audubon Society.  You must provide proof of membership.  Contact NJ Audubon Society at 908-204-8998 for membership information.

For ages 8 & 9

• $160 per child per week.  Children may be signed up for one or two weeks in their age group. 
  Scholarships are available for families in need through the Bill Brach Scholarship Fund. Contact NJ Audubon Society Dept. of Education for more information on eligibility - 609-861-0700 or education@njaudubon.org

• $125 per child per week if you are a member of the NJ Audubon Society.  You must provide proof of membership.  Contact NJ Audubon Society at 908-204-8998 for membership information.

Pre-registration and advance payment required for camp through the Essex County Environmental Center.  Call 973-228-8776 for more information and/or to register.  Please make checks payable to “Essex County Parks System”; cash, and money orders are also accepted. 

Length and Setting:

• All camps run Monday through Friday.  For children ages 4 & 5 and 6 & 7, they begin at 1:00 and end at 4:00. 
  For ages 8 & 9 they begin at 1:00 and end at 5:00.   
• Children will be required to be signed in and out at the ECEC front desk each day.
• The Essex County Environmental Center is a facility of the Essex County Parks System and is located in West Essex Park.  The grounds include approximately one mile of trails, a raised boardwalk, and a wooded wetland habitat with access to the Upper Passaic River. 
• Weather permitting, all children will be expected to explore the outdoors.  Upon registration each child will receive an information packet detailing what they can expect and how to prepare for camp.