YWCA Summer ~ Kids Nature Kamp

 “Making New Friends, Creating New Experiences,

Enjoying the Outdoors, and Getting Closer to Nature!”

The YWCA Kids Nature Kamp is a specialized camp that has an environmental education focus but still includes all the fun a summer day camp can offer.  Our State licensed program is safe, exciting and run by highly qualified staff. Each week there is an environmental themed curriculum taught by Naturalists & an exciting related field trip. 

Week 1                                                                     6/13/11-6/17/11

Leaf me alone! Tall, Tangled, Terrific Trees

Wood you be my friend? Trees surround us, why?  What do trees do for us—and what do we do for them?  What kind of tree is that anyway?  Learn to reuse paper products by creating new paper and recycled creations.  We will be making a journal.  We will become tree detectives, identifying trees, finding out about their parts, and defining what each part of the tree is.  Aren’t houses made of wood?  What can you build?

Week 2                                                                    6/20/11-6/24/11

 The River is the Reason

Campers will be immersed in the world of the Root River! They will learn how to identify the plants and wildlife that call it home. Each age will explore exciting ways to use water more efficiently through games and hands-on experiments. Campers will discover the science of water chemistry,examine the quality of the Root River, and join in a shore-based river cleanup as they become good stewards of the river.

Week 3                                                                    6/27/11-7/1/11 

Bats, Birds, and Things with Wings

During our third week, campers will learn how birds, bats and insects dive and swoop through the air like acrobats, and catch and observe creatures in flight. They will answer the question, “What makes a dragonfly different than a damsel fly?” They will experience hands-on activities that focus on discovering the fascinating and diverse world of creatures that fly sky high.

Week 4                                                                    7/5/11-7/8/11

Gross-ology

* no camp Monday*  Eww, Yuck! Camper’s beware, we are facing our fears! What lurks beneath the mud? What skims across the water? What slithers under the surface? What splashes into this fun week of muck? Join us for a week of Slime, slugs, snakes, and scat.  We will be learning about the importance and uses of the things we find gross!

Week 5                                                                    7/11/11-7/15/11

Mysteries, Maps, & Riddles …

Nature Navigation

Just WHERE are we? Learn the joy of discovery as we find out how to navigate by maps. Neighborhood maps, world maps, state maps, even grocery store maps show us how to get around. A scavenger hunt is sure to be a part of the fun! You will be able to find your way through River Bend Nature Center!

Week 6                                                                    7/18/11-7/22/11

Wisconsin Wonders

Love the state you live in!- That’s what campers will do this week. What’s your favorite Wisconsin food? We will focus on all the elements that make Wisconsin great, from the cheese to the sports teams, to our wildlife and our people. The perfect camp for a true Wisconsinite!

Week 7                                                                    7/25/11-07/29/11

Wacky Weather

Tornadoes, thunderstorms, blizzards, and hurricanes. What’s going on here? From old wives tales to today’s most accurate meteorological  equipment there are many ways to predict the weather. Why can’t they get it right every time? Find out who has the worst weather in the world.

Week 8                                                                    8/1/11-08/5/11

Wet, Wild ‘n Muddy Fun              

Be prepared to get wet and muddy as we do some pond scooping, catching frogs, some canoeing, and other activities in our wetlands. How do animals stay on top of the water? Can you? Find out when we round this camp out with a visit to a water park!

Week 9                                                                    8/8/11-8/17/11     

Endangered & Amazing Animals

There are many amazing creatures in our world from the African continent to the Arctic wilderness. What adaptations allow them to live in such frigid or hot and humid extremes? How have humans impacted their existence? Why should we care and what can we do to help them continue to exist? Be careful, you just might go home with a new favorite species!

Week 10                                                                   8/15/11-8/19/11

Outdoor Adventures & Fitness Fun!

‘Survivor’ has nothing on this! Now that we know how to follow a map, build on those outdoor skills. Join us for a week packed with adventures that focus on surviving nature’s elements and enjoying the fun of the outdoors. Campers will learn to build campfires, create outdoor shelters, learn to pitch a tent, canoe the river, and more.  Take advantage of River Bend’s beautiful outdoor space by getting active! Who needs exercise anyway? You do! Outdoor games and fitness challenges highlight this week of movement and exercise fun.

Week 11                                                                    8/22/11-8/26/11

Legends of the Earth—Earthkeepers

We will finish our summer of fun by learning how we are an important part of the life cycle. What do we give to the earth and what does she give to us? Join us in discovering this  important connection and make a pledge to carry with you the rest of your life!