For children ages 3 to 6

Children must be 3 years old by January 1, 2025

Week 1:  In The Garden (6/23-6/27)

We center the first week of camp around the new sensory garden at the Darien Nature Center. Making the connection between nature and our food is an essential first step on a sustainability journey. Campers will learn about seeds, plant life cycles, pollinators, composting, and the joy of growing food. Making applesauce, salads for the animals, and other farm-to-table activities will give campers an appreciation for the planet that feeds us.

Week 2:  Rocks and Fossils (6/30-7/3*)

Kids are fascinated by rocks and fossils, and using our impressive collection, we will uncover what life on our planet was like a long time ago. Our rock study will include how rocks formed, geological time, minerals, and erosion. We will also examine fossils and explore the secrets they reveal about the past. It's a week of unique learning opportunities that will leave your children excited and intrigued and you, as a parent, thrilled about the educational value of our camp. 

Week 3: Nature Detectives (7/7-7/11)

Who was here? What made that sound? What stinks? Campers will use all their senses and observation skills to understand local wildlife and habitats through tracks, traces, sounds, scat, and animal homes. This week will pique our campers' curiosity as they can ask questions, and our educators will guide them to find the answers.

Week 4: Animal Kingdom (7/14-7/18)

Millions of animals are on Earth, and scientists group them based on similar characteristics. In this session, campers will learn about mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians, what makes each unique, and how they are similar. We will spend lots of time with our animal ambassadors and learn about their place in the world.

Week 5: Outer Space (7/21-7/25)

What is the universe? How does planet Earth fit in? Campers will investigate the mysteries of the night sky, including our Milky Way galaxy, black holes, the moon, and our solar system. We will also focus on what makes our beautiful planet so special. It's guaranteed to be an out-of-this-world week!

Week 6: Our Blue Planet (7/28-8/1)

Planet Earth is 71% water, and 93% is in the oceans. What is a watershed? What critters live in our pond, and what is a food web? How do humans harm and help water? Campers will scoop in Cherry Lawn Pond, learn to identify the pond's critters, conduct experiments, and learn firsthand how human activity can affect water quality. 

Week 7: We Dig Dirt (8/4-8/8)

In our last week of summer camp, we will get our hands dirty and investigate the magic of soil! Without soil, the Earth would not survive! It provides a place for plants to grow, covers the Earth, and is a home for many animals and other living things. What is it made of, and how is it formed? We will investigate the connections between decomposers, mushrooms, and bugs and how soil improves our world.

Eco Explorers

For children ages 7 - 10

Children must be 7 years old by June 23, 2025

We are exploring the option of our Eco Explorers visiting a local park to enrich their camp experience. Specific details will be posted soon!

Week 1: Trailblazers! (6/23-6/27)

We will chart our own course as we learn mapping and orienteering skills. Using a map and compass, campers will navigate their way through a week of fun with games, team-building activities, and ways to blaze their own path without electronics! Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, animal encounters, nature art, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.

Week 2:  Out in the Wild (6/30-7/3*)

Campers will learn survival skills such as fire building, outdoor cooking, shelter construction, knot tying, and basic orienteering. This week will include a special evening campfire and night hike program on Wednesday, July 2. Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, animal encounters, nature art, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.

Week 3:  Sunshine and Soil: Growing Food (7/7-7/11) 

In week 3, campers will become gardeners as they learn about the connection that takes a seed to a plant to our plate and then to the compost heap to return to the soil. Eco-Explorers will get their hands dirty in our new sensory garden growing food, cooking over a fire, learning about the vital role of pollinators, and composting. We will make salads for our animal ambassadors and begin to understand

how nature feeds all living things. Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, animal encounters, nature art,

science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.  

Week 4: Nature Art (7/14-7/18)

Campers will tap into their creativity to make art from the materials and inspiration we find on our hikes. They will use nature and all things whimsical to make fairy houses, toad huts, nature mandalas, and more. Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, animal encounters, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.  

Week 5: Geology Rocks (7/21-7/25) 

Campers will investigate the planet through the lens of a geologist.

We will explore questions like: What are the three types of rocks, and how are they formed? What is a fossil? What clues does geology

give us to life on this planet millions of years ago? If your child is interested in rocks, fossils, and the prehistoric planet, this week is

for them! Additional activities will include exploring the stream

and pond, animal encounters, nature art, science experiments,

water play, and cooperative games.  

 
Week 6: Creek Critters (7/28-8/1)

During this week, Eco-Explorers will spend a lot of time exploring the stream and pond in search of critters that make these waters their home. Campers will learn about food webs, freshwater invertebrates, and amphibians and enjoy a lot of time at the stream! Additional activities will include animal encounters, nature art, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.

Week 7: Animal Kingdom (8/4-8/8)

Campers will learn about animal habitats, behavior, and how science groups the animal kingdom while exploring Cherry Lawn Park’s forest and pond habitats for Connecticut wildlife. Eco-Explorers will also learn to care for our fascinating and friendly resident animals by feeding, cleaning, health tracking, and designing enrichment toys. Additional activities will include exploring the stream and pond, nature art, science experiments, water play, and cooperative games.