Summer Camp 2008

Summer Camp 2008

BACKpack Camp: Now with three age groups to help enrich
each Camper’s experience with appropriate activities and materials!

Bartlett Camp

Saplings: Ages 4-5
Bartlett Explorers: Ages 6-8
Bartlett Rangers: Ages 9-11

Saplings

A half-day program for 4 & 5 year olds
9am-12pm with optional lunch bunch until 1pm

Step into Summer Week 1

Throughout this week campers will learn all about the habitats at the Bartlett; including but not limited to wetlands, ponds, fields and forests. Additionally, non-native habitats from around the world such as deserts and rainforests will be examined. Each day, campers will learn about which plants and animals favor certain habitats and why. This is a great first week to learn all about our grounds in a fun and creative environment!

Backyard Gardens Week 2

This week will take a look at many of the plants and animals that campers see in their gardens at home both pollinators and decomposers alike! Campers will examine some of our friends without a backbone along with native wildflowers and the wonderful world of seeds.

Feathered Flight Week 3

Connecticut’s fields, forests and wetlands play host to wonderful native and seasonal birds. Campers will learn all about our feathered friends that spend their summer in local natural areas. We will examine flight, nests, eggs and migration giving your child a great introduction into the world of birds and flight.

Sense of Adventure Week 4

During this week campers will use their 5 senses to explore nature inside and outside. They will also have the opportunity to create their own tools for exploring nature. Hands on art activities every day, along with nature walks in which campers will use each of their senses to learn about the world around us.

Earth Keepers Week 5

Campers will learn about the hundreds of simple things we can do to keep our natural world thriving!!! From composting to recycling, saving water, or starting your own garden. This week all art activities, stories, games and nature walks will be approached in an eco-friendly manner. Each camper will leave with a wealth of resources on how to live a little bit “greener.”

Backpacker

Bartlett Explorers for ages 6-8
Bartlett Rangers for ages 9-11

Storming Through Summer Week 1

The forces of weather are incredible sights as well as profound influences on plants and animals. Campers will investigate acid rain and its effect on plant growth, as well as participate in ongoing research.

Rock On! Week 2

Geology isn’t just about rocks anymore! Campers investigate the different soil types and the plants they support. We will also look at very special rocks that include fossils and even petrified wood.

Interesting Insects Week 3

Campers spend the week exploring the most populous inhabitants of our earth, insects. Found everywhere, campers encounter both the enemies of our garden and the insects who keep them under control. Daily bug patrol in the vegetable garden always finds something new.

Animals Wild! Week 4

From fuzzy rabbits to wet frogs, animals occupy every niche of habitat throughout the Bartlett’s 91 acres. Our daily excursions will reveal where some of these animals call home and introduce some common mammal tracking techniques. Of course we will search for the elusive spotted salamanders!

Natural Heroes Week 5

Let’s learn about the super heroes of today, they are some of the coolest plants and animals alive! These plants and animals have survived through the millennia virtually unchanged. Be it our fossil tree, giant tree ferns, or Madagascar giant hissing cockroaches these natural heroes can teach us a thing or two about survival.

Growing Gardeners for ages 6-10

Help introduce your child to gardening with our new Growing Gardeners program! Each child will be given their own plot to tend for the summer within our protected garden area and they will participate twice weekly in organized gardening activities. Starting with an introduction to composting and soil, through to harvesting their own herbs and vegetables, our gardeners will be given the information and tools to yield a “bumper crop”. Going on vacation? No worries, we’ll tend the plot while you’re away. Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5-7PM

Nature’s Ambassadors for ages 9-12

As Ambassadors, older children get a chance to become young scientists as they spend 4 days delving into a nature/environment topic of their own choosing—researching, observing, experimenting, and recording their data under guidance from our staff. On Saturday, they will showcase their results and new knowledge to parents and friends at their own science fair! July 29-Aug 2 (Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri, and Sat)

Environmental Enthusiasts

Can’t get enough of nature and the outdoors? Late in the summer the Bartlett is still the place to be for children who are enthusiastic about the environment. Our special days will investigate deeper into topics that excite children. Last year our Pond Ecology and Nature Chemists topics were such a huge hit we have expanded them to two days each!

Schedule for 2008

Camp:

Nature’s Ambassadors:

July 29-August 1, $300

Growing Gardeners:

June 24-August 26, $200

Environmental Enthusiasts

$60 per day—Registration is Limited

Call (203) 322-6971 for more information.