Parents! Are you searching for a way to keep your children engaged in fun community projects while learning new ways to care for the environment that surrounds them?
Well we have the answer for you...Youth Group Summer Camp at Calusa!
| 2010 Camp Registration Form | Important Information for Parents | 2010 Summer Camp Descriptions | 2010 Summer Camp Lunch Order Form |
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About Summer Camp 2010
Our summer camp programs are designed to foster an appreciation of the natural world and to encourage interest and wonder. Each session will involve lots of outside activities, games, crafts, experiments, stories, and live animal presentations, along with a lot of just plain fun. Each camper will have the opportunity to hike all of our trails and see a Planetarium show. Daily camp schedules are available for your review upon request. All curricula have been updated for Summer 2010.
June 16-18:
Don’t Bug Me! Grades-K-3rd All 5-year-olds must have completed Kindergarten.
Get to know the little creepy crawlies around you. During this exciting week we will meet many insects up-close, make our own insects, and go on six-legged safaris at the Nature Center. $90 members and $70 non-members. Limit 25 children.
Small and Spineless Grades-4th-7th
Discover the difference between arachnids and insects and learn about other arthropods. We will search the woods for insects, learn how to classify them, and build some insects of our own. $90 members and $70 non-members. Limit 25 Children.
June 21-25:
Backyard Explorers Ages 4-5
This program for little ones is just like big kids’ camp — but not quite as long. Campers will get to know the great outdoors through games, crafts, and nature exploration. Daily themes may include: 1-2-3 Lift-Off!; Bees & Trees; Furry Friends; Birds of a Feather; and See You Later, Alligator. Mid-morning snack provided. Parents welcome to stay with camp. Limit 20. $75 non-members, $65 members.
Nature Detectives-Tracking Wildlife Grades-K-3rd All 5-year-olds must have completed Kindergarten.
Just because animals are hard to see, doesn’t mean they aren’t there! Animals leave many clues behind: shelters and nests, tracks, feathers, or even scat! Learn different ways animals construct their homes, search for clues of wildlife on the trails, and even make critter shelters of your own! Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
Outdoor Adventurers Grades-4th-7th
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to survive in the wild? Come find out how to in this fun week of camp! Learn how to identify Florida’s poisonous animals and plants, practice safety during dangerous weather, and learn how to find your way using a map and compass. Campers will create shelters out of leaves and branches; learn how to cook using the sun, and other useful skills! Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
June 28-July 2:
Wacky, Wild and Weird Grades-K-3rd All 5-year-olds must have completed Kindergarten.
Enter the wondrous, wacky, and just plain weird world of Southwest Florida’s wildlife! From owls to bobcats, leeches to lizards, come learn about the strange things animals sometimes do for survival as we explore the woods for local critters, learn how to track animals, and experiment with slime! Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
Animal Grossology Grades 4th-7th
What makes a skunk stink? Why do vultures vomit? Just what is spider spit used for? Spend the week learning about the fascinating—and gross—things that animals do to survive. Meet some creepy crawlies up close, make your own slime, and even eat some Bugs for Lunch! Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
July 5-9:
Superhero Animals Grades K-3rd All 5-year-olds must have completed Kindergarten.
How does a gopher tortoise help fight fires? Why does a crab spider change colors? How fast can a cheetah run? Spend the week exploring these amazing animal adaptations, meet some animals up-close, and come on Friday dressed as your favorite superhero! Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
NEW! Transformers-Critters is Disguise Grades 4th-7th
How and why does a chameleon change colors? How far can a flying squirrel fly? How do alligators and gopher tortoises help other animals survive droughts and forest fires? Spend the week exploring these amazing animal adaptations, through up-close animal encounters, experiments, games, and come on Friday dressed as your favorite superhero or create your own! Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
July 12-16:
Winged Wonders Grades K-3rd All 5-year-olds must have completed Kindergarten.
Is it a plane? Is it an eagle? Is it a spaceship? Come spend the week discovering all things with wings! See a planetarium show, launch a rocket, and meet some winged wonders up close. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
Clear For Take Off Grades 4th-7th
3, 2, 1, blast off! How high can an eagle fly? How many wings does a butterfly have? How fast can a space shuttle go? Learn all about birds, bugs, bats, space shuttles, satellites, and the space station too! See a planetarium show, launch a rocket, and meet some winged wonders up close. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
Become a Junior Naturalist –Session 1 Grades 8th-12th
What would it be like to work at the Nature Center? You’ll learn how we care for our animals and assist with creating enrichment activities for our animals. Successful completion of this camp makes you eligible to enroll in our Volunteer Junior Naturalist Program. Call for more details. Limit15. $150 non-members, $130 members.
July 19-23:
NEW! Nature Senses-Pre K Camp Ages 4 – 5
This program for little ones is just like big kids’ camp — but not quite as long. During this ½ day camp, campers will learn how animals survive in the wild by learning about and using their 5 senses. See like a shark, smell like a fox, touch like a raccoon, taste like a butterfly, and hear like a dear. Children will participate in activities, crafts, games and even meet some animals and their senses up close! Mid-morning snack provided. Parents welcome to stay with camp. Limit 20. $75 non-members, $65 members.
NEW! Films in the Forest Grades K-3rd
What kind of fish is Nemo? What kinds of animals live in the Jungle? Can penguins really dance? Learn the answers to these questions and more as we spend the week watching nature movies and learn about the fascinating animals in them. Although this camp consists of daily movies it also includes games, crafts, experiments, and live animal encounters. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
Reel Nature Grades 4th-7th
Where is Madagascar and what animals really live there? Where do burrowing owls live and why are they endangered? How many lions live in a pride? Learn the answers to these questions and more as we watch movies and learn about the fascinating animals in them. Although this camp consists of daily movies it also includes games, crafts, experiments, and live animal encounters. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
July 26-30:
Wild About Water Grades K-3rd All 5-year-olds must have completed Kindergarten.
What better way to spend the summer than up to your knees in the swamp? We’ll spend the week diving into the aquatic world to find out how fish sleep, why crayfish swim backwards, and how water striders can walk on water. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
Water You Doing? Grades 4th-7th
Why would any plant or animal want to live in the Cypress Swamp? How does water flow in Southwest Florida? Why should people care about swamps and other wetlands? Come meet some swamp residents, play lots of games, and get your feet wet in our swamp. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
August 2-6:
Reptiles – a Rough Bunch Grades K-3rd All 5-year-olds must have completed Kindergarten.
With live animals and indoor/outdoor activities, we’ll learn what life is like for cold-blooded creatures. Alligators, turtles, snakes, lizards, and even some amphibians will spend the week with us. We’ll also look at those reptiles from the past – dinosaurs. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
Happenin’ Herptiles Grades 4th-7th
What’s a herptile? Find out this week at the Nature Center! Meet some of Southwest Florida’s common herps (reptiles and amphibians) and go off-trails in search of those creeping critters. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
Wilderness Survival Grades 8th-12th
The sun is setting, the temperature is dropping, and suddenly you can’t find the trail. Panic sets in as you realize you are lost. What do you do? This one week course will teach the basics in outdoor survival and camping safety. Participants will also view a Planetarium show, learn to identify & eat wild edibles, spend time doing low-ropes challenge course activities, and participate in a real campout at the nature Center. Limit 15. $160 non-members, $140 members
August 9-13:
NEW! Animal Artworks Grades K-3rd
Have you ever finger painted with mud? Made a fish print tee-shirt? Turned a sea shell, rock, or pinecone into an animal? Spend the week exploring nature and art as we use natural and un-natural items to create nature masterpieces! Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members
NEW! Eco-Art Grades 4th-7th
Turn a coconut into an owl, make seashell animals, paint outside with watercolors, make a nature journal, learn to basket weave, make a fish print tee-shirt, and much more this week as we spend it exploring nature through art. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
August 16-20:
Animals Around the World Grades K-3rd
All 5-year-olds must have completed Kindergarten.
Lions, tigers, and polar bears, Oh My! Travel the world in one week learning about the marvelous mammals that roam, swim, and climb all around our planet. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
Continental Critters Grades 4th-7th
Have you ever visited the arctic tundra, been to the rainforest, or toured the desert? Spend the week traveling around the world to learn about all the crazy critters that live all over our continent and beyond. Limit 25. $140 non-members, $120 members.
Become a Junior Naturalist –Session 2 Grades 8th-12th
What would it be like to work at the Nature Center? You’ll learn how we care for our animals and assist with creating enrichment activities for our animals. Successful completion of this camp makes you eligible to enroll in our Volunteer Junior Naturalist Program. Call for more details. Limit 15. $150 non-members, $130 members.
More Info on the Become a Junior Naturalist Program Grades 8th-12th
Limit 15 participants $150 Non-member, $130 Member
Find out what it would be like to work at the Nature Center! Successful completion of this camp completes one of the eligibility requirements for our volunteer Junior Naturalist program. Other requirements include:
-Submitting a completed application (during camp)
-Interviewing with the Education Department
-Successfully completing 20 probationary hours
-Committing to four hours of scheduled volunteering per month to be considered an “active” Jr. Naturalist
The primary goal of Junior Naturalist camp is to train future volunteers. Therefore, participants should expect to work and learn every day of camp. Your child will become familiar with Naturalist duties, including public speaking, exhibit design, care, and maintenance, plant care and maintenance, animal care and handling, and preparing and administering (some) animal diets, just to name a few of the tasks.
Being a Junior Naturalist is a great opportunity to expand one’s knowledge working closely with well-trained mentors, spend time outside, work with animals, meet new people, earn volunteer service hours, and give back to one’s community. The program is also a valuable introduction to careers in the environmental and zoological fields.
To register, choose the Junior Naturalist camp session on the Summer Camp Registration Form and submit the completed registration form with payment to the designated address.
More info on the Wilderness Survival Camp Grades 8th-12th
Limit 15 participants $160 Non-member, $140 Member
Participants will spend the week learning basic survival skills and methods and will have the opportunity to put them to the test when we have a Camp-Out on Friday Night at the Nature Center. Campers will have to provide personal gear such as clothes, sleeping bags, flashlights, and tents if possible. The Nature Center will supply the rest! Please call 275-3435 for more information.
Please Contact Sarah Kraum @ 239-275-3435 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.