DAY OFF CAMPS AT IRVINE
YOUR CHILD WILL LOVE SPENDING THEIR DAY OFF FROM SCHOOL WITH IRVINE’S AWARD-WINNING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS FOR A DAY OF EXPLORATION AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITY!
Participants will be inspired to explore nature as they are led through a day filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts, and more. Irvine Nature Center’s Day Camps are a great option for working families. Drop your child off for a day of nature and fun… while you’re at work getting the job done!
Ages: 5 – 12 years old
Dates: September 15, September 25, October 20, November 13, January 15, February 9, February 19, March 25, April 10
Time: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Price: $110 per day (member* discounts apply – Pacesetter Level and above)
Interested in participating in all 9 Day Off Camps? Sign up for the series and SAVE! Register by September 14 to get 9 camps for the price of 8!
*Not a member? Join and save! LEARN MORE
Questions? Contact Laura Ferrara at 443-738-9215 or FerraraL@ExploreNature.org
DAY OFF CAMP DESCRIPTIONS 2023-24:
Friday, September 15, 2023 – Natural Artisans
Do you have a love of nature, science, and art? Spend your day combining them all! We will hike to find our own natural objects to create amazing works of art, while investigating our own love of science. Our resident animal ambassadors love art too and will show off their artistic skills. If you want to put yourself to the test of becoming a natural artisan, join us at Irvine!
Monday, September 25, 2023 – What’s Cooking?
This Day Off Camp is for anyone who has a love for cooking and the outdoors. This program offers young gardeners and chefs the opportunity to engage in the process of harvesting, preparing, sharing, and celebrating local foods. From seasonal foraging of edible plants on Irvine’s property to local farms’ fall bounty, children will practice knife skills, food preparation, sustainability, and recipe taste testing.
Friday, October 20, 2023 – Indigenous Peoples of the Chesapeake
In celebration of Indigenous People’s Day, we will commemorate the Native American tribes of the Eastern Woodlands for all they have taught us about connecting with the environment and using our natural resources sustainably. We will hike to Irvine’s Native American Site where children will get an insider look at Longhouse and Wigwam replicas that pre-colonial Native American tribes would have lived in. Participants will develop a respect for Native American culture as they learn about tool use, clothing, food, fire-making methods, and even games that are different than we see in today’s world.
Monday, November 13, 2023 – Animal Caretakers
If your child wants to be a veterinarian, zookeeper, park ranger, or just loves getting up close with animals, they will love this camp! Our animal care professionals will provide campers with hands-on experience feeding, caring for, and training the many species of injured and imprinted animals that we house at Irvine!
Monday, January 15, 2024 – Winter Wonderland
One can only marvel at the abundance of natural wonders during an Irvine winter. In this Day Off Camp, we will be taking a closer look at the often-unnoticed beauty that our coldest season has to offer. Participants will take to the trails to search for signs of wildlife as they hike down to see some of Irvine’s picturesque streams and ponds in a frozen state. After some icy experiments and games, we’ll warm up with some hot cocoa by the fire before returning to warmth at the Nature Center to finish the day with some winter themed crafts.
Friday, February 9, 2024 – Wilderness Survival
What would you do if you got lost in the woods? In the Wilderness Survival Day Off Camp, children will learn outdoor survival skills that can keep them safe in the event that they ever find that they have lost their way. Students will learn how to properly pack for an outdoor excursion so that they are prepared for different conditions and scenarios that may arise. They will learn skills such as basic navigation and map reading, shelter building, fire building and safety, water collection and filtering, and how to use the resources around them to help them survive.
Monday, February 19, 2024 – Maple Magic
Maple syrup season is one of our favorite times of the year here at Irvine, and we hope your child will join us for a close up look at the process of collecting maple sap and turning it into the delicious syrup we all know and love! Participants will hike through our trails to visit our tapped trees and learn how the process has changed over time. We will visit the Barn to observe the process of sap changing to syrup as we enjoy some delicious treats by the fire!
Monday, April 1, 2024 – Awesome Amphibians
Do you know the difference between a frog and a toad? What sets amphibians apart from reptiles? Find out as we explore Irvine’s wetlands for frogs, toads, and salamanders and learn why they make their homes here. We will even meet some of our ambassador amphibians up close and practice our identification skills by sight and sound!
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 – Sustainability Stewards
To commemorate Earth Day, we want to bring our youth together to explore different topics regarding environmental stewardship and the impact each of us has on the Earth. Participants will spend the day learning sustainable strategies that can be practiced in daily life through hands-on activities and games. Our program will last for 7 hours, but we hope the values it will instill last a lifetime.
