Courtesy of VINS
These campers have their faces painted and are ready for nature adventures!
QUECHEE — The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) 2016 Summer Nature Camp schedule is online and open for registration. With limited availability, planning ahead is the best way to secure a place for your children in these fun and educational programs, in which they’ll have a chance to spend a week immersed in hands-on nature adventures.
Beginning July 25, VINS will offer two new overnight camps at VINS’ Old Pepper Place Nature Reserve in Washington, Vt. Located on 325 acres of diverse wetlands, forest and fields, each overnight camp will run for one week. The first session will focus on outdoor survival skills and human interaction with nature, whereas the second will involve a field study expedition that hones campers’ research skills while developing an appreciation for biological diversity and natural ecosystems.
Nature Camps for children in pre-kindergarten through grade eight are currently available at five locations in Vermont and New Hampshire: VINS Nature Center in Quechee, Vt.; ArtisTree Community Arts Center and Gallery in South Pomfret, Vt. (formerly Purple Crayon Productions in Woodstock); Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction, Vt.; VINS’ Old Pepper Place Nature Reserve in Washington, Vt.; and Storr’s Pond Recreation Area in Hanover, N.H. All sessions will provide campers with the opportunity to explore nature through interactive activities and outdoor investigations.
Many camp sessions, like those below, will fill quickly, so sign up early to secure enrollment for your children:
“Survival Adventures” provides a great opportunity for young outdoor enthusiasts to build proficiency in basic self-reliance and teamwork skills in a fun environment.
“Advanced SOAR” gives campers the opportunity to delve deeply into the world of raptors, a special camp theme only available at the VINS Nature Center.
“Natural History Mysteries” fills the day with diverse themes, eco-quests, and scavenger hunts through the forest—campers will become nature detectives and solve a natural history mystery every day.
And through swimming, play, and nature discovery, campers in “Water, Water Everywhere” will explore a variety of wetland habitats and learn how plants and animals have adapted to a world where water truly is everywhere.
VINS believes all children should have the opportunity to experience VINS Nature Camp, and therefore provides camp scholarships to families in need of support. If you would like your children to experience the joy of outdoor exploration and discovery that VINS’ camp programs offer, but the cost does not suit your budget, please inquire about these discounts. Scholarships for the 2016 camp season have been made possible through the generosity of the Horne Family Foundation and the Thomas Anthony Pappas Foundation.
For more info, online registration, or to download a scholarship application, visit www.vinsweb.org or call 802-359-5000, ext. 223.
