2025 Summer Nature Camp at Irvine - digital brochure
Summer Nature Camp at Irvine offers curious children active, outdoor experiences engaging with the natural world. Nature Camp is great for children who are inquisitive, learn best through hands-on experiences, love to have fun – and don’t mind a little mud.
During daily excursions throughout Irvine’s 211 acres, campers are immersed in the sights, sounds, textures, and smells of nature. Each week-long camp session - taking place almost entirely outdoors - features a unique, creative theme, making it fun to return week after week.
Campers will make discoveries, memories, and friendships, while learning about the diverse eco-systems and cool critters that dwell within the Maryland Piedmont. Daily activities include hiking, environmental games, creative arts, animal encounters, mud-making, stream searching, and more!
• ENDLESS FUN:
» Camp days are filled with daily outdoor exploration, including visits to several locations on Irvine’s 211-acre property.
» Every week of nature camp features unique themes that are both age appropriate and filled with new activities – making it a camp children enjoy returning to, week after week.
» Daily agendas are designed by professional educators and experienced naturalists, built around movement, discovery, and fun - and plenty of animal encounters.
• CONNECTION:
» Campers will form friendships, connections with wildlife, and a relationship with the natural world.
» Small group sizes allow for individualized attention, hands-on learning, and a great bonding experience.
• C AMP SCHEDULE:
» June 16 – August 22, 2025: 10 Weeks of Day Camp. Five age groups.
» Schedule:
• Discovery Camp (ages 5&6): 9:00AM-4:00PM
• Explorers Camp (ages 7-9): 9:00AM-4:00PM
• Adventure Camp (ages 10-12): 9:00AM-4:00PM
• Saplings Camp (ages 3&4): 9:00AM-12:00PM
• Summer Little Birds (ages 6 mos.-3): 9:30AM-11:00AM
» Before and After Care - Optional extended hours starting at 8AM and ending at 6PM are available for an additional fee.
» Single Days – Flexibility to attend 1-4 days of your choice during the week of July 4th. Daily themes described on registration portal.
Proud to be a Maryland State-Certified Youth Camp
Each camper will receive a Summer Nature Camp T-shirt.
IRVINE MEMBERS SAVE!
Join now and enjoy a year’s worth of access, program discounts, and savings on NATURE CAMP. An Irvine membership is your passport to amazing nature experiences on Irvine’s 211-acre property. Membership includes free admission year-round for ALL MEMBERS of your household.
» Pacesetter members receive 10% off Summer Nature Camp fees.
» Memberships at the Explorer level and above receive 20% off.
» Plus, a membership at Irvine supports the care of Irvine’s resident animals
NATURE CAMP STAFF
Camp sessions are led by a mix of year-round educators and seasonal camp counselors. These energetic leaders provide a safe, fun, and educational outdoor experience for campers of all ages. All counselors are First Aid and CPR certified, required to pass a background check, and receive training in Early Childhood Education, Maryland Natural History, and more. We are proud to attract the best counselors that inspire kids to explore, respect, and protect nature.
Irvine is a “Peanut-FREE” camp.
Our staff pay special attention to allergies listed in the health forms. However, we DO NOT prohibit other nuts or allergens across-the-board at camp. It is important to note that we travel and use park picnic benches and public areas. We cannot guarantee that a camper will not be exposed to allergens.
Summer Nature Camp at Irvine is supported by the following organizations. We are grateful for their support.
LITTLE BIRDS SUMMER CAMP
AGES 6 MONTHS – 3 YEARS OLD
ACCOMPANIED BY CAREGIVER
Inspired by Irvine’s popular Little Birds classes, LB camp is for the youngest among us, who are also the most naturally curious.
TIME: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
PRICE: $150 PER WEEK
Give your little one the chance to meet new animal friends, create nature crafts, sing songs, and explore outside. Perfect for parents, grandparents, nannies, and other caregivers who are seeking a unique and meaningful experience with the little one in their life. Little Birds Camp is offered during Week 1, Week 2, Week 5, Week 6, Week 9 and Week 10. Each day of this weeklong camp will explore the following nature themes.
MONDAY WILD IN THE WOODS
TUESDAY IN THE GARDEN
WEDNESDAY OVER IN THE MEADOW
THURSDAY DOWN BY THE STREAM
FRIDAY UP IN THE TREETOPS
SAPLINGS SUMMER CAMP
AGES 3-4 YEAR OLDS
Sapling campers must be potty-trained.
TIME: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
PRICE: $260 PER WEEK
(*4-DAY WEEK:$55/DAY OR $208/WEEK)
Plant those roots early; you can never start cultivating an interest in nature too soon! Our half-day Saplings camps introduce the beauty and mysteries to be found in the great outdoors. Curious kids thrive in these camps, as they are hands-on, experiential, and centered around that favorite question “Why?” Saplings Camp is offered during 5 of our 10 weeks of camp and have the following themes:
WEEK 1: JUNE 16-20
SENSING NATURE
In this camp, children will use all their senses to explore nature. We will listen for bird calls, smell flowers, see wildlife, touch interesting plants, and taste sweet berries. Campers will also learn how animals use their different senses to thrive in their natural environments.
*WEEK 3: JUNE 30-JULY 3 (4-DAY WEEK; CLOSED JULY 4)
SPLASH ZONE
Like to get wet? We thought so! Campers will explore aquatic themes and frolic like frogs in the muddy places that amphibians inhabit at Irvine. We’ll also meet many of Irvine’s amphibian ambassadors!
WEEK 5: JULY 14-18
NATURE NUTS
Is your camper excited about the outdoors and ready to be nuts for nature? Is so, they should join us as we try not to get tangled up in the food web and learn to identify the many plants and animals that call Irvine’s woodlands home.
WEEK 7: JULY 28-AUGUST 1
FOREST FAIRYTALES
Does your child love fantastical stories? Do they get lost in a world of imagination? Then this camp is for them! Limited only by their own creativity and the natural resources around them, campers will transform our forest into a wonderland of dragons, fairies, gnomes, unicorns and more!
WEEK 9: AUGUST 11-15
DOODLEBUGS
If animals inspire your budding artist, then join us for a week of creativity! Campers will enjoy nature walks, animal encounters and hands-on discovery, then attempt to express some of the beautiful, weird and funky aspects of wildlife through a variety of art projects.
DISCOVERY SUMMER CAMP
AGES 5-6 YEAR OLDS
TIME: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
PRICE: $475 PER WEEK
(*4-day week:$110/day or $385/week)
Eye-opening revelations await Discovery campers as they will engage in a sensory approach to unearthing many of nature’s secrets. Tactile learners will love investigating by digging in dirt, stomping through streams, and trekking for tracks, all for the sake of observing natural phenomena up close. This age group has a camp offered every week. Choose from ten weekly themes:
WEEK 1: JUNE 16-20
CRAFTY CRITTERS
Come explore nature’s stunning color palette and endless supply of unique media for unleashing your inner artist! Throughout the week campers will create masterpieces out of natural materials, like clay, plant matter, and natural dyes, which abound in the great outdoors if one simply knows where to look!
WEEK 2: JUNE 23-27
GREEN THUMB
While exploring Irvine’s gardens and forests, campers will dig deep to learn all about how plants grow. Get an up-close look at how people and animals use plants for nourishment, shelter, and survival. Campers will even grow a miniature garden of their own to take home!
*WEEK 3: JUNE 30-JULY 3 (4-DAY WEEK; CLOSED JULY 4)
MUDDY BUDDIES
Jump right in as we trek our way into the wetlands and streams in search of wonderful squishy mud and the critters that live within. Campers will get down and dirty as they experience a new outdoor adventure every day!
WEEK 4: JULY 7-11
JOURNEY THROUGH SPACE
Glide through the galaxy and explore how planet Earth is perfectly suited to support life. Learn about our solar system, phases of the moon, gravity, Earth’s atmosphere, and the Sun’s role in photosynthesis. Look into the special features that enable animals to hunt or migrate entirely in the dark; you will feel like a star when you understand the galactic role that astronomy plays in the everyday lives of Earthly creatures.
WEEK 5: JULY 14-18
TRAIL BLAZERS
This camp is for kids who love to explore wild places! We will meander along some of Irvine’s less-traveled trails (perhaps blazing a new one or two) and search the surrounding meadows and forests for interesting plant and animal inhabitants. Campers will use sweep nets, build shelters, ford streams, and taste some delicious woodland treats along the way.
DISCOVERY CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
DISCOVERY SUMMER CAMP
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WEEK 6: JULY 21-25
LAND BEFORE TIME
Go back to a time when pterosaurs filled the sky! Meet some descendants of the ancient dinosaurs and see how they have survived to today. Become a paleontologist and learn how fossils form and what they can tell us about prehistoric life; we’ll even have our very own fossil hunt! Play games, create art, and participate in activities designed to explore trace fossils, geology, and the world of dinosaurs.
WEEK 7: JULY 28-AUGUST 1
ROOKIE RANGERS
Are those eggs from frogs or toads? What bird says, “Who cooks for you all?” Just like park rangers, campers will investigate the evidence of animal activity and discover how plants and animals work together in an ecosystem. Games and other activities will amplify the training of Irvine’s Rookie Rangers!
WEEK 8: AUGUST 4-8
CREATURE FEATURES
Evolution favors characteristics that make an organism more ‘fit’ to survive. Through hands-on exploration of animal artifacts and up-close meet-and-greets with some of our favorite animal ambassadors, students will learn how animals’ adaptations help them obtain food more effectively, avoid predators, and survive under challenging environmental conditions.
WEEK 9: AUGUST 11-15
MESSTIVAL
Celebrate the festival of messes, while exploring nature with lots of hands-on activities! Roll up your sleeves and get elbow deep while enjoying activities like dissecting owl pellets, getting the scoop about animal poop, and even making your own slime!
WEEK 10: AUGUST 18-22
CREEPY CRAWLIES
Grab your magnifying glass and peer into the wonderful world of bugs! How strong is an ant? What are honeybees’ favorite flowers? Where are crickets’ ears located and how do they make those cool chirping sounds? Campers will find the answers to these questions and more in this camp!
EXPLORERS SUMMER CAMP
AGES
7-9
YEAR OLDS
TIME: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
PRICE: $495 PER WEEK
(*4-day week:$110/day or $385/week)
Explorers Camp anincludes program!evening
Children in our Explorers camps will cultivate a deeper understanding of the relationships between wildlife and their natural surroundings. A variety of environmental games, nature crafts, and interactive STEM activities will help illustrate the interconnectedness of the natural world and reinforce ecological concepts we encounter in our daily exploration. Each of these camps features a Thursday evening program. This age group has a camp offered every week. Choose from ten weekly themes:
WEEK 1: JUNE 16-20
SENSATIONAL SENSES
After making their way through some exciting nature-themed sensory stations, students will use all five of their senses to explore the forests, meadows and other habitats surrounding Irvine. They will experience the natural events characteristic of the current season and discover how animals and humans use their senses to learn about the world around them and thrive within it.
WEEK 2: JUNE 23-27
CHILD VS. WILD
This week is all about surviving and thriving outdoors! In between building shelters and fording streams, campers will practice fire safety, learn knot-tying techniques, and hone skills for identifying common plants & animals of the Mid-Atlantic region.
*WEEK 3: JUNE 30-JULY 3 (4-day week; closed July 4th)
HEALTHY HERBALISTS
Did you know that Irvine nurtures a therapeutic herb garden at Wedding Point? In this beautiful new setting, we will cultivate our knowledge of the wondrous plants used to formulate the various ointments, potions, and teas that have been utilized and consumed for centuries. Join an Irvine herbalist and use your five senses to explore various medicinal plants, create your own plant journals and have healthy, mindful explorations—tea tastings included! **Please note the week of June 30 will NOT have a Thursday evening program.
WEEK 4: JULY 7-11
ANIMAL OLYMPICS
Run as fast as a cheetah and jump farther than a bullfrog! Meet Irvine’s amazing animals and learn about their astounding abilities for hunting prey or avoiding becoming it themselves! Campers will participate in challenges and learn new skills, while discovering the unique ‘superpowers’ of many of the creatures that live in our area.
EXPLORERS SUMMER CAMP
CONTINUED
WEEK 5: JULY 14-18
WETLAND WONDERS
Campers will become aquatic ecologists, as they delve into Irvine’s wetland habitats to perform water quality tests and document the biodiversity found in both our ponds and streams. They will analyze their findings to determine the health of each ecosystem, compare the macroinvertebrate communities in each, and learn how these habitats contribute to the overall health of The Chesapeake Bay. This hands-on experience will allow students to realize the impact their local choices can have on our greater environment.
WEEK 6: JULY 21-25
ANIMAL ARCHITECTS
Beavers, birds, and bugs--oh my! All of these animals are incredible engineers. Campers will participate in animal encounters to learn how these natural builders construct their homes. Then we will work together as a team to create our own structures, using the building techniques we’ve learned from the animals themselves!
WEEK 7: JULY 28-AUGUST 1
EARTHLY ELEMENTS
Water, earth, fire, air. Explore our winding creek, dig into the soil, build a roaring fire, and breathe in the fresh air. Campers will experience all of the earth’s finest elements while making memories and enjoying all that Irvine has to offer.
WEEK 8: AUGUST 4-8
LIVING OFF THE LAND
Campers will take a step back in time and learn all about the traditions and lifestyles of Maryland’s pre-colonial Native American tribes. Using Irvine’s replica longhouse, wigwams, and Three Sisters’ Garden as a backdrop, we’ll explore how Native Americans made optimal use of their natural resources to thrive as a community. To gain a genuine understanding of daily life in the Woodland Era, campers will learn about tool use, clothing, hunting and gathering, living structures, fire-making methods, communication and games through hands-on experience at engaging stations.
WEEK 9: AUGUST 11-15
NATURALLY CREATIVE
Budding young artists will really enjoy this blend of creativity and outside activity. Because of their intricate details, wildlife can be among the most challenging—and enjoyable—subjects to draw. Using our Animal Ambassadors as ‘models,’ campers will refine their sketching skills, learn to reproduce details like countershading and camouflage, and practice drawing images in lifelike poses. Children will enjoy making creative memories and masterpieces with these newly learned techniques.
WEEK 10: AUGUST 18-22
NATURE DETECTIVES
Who left those tracks? What animal made that scat? What was munching on these leaves? Campers will truly become detectives as we spend the week scoping out the trails for clues left by the animals. We will also learn how different animals sneak through the forest, find food and water, and spend their time when no one is watching.
ADVENTURE SUMMER CAMP
AGES 10-12 YEAR OLDS
TIME: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
PRICE: $545 PER WEEK
(*4-day week:$110/day or $385/week)
CampAdventurefeatures an excursionoffsiteand campout!
Adventure campers will connect with the great outdoors through exciting, more specialized topics. We use STEM principles, outdoor recreation, and even animal interactions to better understand the natural world. Each of these camps features an offsite excursion AND a campout. Adventure Camp is offered during 5 of our 10 weeks of camp and have the following themes:
WEEK 2: JUNE 23-27
FARM-TO-TABLE
Cook up some fun while traveling through the forest and farmland and discover where our food comes from. Campers will learn how to prepare delicious dishes out of local foods and learn how our eating habits impact the world around us. We’ll explore this concept further in learning how farmers are changing their practices to succeed in our changing climate. Join us on the trails with naturalist led foraging and learn what kind of food you can find in nature! Camp includes a Tuesday field trip and Thursday night camp out.
*WEEK 3: JUNE 30-JULY 3 (4-day week; closed July 4th)
ANIMAL CARETAKERS
If your child wants to be a veterinarian, zookeeper, or park ranger, then 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! **Please note the week of June 30 will NOT have a camp out or field trip.
WEEK 4: JULY 7-11
ANIMAL ART
Connect with nature, sharpen your observation skills, and learn to use a variety of media from charcoal to acrylic paints. While interacting with a different animal each day, campers will learn drawing and painting tips and tricks for capturing special moments in nature. Camp includes a Tuesday field trip and Thursday night camp out to explore nature in different light.
WEEK 6: JULY 21-25
ANIMAL CARETAKERS
If your child wants to be a veterinarian, zookeeper, or park ranger, then 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! An offsite field trip will provide insight into additional careers that involve meeting the needs of other wildlife species. Additionally, this camp will have a Thursday night campout to observe the nocturnal habits of local wildlife.
WEEK 8: AUGUST 4-8
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL
What if . . .? Emergency preparedness is emphasized in this unique camp program. Through a variety of hands-on activities, students will learn skills such as basic navigation and map reading, shelter building, fire making and safety, water collection and filtering, and how to use natural resources to help survive an outdoor excursion, should unanticipated circumstances arise. While learning practical backcountry skills, campers will be encouraged to work together as a team to overcome challenges. Camp includes a Tuesday field trip and Thursday night camp out.
WEEK 10: AUGUST 18-22
ANIMAL CARETAKERS
If your child wants to be a veterinarian, zookeeper, or park ranger, then 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! An offsite field trip will provide insight into additional careers that involve meeting the needs of other wildlife species. Additionally, this camp will have a Thursday night campout to observe the nocturnal habits of local wildlife.
COUNSELORS IN TRAINING (CIT)
TOO OLD FOR OUR NATURE CAMPS BUT WISH YOU COULD STILL ATTEND? WHY NOT APPLY TO BECOME ONE OF OUR SELECT COUNSELORS IN TRAINING?
CITs will learn about the ins and outs of summer camp childcare and will be introduced to basic team building, leadership, and camp management skills. Basic instruction in animal handling will be included. Thereafter, CITs assist counselors with leading young campers through games, crafts, hikes, and other means of nature exploration.
This is a great way to develop leadership skills, earn service hours and stay connected to nature. CITs must be 13-16 years of age and need to complete a simple application and an interview before being selected. All CITs must attend a one-day training on June 14 or July 12.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 18, 2025
DATES: Two-week commitment
SESSION 1 JUNE 16-29
SESSION 2 JUNE 30-JULY 11
SESSION 3 JULY 14-25
SESSION 4 JULY 28-AUGUST 8
SESSION 5 AUGUST 11-22
TIME: 8:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
COST: FREE
CAMP CALENDAR
LITTLE BIRDS 6MO-3YRS; SAPLINGS 3-4YRS; DISCOVERY 5-6YRS; Single day registration available - attend 1-4 days of your choosing
SUMMER LITTLE BIRDS CAREGIVER + CHILD CAMP
SAPLINGS SENSING NATURE
DISCOVERY CRAFTY CRITTERS
EXPLORERS SENSATIONAL SENSES
WEEK 2: JUNE 23 - JUNE 27
SUMMER LITTLE BIRDS CAREGIVER + CHILD CAMP
DISCOVERY GREEN THUMB
EXPLORERS CHILD VS. WILD
ADVENTURE FARM-TO-TABLE
SAPLINGS SPLASH ZONE
DISCOVERY MUDDY BUDDIES
EXPLORERS HEALTHY HERBALISTS
ADVENTURE ANIMAL CARETAKERS
WEEK 3: JUNE 30 - JULY 3 (CLOSED JULY 4TH) WEEK 4: JULY 7 - JULY 11
DISCOVERY JOURNEY THROUGH SPACE
EXPLORERS ANIMAL OLYMPICS
ADVENTURE ANIMAL ART
WEEK 5: JULY 14 - JULY 18 WEEK 1: JUNE 16 - JUNE 20
SUMMER LITTLE BIRDS CAREGIVER + CHILD CAMP
SAPLINGS NATURE NUTS
DISCOVERY TRAIL BLAZERS
EXPLORERS WETLAND WONDERS
CAMP CALENDAR
EXPLORER 7-9YRS; ADVENTURE 10-12YRS
SUMMER LITTLE BIRDS CAREGIVER + CHILD CAMP
DISCOVERY LAND BEFORE TIME
SAPLINGS FOREST FAIRYTALES
DISCOVERY ROOKIE RANGERS
DISCOVERY CREATURE FEATURES
EXPLORERS LIVING OFF THE LAND ADVENTURE WILDERNESS SURVIVAL
5. Login to an existing account or create a new one
6. Complete camper’s health history and medication (ALL medications MUST be self-administered ) and waiver; you must fill out all information to proceed
7. Check out!
If you have any questions, please call (443) 738-9215 to reach the Education Administrative Assistant or email FerraraL@ExploreNature.org with ‘Summer Camp Registration’ in the subject line.
What Happens Next?
1. You will automatically receive an email with a receipt for your payment.
2. If more health information is needed, someone from our camp team will contact you.
3. Two weeks before camp starts you will receive an introductory First Day Letter via e-mail. This will include reminders and additional information to prepare your child for their upcoming Summer Nature Camp experience.
My daughter just finished two weeks of camp at Irvine and is already talking about next year! She loved it even more than I imagined. From hikes, to crafts, meeting new creatures, and playing in the rain, it was hands down the best camp experience. Thank you Irvine staff for a fantastic experience!
Emily Herstein, Summer Nature Camp Parent
REGISTRATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• Campers must be the required age for their group by the end of September.
• A 50 % deposit is due at the time of registration. Remaining payment amount is due May 1, 2025. You will be sent a reminder of your payment due prior to the due date. You may set up an automatic payment, or pay in full at the time of registration, if you wish. Remaining payments will be paid through your account on the registration portal.
• Registrations made after May 1, 2025 must be paid in full.
• Your child’s spot will be forfeited if full payment is not received by June 1, 2025.
• Online registration includes a health form and waiver. All forms, waivers, and agreements must be completed in order to register.
CAMP POLICIES
LATE POLICY: Please message camp staff if you will be late to pick up. If tardiness becomes an on-going issue, we may charge a late fee of $15 per child for the first 15 min and an additional $1 per minute after that.
CANCELATION POLICY: Irvine reserves the right to cancel any camp session due to insufficient enrollment. If Irvine cancels a session, all fees will be fully refunded. If you remove your child from a camp session before it begins, membership fees are non-refundable and camp refunds are as follows:
# Days Before Non-Refundable Session Begins Portion of Camp Fees Refunded
