Summer camps at the Nature Center are fun, educational experiences for all campers. Camp facilitators draw upon the Nature Center staff naturalist and the natural history collection to present a program designed to involve children in the wonders of the natural world. The classroom provides a headquarters for crafts, lessons, and shelter from summer heat and thunderstorms as the children engage in exploratory activities throughout the Nature Center. Each camp session offers creative themes using both plants and animals in its design, offering fun learning activities using STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math) along with arts and social studies.  As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we celebrate the continuous promotion of making proper ethical choices for our environment!

Wild Weeks Camps are for children entering first grade through third grade this fall (2017). Camps will vary slightly during the seven (7) scheduled weeks with basic themes on animals, outdoor recreation, crafts, and group activities on the grounds. (options: pre & post camp care)

• June 19-23, Camp #WW 1 “Beetles, Bugs, and Butterflies” Discovery the tiny world of insects that look a whole lot larger when we see them up close! Hands-on collection, identification, and release of our native bugs promotes ethical choices in wildlife conservation and engagement into research technology.
• June 26 -30, Camp #WW 2 “Camp Wattchamacallit” This camp explores the world of nature including animals, plants, and ecosystems in a fun and safe environment. Nature hikes, animal encounters, crafts, and plenty of fun challenges will encourage your child to learn about our wild mountains!
• July 3-7, Camp #WW 3 “Crafting with Nature” Designing your passion for nature through art is a significant way of connecting our culture with plants & animals. Trillium Trail hiking, wild collections, and multi-media crafting will provide our campers an opportunity to embrace our mountains beauty and heritage.
• July 10-14, Camp #WW 4 “Reptiles and Amphibians” Herpetology is the name of the game. Investigation of our cold-blooded reptiles & amphibians will include ecology, biology, recycling crafts, stories, and games that will surround these living fossils of the earth.
• July 17-21, Camp #WW 5 “Raccoon Rangers” Would you like to be a Forest Ranger or Game Warden? This camp will empower campers to look at careers in wildlife ecology and protection. Games, challenges, crafts, and outdoor research will engage them in how important science is and how fun it can be!
• July 24-28, Camp #WW 6 “Swannanoa River Camp” It’s gonna’ be wet! Come prepared to see, feel, and experience how water makes life possible on our planet. Science activities, games, crafts, and a trip into the Swannanoa River will grant us the fascinating look at the properties of water, H2O! Conservation, ethical decision making, and great fun will be our goals!
• July 31 – August 4, Camp #WW 7 “Woodland Arts and Crafts” Summer camp concludes with tons of nature crafting, using specialty craft supplies and mediums to make all sorts of majestic art pieces to treasure for years to come! Hikes, games, outdoor fun all included! Art show on the last day: families invited to come early!!

Pre-Care & After Care is available for an additional fee

Wild Weeks, and Bio-Blitz Camps:  Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (arrival time 8:15-8:30 a.m.)

• Registration is $175.00/week (Members of the Friends of the WNCNC)
• Registration is $200.00/week (Non-members)
• Pre-Care is $25.00/week (Members and Non-members)
• After Care is $50.00/week (Members and Non-members)