Nature Awareness Day Camp
Upcoming Dates: Jan 9th-10th, Feb 6th-7th, Mar 5th-6th, Apr 2nd-3rd, May 7th-8th, Aug 13th-14th, Sep 17th-18th, Oct 15th-16th, Nov 12th-13th, Dec 10th-11th 2008
Costs: $15 per camp, if pre registering by mail, $18 at the camp walk ins welcome, $10 for 4 year olds. Parents and Under 4 Free.
Length of Time: 9.30am -2.30pm
Class Description
1st SEMESTER TOPICS - HABITATS
Jan - Caves
Feb - Mountains
Mar - Piney Woods
April - Blackland Prairie
May - Deserts
2ND SEMESTER SCHEDULE
Aug - Nagivation in Nature
Sept - Artists inspired by Nature
Oct - Mankind as Caretakers of the Earth
Nov - Endangered Wildlife
Dec - World in Winter
Each of the 10 camps will host a different exciting habitat, so don’t miss one of them! We will still be talking about the Texas plants and animals but in reference to the particular habitat of the month. These will include Ponds, Seashores, Plains, Desert, Wetlands, Urban, Conifer Forests , Deciduous Forests , Rivers and Caves. We will still be teaching with fun games, songs and activities.
Example: POND HABITAT
1. BIRD - Great blue heron -size, nest, eggs, food, tracks, feathers, song/calls
2.TREE- Bald cypress - leaf type, bark identification, height, uses to man and animals
3. PLANT - Cattails - how to identify, when in bloom, what pollinates it, if edible what parts and who eats it, other uses
4. MAMMAL - Beaver - Size, various species, tracks, dens, chews, what it feeds on, what feeds on it, scat, habits, distinguishing features
5. HERPS - Reptile, amphibian, or fish (same as mammal)
6. INSECT - Dragonfly - Order they are categorized in, varieties, harmful or helpful, type of metamorphosis
Other activities to include:
WEATHER OBSERVATIONS
CONSTELLATION OF THE SEASON
NATURE CRAFT - Most camps will include a simple craft for the children to take home.
We get the children to create their own "NATURE JOURNAL" to help them remember what they learned from the day and then continue to add things that they find in their own backyards. Please have each child bring their own notebook or sketch book along with pencils. The children can either draw, trace or color in handouts of the animals, plants or nature topic we are talking about. Fun games, songs and activities are done throughout the day to have interaction with new friends and nature. Older students can take notes, which is a great way to add to their Life Science Studies.
Bring your own picnic lunch. You are welcome to stay at the camp until 3.00 pm to explore trails, ponds and tree houses.
Camp is open to ages 4 and up, but under 10 years of age will require a parent or designated one in attendance. This is not a pre-school activity but younger siblings are welcome to be at the camp, free of charge, under a parent's supervision.
If we end up with a large teen group in attendance, we will split up the group and provide the teens with a higher level of learning and activity.
We need at least 14 children to run a camp and limit it to 30, so register early.
ACORN ASSISTED PROGRAM: *OPTIONAL* At the end of 10 sessions a camper can take an oral quiz on the classes they attended. Upon passing this comprehensive review, giving a report at the camp, and show us a well kept Journal, the title “ACORN” will be awarded. This honor and prestige allows them to come to the next set of sessions as Junior Counselors plus earn a free Camp Tonkawa tee shirt. This can easily be incorporated into your Earth Science Curriculum, especially for all you Homeschoolers. This is geared for an enthusiastic, nature loving 10 year old, or older camper. * Discounted rates for assistants who return and help by giving reports, leading games and songs.
We have a swimming pond and outdoor showers, so bring provisions to enjoy.
NOTE : All classes have a minimum number of registrants to make or sorry to say it will be cancelled. So bring your friends and tell everyone you know. Some classes are listed but are not currently on the schedule for the upcoming year. If your group has an interest we can schedule a date for you.
Large Family Rates are available.
Scout and other large groups of 12 or more are eligible for a group discount, contact us for more information.
