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summer camps

Summer Camp 2007

What’s the best way to be sure that “No Child is Left Inside” this summer? A great day camp at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center! From the shores of Lake Erie to the launching pad of a rocket, amazing adventures in the great outdoors await boys and girls ages 3 - 13. Campers experience live wildlife encounters, planetarium shows, beach walks, nature hikes, games, crafts, journaling and more.

Professional, year-round staff heads up the teaching. Children are grouped by age. Questions? - Call (440) 871-2900.

NEW! Download our 2010 Summer Program Guide (pdf)
Download our 2010 Summer Registration Form

Summer 2010 Registration Schedule

Member: Saturday, March 20 , 2010
Member Phone-in: Monday, March 22, 2010
Non-members:
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Girl Scout Camp: Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wanderers Field Biology Overnight Camp
Date: July 27-31
Time/Duration: 10 a.m. Tuesday July 27- 2 p.m. Saturday July 31
  Completed Grades 6-8; ages 11-14 Fee: $500/camper; members $450/camper
Looking for summer adventure? Do some traveling this summer in our second annual Wanderers Field Biology Camp. We’re mapping out the stops on our adventure now, so watch our website for the evolving details. We will have space for parent chaperones at each overnight destination.

We will have space for parent chaperones at each overnight destination! Tentative daily agenda will be available soon.

Adventure Guides:  Darci Sanders, Center Director of Education, Jennifer Lee, Christa Sandy

This program requires advance registration.



Junior Naturalist Survival of the Fittest Day Camp 2010
Date: June 14-18
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. plus
Thursday Night at the Center: 7 - 10 p.m.
Time/Duration: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. daily
  For children who have completed Grades 5-8 and are ages 10-14 (limited to 20 campers) Fee: $275/child; members $250/child
Can you survive a week with this much fun?! Explore the Center, Huntington Reservation and Lake Erie to discover how wildlife survives. Learn first aid, build a shelter and blaze a trail. Head out on a fantastic field trip to experience the ropes course and more at Common Ground in Oberlin. Thursday night, we’ll return to the Center for pizza, games, a planetarium show and a night hike.

Instructors:  Jennifer Lee, Christa Sandy

This program requires advance registration.  


Family Campout Night 2010
Date: Friday night to Saturday, June 18-19 Time/Duration: 6 p.m. Friday June 18 - 9:30 a.m. Saturday June 19
  For all ages Fee: $50/family; members $40/family

Want to try camping with your little ones, but don’t know where to start? Already a casual camping family looking for a reason to break out the old tent? This is the night for you! Our annual campout will include live animal visits, camping safety, fire-side stories, stargazing and breakfast.

Purchase a boxed dinner or pack a picnic. Bring your own tent and sleep gear. 

A detailed letter with items to bring will be sent upon registration.

In the event of inclement weather, all activities, including sleeping, will take place inside the Center.
 

Instructors:  Amy Martinez

This program requires advanced registration.



Nature Nuts Summer Preschool Camps 2010
Date: Please see options below Time/Duration: Mornings
9:30-11:30 a.m.

Afternoons
12:30-2:30 p.m.
  For children ages 3-5*
*All children must be potty-trained
Fee: Each One-Week Camp OR 4-week session: $125/child; members $100/child

The wonder of nature is at your fingertips. Sing, paint, hike, explore and meet live animals up close. Dress for messy fun and wear your favorite hiking shoes! This year, attend camp four days in a row or choose our traditional 4-week session. *A note to parents:  All children must be potty-trained.

One-Week Camp
A different theme every week.
Sign up for one or all of these camps.

Meets Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday AND Thursday
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. OR 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Camp 1: June 7 - 10
Camp 2: June 14 - 17
Camp 3: June 21 - 24

Four-Week Session Camp
Four-week Session meets one day per week
the weeks of July 19, 26, August 2 and 9.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays OR Thursdays
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. OR 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Instructor:  Teece Lester

These sessions require advanced registration.



Rocket Camp for Beginners and Advanced 2010
Date: Friday, June 25
Friday, July 30 OR
Friday August 13
Time/Duration: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Maximum 24)
  Beginners: Children who have completed Grades 2 - 6;
Advanced: Children who have completed Grades 3 - 6 AND have previous rocket experience
Fee: Beginners: $35/child
Advanced: $40/child
Construct and launch a real rocket! With our expert guidance, find out how these rockets fly, perform static motor tests and conduct safety checks. Both beginner and advanced will be together for the first half, then both groups will separate to build their individual rockets. Bring a packed lunch.

All participants launching rockets must be registered participants of our camp. Family members are encouraged to attend the afternoon launching at 3 p.m. Bring a camera!  

Because these camps have specific reading, cutting skills, and maturity requirements, we recommend the following grade levels:

Beginners completed grade 2 - 6;
Advanced completed grade 3 - 6 and possess previous rocket experience 

PLEASE NOTE:  Model Rocketry is not otherwise permitted on the grounds of Cleveland Metroparks.

Instructors: Jay Reynolds, Jessica Mazzola

Advance registration is required for these camps.


Space Explorers Camp 2010
Date: Tuesday – Friday, August 3 - 6 Time/Duration: 9 a.m. - noon
  Grades 1 & 2
(Student MUST have completed 1st Grade)
Fee: $175/camp; members $150/camp
Drive a rover, orbit Mercury, land a space shuttle, eat space ice-cream, try on a sleeping bag for astronauts and picture yourself in a space suit! Exciting, new hands-on activities help us explore the solar system. Finish the week by launching your own water rocket with a new and improved, better than ever design!

Instructors: Jay Reynolds & Jessica Mazzola

(Participants MUST have completed 1st grade or they will not understand much of what we are discussing.)

These camps require advance registration. 


Log Cabin Kindercamps 2010
Date: Each camp runs Tuesday - Thursday
See weekly themes and dates below

Time/Duration: 9 a.m. - Noon OR
1 - 4 p.m.* UNLESS otherwise noted
  For children ages 5 and 6 (Pre- AND/OR Post-Kindergartners welcome) Fee: $140/camp; members $120/camp** UNLESS otherwise noted
Each week a new natural adventure awaits. Whatever theme(s) you choose, spend time in the fresh air - creek walking, beach combing and encountering live wildlife! Group sizes are limited to 12 to ensure that every child gets the attention they deserve!

All campers should bring a drink each day to camp!
Sunscreen and sturdy shoes are a must! Bug spray is suggested.
Snacks are provided as needed.

Weekly Dates and Themes:

Colors in Action
June 15 - 17
*9 a.m. - Noon 
Discover the amazing reasons for color in nature - everything from camouflage, to attraction, to warnings! Soak up a kaleidoscope of fun with exploration, art, stories and animal visits.
Instructor:  Amy Martinez

Feather Fandango
June 22 - 24
*9 a.m. - Noon
From silly dances to incredible migrations to flute-like calls, discover the wacky behaviors of our fantastic, feathered friends. Enjoy daily visits with live birds, hikes, crafts and more. 
Instructor:  Amy Martinez

Wild Rumpus*   
June 29 - July 1
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.*
Join the wonderful, wild rumpus inside and out on the trails. Some activities will be shared with the larger school-age camp, but children remain in their small group. (Please note: this camp does not attend BAYarts.) Campers MUST bring a packed lunch each day to camp.
Instructor:  Bev Walbon
Fee:  $175/child; members $150/child**

The Science of Wizardry*  
July 6- 8
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. daily*
Mix up potions, meet magical creatures and be awed by mystical powers, with science behind all the tricks! Camp shares some activities with the “big kids” Science of Wizardry, but children remain in their small group. Campers MUST bring a packed lunch each day to camp.
Fee:  $175/child; members $150/child**


Rainbow Garden
July 13- 15
*9 a.m. - Noon
Plants can be a blast! Create a Sensory Garden with rainbow colors, amazing scents and tantalizing textures.
Instructor:  Amy Leamon


Moon Camp   
July 20 - 22

9 a.m. - Noon OR 1 - 4 p.m. 
Find out cool stuff about the brightest object you can see at night! Explore the lunar landscape and finish the week by launching your own Kinder-water rocket.
Instructors:  Jay Reynolds, Jessica Mazzola

Stream Stompers 
July 27 - 29
9 a.m. - Noon OR 1 - 4 p.m. 
Stomp in the stream and discover the animals that live in and depend on the creek for survival. Explore the beach where Porter Creek meets Lake Erie, too.
Instructor:  Bev Walborn


Trail Blazers   
August 3 - 5
9 a.m. - Noon OR 1 - 4 p.m. 
Trek the trails in the woods and fields as we hunt for incredible nature discoveries. Meet the fascinating animals that call these trails home.
Instructor:  Bev Walborn

Animal Adventurers
August 10 - 12 
9 a.m. - Noon OR 1 - 4 p.m. 
Hop like a rabbit, run like a deer! Make tracks all over Huntington Reservation in search of awesome animal adventures.
Instructor:  Bev Walborn


These camps all require advance registration.


Wild Rumpus Week with BAYarts Summer Camp 2010
Date: Tuesday - Friday, June 29 - July 2
Time/Duration: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  For children who have completed Grades K- 8 AND are ages 5- 14 years Fee: $240/child
Enjoy wild activities at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center AND creative fun at BAYarts! Start the day at our Center where you’ll experience wildlife encounters and trek forest, field and stream. Pack a healthy lunch to eat here, too. After lunch, BAYarts staff will hike you up the hill for a creative afternoon filled with drawing, painting, printing & pottery workshops!

Pick up your camper from BAYarts.
Registration for this camp takes place at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center ONLY.

All of our camps are planned and taught by experienced year-round professional staff with assistance from experienced college-aged interns. Campers are grouped by age and enjoy age-appropriate activities and experiences.

Instructors: Center Education Staff, BAYarts Education Staff


This program requires advance registration.


The Science of Wizardry Summer Camp 2010
Date: Tuesday - Friday, July 6 - 9 Time/Duration: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  For children who have completed Grades K- 8 AND are ages 5- 12 years Fee: $240/child; members $220/child
Enroll in our “wizardry school” for magical summer fun! You and your “House-mates” (sorted by age group) will use your official wizardry gear to create chemical reactions in “Potions,” practice the ancient art of “Divination” in the Schuele Planetarium, learn the ways of the wild in the “Care of Magical Creatures,” and find your way through forest and field during “Herbology” class!

All of our camps are planned and led by experienced year-round professional staff with assistance from experienced college-age interns.  Campers are grouped by age and enjoy age-appropriate activities and experiences.

Instructors: Center Education Staff

Special Note: Junior Education Volunteers (JEVs) can volunteer at this camp and serve as Head Girl or Boy for their “House.” Call Volunteer Coordinator Julie Mistur at 440-871-2900 x 215 for details and fee!

This program requires advance registration.  




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