Camp Themes

Welcome to Nature Adventures Camp 2023

From the Camp Leadership Team

We are excited to have another incredible summer at Nature Adventures Camp and are counting down to the warm sunny days until campers arrive! At camp we are focused on safety, engaging science education, and fun! Camp is a place to learn, grow, and foster new friendships.

To those who are coming back for another summer, welcome back! We are excited to see you. To those who are coming to camp for the first time we are excited to see you and provide your camper with a memorable, fun, and science filled experience!

• Jamie St. Peter, Nature Adventures Camp Director,  jspeter@ssymca.org
• Julie Chessia, Nature Adventures Camp, jchessia@ssymca.org  

2023 Camp Themes

Our exciting nature-based weekly themes emphasize fun, hands-on experiences for campers to discover the natural world around them through age-appropriate activities. Campers at each age level develop skills and knowledge which encourage confidence, cooperation, curiosity, and compassion for the natural world. Each week we feature a different camp-wide theme.

Week 1: Beneath the Surface (June 19 – 23)

What lives under our feet? Do you ever wonder what is happening underground? Who lives in the depths of the deep blue sea? Are you curious about what hides beneath the surface of Jacob’s pond? Come investigate around the Science Center and at Jacob’s Pond to discover the microorganisms beneath the surface!

Week 2: Jeepers Creepers: It’s a Bug’s Life (June 26 – 30)

What makes an insect an insect? What creepers live around the science center and at Jacob’s Pond? We’ll use magnifying glasses, bug catchers, and frolic in Woodchuck Field to get a closer look at our 6 legged friends. Explore with us as we discover the insects that call South Shore Natural Science Center home!

Week 2: Adventure Skills (Entering Grades 4-5) (June 26 – 30)

Could you survive in the wild? What skills do you need to spend a night outdoors without the convenience of electricity? Join us to learn how nature provides everything we need, from fire building and orienteering to water collection techniques and shelter creation.  Ready yourself for your next adventure!

Week 3: NEW Mad Scientists (July 3 – 7)

Come be a scientist for a week! Come to camp and become a chemist, a biologist, or a paleontologist this week through exploration and experimentation. Experiment with many different types of materials and investigate how and why they interact with each other. Discover the science behind the experiments and scientists that created them!

Week 4: Paleopalooza! (July 10 – 14)

Help us uncover the prehistoric past! The world of dinosaurs will come to life through fossil hunts, mock digs, and engaging, hands-on activities.  We will explore the lives of dinosaurs, the Big Bang, and other ancient organisms, as we learn about the evidence that scientists use to learn about these prehistoric creatures!

Week 5: Thingamajig: Environmental Innovation  (July 17 – 21)

Join us as we build contraptions to fight climate change, raise environmental awareness,  and peak sustainable interest! In addition, we will participate in our 8th annual “Thingamajig”, our own invention convention, by using our imaginations to create and build some new and exciting prototypes to combat climate change.

Week 5: Lego Engineers (Grades: 1-3) (July 17 – 21)

Let your imagination run with LEGOs as we design and build a structure to help mitigate the effect from extreme weather, such as a hurricane, a flood, or a tornado. Design and build like you never have before and explore your wildest ideas!

Week 6: Shark Week (Who Ha-ha) (July 24 – 28)

Explore the extraordinary world of sharks, dolphins, and whales with hands-on activities and discovery.  Become a marine biologist to uncover the incredible adaptations that make ocean megafauna and their relatives unique and help them survive in their ocean habitats.

Week 6: Marine Biology  (Entering Grades 6-7)

Join us at Nature Adventures Camp to learn basic animal care skills and explore the world of veterinary science. Campers will interact with animals who call the science center home to learn about anatomy, gain important observational skills, and learn how to use various scientific tools! Marine bio camp will take trips to Jacobs Pond, explore the Science Center campus, dissect a fish, and feed the animals who live in the ecozone.

Week 7: Things with Wings (July 31 – August 4)

Take flight and explore the plants (yes – plants!) and animals with wings! Experiment with how wings work, make flying crafts and discover how high and far your creativity can go.  Finally, investigate how nature has inspired modern inventions such as helicopters, planes, and gliders.

Week 7: Vet Camp (Entering Grades 1-2) (July 31 – August 4)

Join us at Nature Adventures Camp to learn basic animal care skills and explore the world of veterinary science. Campers will interact with animals who call the science center home to learn about anatomy, gain important observational skills, and learn how to use various scientific tools! Vet camp will take trips to Jacobs Pond, explore the Science Center campus, and feed the animals who live in the ecozone.

Week 8: Galactic Blast Off (August 7 – 11)

Blast off into space! Come explore the vastness of the solar system with us as we discover the mysteries of the universe! What causes an eclipse? Why is Pluto no longer a planet?  We will uncover the answers to these and other space curiosities that have mystified humans for years.

Week 9: NEW Creatures of the Night (August 14 – 18)

What creatures wake up when we go to sleep? Come discover all the different nocturnal creatures through hands-on activities, games, and experiments!  Learn about why these creatures sleep all day and what they do at night. Discover their special abilities to see, communicate, and hunt in the dark.

Week 10: NEW Camp Samplah (August 21 – 25)

Come enjoy a taste of Nature Adventures Camp! Filled with engaging games, experiments, and activities from previous weeks’ themes, every day is new and exciting. We will also be piloting a new theme, Metamorphosis, for next summer! The list of each day is below:

• Mon- Paleopallooza!
• Tues- Metamorphosis
• Wed- Things with Wings
• Thurs- Shark Week (Who Ha Ha)
• Fri- Galactic Blast Off!

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Leader-In-Training

We are excited to announce the new Leader-In-Training (LIT) program at Nature Adventures Camp is back for 2022! This is an excellent opportunity for youth ages 12 to 15 to develop leadership skills while becoming role models for young campers in a fun and engaging atmosphere. They will be supervised, coached, and evaluated by the Leadership-in-Training Coordinator.  LITs will build their confidence, independence, and self-esteem through problem-solving, taking initiative, and being solutionaries. LITs will use these newly acquired skills to develop and lead camp activities alongside experienced counselors.

2-week sessions:

• Session 1: July 3-7, July 10-14
• Session 2: July 17-21, July 24-28
• Session 3: July 31-August 4, August 7-11
• Session 4: August 14-18, August 21-25