Tadpoles and Chipmunks
Ages 3-5
The youngest campers discover the wonders of the natural world through age appropriate hands-on activities, including nature walks, stories, crafts, music, and meeting live animals. These young campers use their senses to participate in activities which encourage sharing, learning together, and being a friend to nature. These groups meet behind the Science Center next to the owl enclosure at picnic tables. On rainy days, they are based in one of the preschool rooms but will go outside for rainy walks! Both of these locations offer easy access to the preschool bathroom and the Camp Director’s office.
Tadpoles ~ Age 3 (must be toilet trained)
- 2 options: Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday, Thursday
- 1 week sessions
- 9:00am-12:00pm
Chipmunks ~ Age 4 and 5 (must be toilet trained)
- Monday through Friday
- 1 week sessions
- 9:00am-12:00pm
2019 Themes
Week 1: Nature Detectives(June 24 – June 28)
Hmm, it appears we have a mystery on our hands: animal tracks, scat, holes, bones, dens, tunnels, and feathers are scattered all over the Science Center grounds! Put on your detective hat, venture out on the trails, and study the clues left behind to identify the animals that are active at SSNSC!
Week 2: Muck & Slime Safari (*July 1-3)
*No Camp Thursday, July 4th & Friday, July 5th
Do you love ooey-gooey nature and science? Explore the wonders of sticky mud, messy nature, and slimy experiments! From the kitchen to the forest to the pond, we’ll have fun exploring and crafting chemistry concoctions!
Week 3: Digging for Dinosaurs (July 8-12)
We have discoveries to be made! 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 and the evidence that scientists use to learn about these prehistoric creatures!
Week 4: Camo Camp (July 15-19)
Can you see me now? Camouflage is useful and fun! Be inspired by how plants and animals use the ability to blend into their surroundings for survival. Discover the wide variety of camouflage adaptations and then design your own camouflage using natural materials.
Week 5: Shark Week (July 22-26)
Explore the extraordinary world of sharks with hands-on activities and discovery. Become a marine biologist to uncover the incredible adaptations that make sharks and their relatives unique and help them to survive in their ocean habitat.
Week 6: Animal Superpowers (July 29-August 2)
KA-POW! Animals have amazing superpowers: falcons fly at incredible speeds, fish breathe underwater, squirrels “fly”, and owls can hunt even when it’s dark. Learn about the special adaptations that give animals their superpowers to make them mighty and strong.
Week 7: It’s Not Easy Being Green (August 5-9)
Join us as we jump into the world of recycling and engineering. We will explore ways of recycling, reusing, and reducing while using our imaginations to create and build some new and exciting inventions. During this week, we will also be participating in “Thingamajig”, our own invention convention. On Thursday, August 8 younger campers participate in an on-site “Mini -majig”
Week 8: Galactic Blast-off (August 12-16)
Blast off into space! Come explore the solar system with us as we discover the mysteries of space! What causes an eclipse? Why is Pluto no longer a planet? Why is a year on Mercury only 88 days? We will uncover the answers to these and other space curiosities that have mystified humans for years.
Week 9: Things with Wings (August 19-23)
Take flight and explore the many plants (Yes – Plants!) and animals with wings! Investigate how wings work, make flying crafts, and discover how high and how far your winged creature can go.
Week 10: Camp Sampler (August 26-29)
We are excited to provide an additional end-of-summer camp option that offers flexibility for families. Each day focuses on a different theme and will include hands-on fun and engaging activities. Pick the days that work for you.
Monday – Rock, Rumble & Roll
Tuesday – A Bug’s Life
Wednesday – Extreme Marine
Thursday – Creatures of the Night
Week 10 Camp Sampler is only available to camper that have previously participated in 2019 Nature Adventures Camp. Registration is only available in-house by contacting Kim Crespi, kcrespi@ssymca.org (sorry, on-line registration is not available.)
Sample Day for Tadpoles and Chipmunks: A ‘Salamander Day’
9:00-9:15 Arrival and quiet games
9:20-9:40 All camp morning circle with announcements and songs
9:45-10:30 A forest exploration walk looking for salamanders
10:30-11:00 Snack and stories like The Salamander Room
11:00-11:30 Salamander craft made from recycled materials
11:30-12:00 An active game like “Salamander Tails”
12:00 Pickup
