DAY OFF CAMPS AT IRVINE
YOUR CHILD WILL LOVE SPENDING THEIR DAY OFF FROM SCHOOL WITH IRVINE’S AWARD-WINNING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS FOR A DAY OF EXPLORATION AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITY!
Participants will be inspired to explore nature as they are led through a day filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts, and more. Irvine Nature Center’s Day Camps are a great option for working families. Drop your child off for a day of nature and fun… while you’re at work getting the job done!
Ages: 5 – 12 years old
Dates: October 3, October 18, November 1, November 5, January 20, January 29, February 17, March 31, April 21
Time: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Price: $110 per day (member* discounts apply – Pacesetter Level and above)
**NEW! Aftercare available until 6PM for an additional $30/day**
Interested in participating in all 9 Day Off Camps? Sign up for the series and SAVE! Register by October 3 to get 9 camps for the price of 8!
Questions? Contact Laura Ferrara at 443-738-9215 or FerraraL@ExploreNature.org
*Not a member? Join and save! LEARN MORE
DAY OFF CAMP DESCRIPTIONS 2024-25:
Thursday, October 3, 2024 – Fabulous Fall
Fabulous is the best way to describe fall here at Irvine. We invite your child to join us in enjoying some of our favorite fall activities! We will begin on the trails to experience the crisp fall air and nostalgic smell of fallen leaves as we hike all around Irvine to observe how the environment changes with the season. Your child will enjoy several fall themed games and activities, including s’mores by the fire to round out the day!
Friday, October 18, 2024 – Indigenous Peoples of the Chesapeake
In celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we will commemorate the Native American tribes of the Eastern Woodlands for all they have taught us about connecting with the environment and using our natural resources sustainably. We will hike to Irvine’s Native American Site where children will get an insider look at Longhouse and Wigwam replicas that pre-colonial Native American tribes would have lived in. Participants will develop a respect for Native American culture as they learn about tool use, clothing, food, fire-making methods, and even games that are different than we see in today’s world.
Friday, November 1, 2024 – Fossils Rock!
Students will have the chance to become a geologist or paleontologist and as they learn how fossils and rocks form and what they can tell us about prehistoric life. They will even have their very own fossil hunt! Throughout the day, students will play games, create art, and participate in activities designed to explore trace fossils, geology, and the world of dinosaurs. They will also have the chance to meet some descendants of the ancient dinosaurs and see how they survived today.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 – Natural Artisans
Does your child have a love of nature, science, and art? Join us here at Irvine as we hike to find our own natural objects to create amazing works of art while investigating our own love of science. Our animal ambassadors are also fond of art and can show us their artistic skills. Your child will be able to put their skills to the test to become a natural artisan!
Monday, January 20, 2025 – Wilderness Survival
What would you do if you got lost in the woods? In the Wilderness Survival Day Off Camp, children will learn outdoors survival skills that can keep them safe in the event that they have lost their way. Students will learn how to properly pack for an outdoor excursion so that they are prepared for different conditions and scenarios that may arise. They will learn skills such as basic navigation and map reading, shelter building, fire building and safety, water collection and filtering, and how to use the resources around them to help them survive. Don’t miss out this awesome educational experience for your child!
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 – Nature’s Engineers
There is so much we can learn from the natural world, including architecture and design. Students will meet various animal ambassadors and observe animal artifacts to learn how these natural builders construct their homes. They will work together as a team to create our own structures, using the building techniques we’ve learned from the animals themselves!
Monday, February 17, 2025 – Maple Magic
Maple syrup season is one of our favorite times of the year here at Irvine, and we hope your child will join us for a close up look at the process of collecting maple sap and turning it into the delicious syrup we all know and love! Participants will hike through our trails to visit our tapped trees and learn how the process has changed over time. We will visit the Barn to observe the process of sap changing to syrup as we enjoy some delicious treats by the fire!
Monday, March 31, 2025 – Terrific Tardigrades
Amoebas, Rotifers, & Water Bears, Oh My! The world can be so much smaller than we realize as we take the time to learn how to use a microscope and explore the unseen world around us. From single celled organisms to microscopic animals such as tardigrades, hiding in soil or stream water we will hike to collect samples and make observations of our findings.
Monday, April 21, 2025 – Wetland Wonders
Children will become scientists as they explore Irvine’s aquatic habitats to perform water quality tests and record data on the biodiversity found in each habitat. They will analyze their findings to determine the health of the ecosystems found in the wetland ponds and streams of Irvine and discuss how these habitats contribute to the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. This hands-on experience will allow students to realize the impact their choices can have on our local environment.
NEW SPRING BREAK CAMP: Monday April 14-18, 2025 – Animal Caretakers (attend individual days or the full week)
If your child wants to be a veterinarian, zookeeper, or park ranger, then they will love this camp! Our animal care professionals will provide campers with hands-on experience feeding, caring for, and training the many species of injured and imprinted animals that call Irvine home!
Each day of camp will focus on a different group of animals and how to care for them.
- Monday, April 14th – Arthropods
- Tuesday, April 15th – Fish
- Wednesday, April 16th – Reptiles & Amphibians
- Thursday, April 17th – Birds
- Friday, April 18th – Mammals
Sign up for individual days or the full week! $495/ week or $110/ single day
