WNC Nature Center’s

Wild Weeks Summer Camp

2009

 WILD WEEKS summer camps at the Nature Center are fun, educational experiences for all campers. Experienced teachers draw upon the Nature Center staff naturalist and the natural history collection to present a program designed to involve children in the wonders of the natural world. The classroom provides a headquarters for crafts, lessons and shelter from summer heat and thunderstorms as the children engage in exploratory activities throughout the Nature Center. Each WILD WEEKS session offers a unique theme using both plants and animals to create fun learning activities encompassing the arts, sciences and social studies.  As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we celebrate the continuous promotion of making proper ethical choices for our environment!

Camp Hours

June 1 – July 31, 2009

Week One only: June 1 - 5, Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-12 noon

Week Two through Week Nine – Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (arrival time 8:15-8:30 a.m.)

AfterCare – 3:00-5:00 p.m.

About Camp

Week One, Pee-Wee Camp, is for preschool and kindergarten children and a parent or guardian. All other camp sessions are children only and designated by grade level.

Weeks Two-Nine offer AfterCare, 3:00-5:00 p.m., for children who need extended care at the close of camp each day. Campers are responsible for bringing a lunch, water bottles and sunscreen. Snacks are provided daily and drinks are available at the gift shop. A refrigerator is on site to store lunches.

Grade Level & Class Size

Registration is based on the grade the child will be entering in the fall 2009 school year. Example: A rising first grader may register for any camp for grades 1-3. Unless otherwise noted, each class is limited to a maximum of 21 children to ensure individual attention and safety considerations.

Special Needs

The primary goal is safety for campers and staff, and a positive camp experience for all. Camp staff is happy to assist should a camper with a special need require full-time adult supervision. Parents are asked to discuss the need with the program director. Camp registration may be denied if the need is determined to be in excess to camp resources and capabilities.

Fees

Fees include activities, snacks, all materials and a Wild Weeks t-shirt. Week One campers receive a special Nature Center gift in lieu of a tee shirt. Fees will increase in 2010.

Week One                                           $60/child-parent combo, $25 each additional participant

Friends of the Nature Center Members

Camp Registration                                $125/week

AfterCare                                             $35/week

Non-Members

Camp Registration                                $150/week

AfterCare                                             $35/week

How to Register

Pre-registration is required with full payment to guarantee enrollment in the camp session of your choice. To register, you may visit the Nature Center on March 1 starting at 8:00am. Please MAKE SURE your membership is up to date – those without a current membership to the Friends of the WNC Nature Center will be required to first obtain a membership and then will be able to get in line for camp registration (you will not be able to obtain your membership AND camp registration in the same line). Call 828-298-5600, ext. 305, or go to www.wildwnc.org  for more information.  Click here for a registration form and summer camp descriptions.  No telephone registration accepted. Payments will be deposited promptly upon receipt. Those adults who come to the WNC Nature Center at 8:00am will have preferential treatment to registration over any registration forms that had been mailed and received by our office.

Cancellation Policy

A fee of $25.00 will apply to all cancellations. Cancellations must be received at least three weeks prior to the camp session to receive a full refund (minus $25 cancellation fee). 50% of the registration fee will be withheld for cancellations made less than two weeks prior to the session (plus the cancellation fee). No refund for cancellations made three days or less prior to the session. Allow three to four weeks for refunds to be issued from the time of cancellation.

Camp Descriptions

Week One

Pee-Wee Camp

June 1-5 (Parents, Pre-K, K children)

Start the summer off right with Pee Wee Camp at the WNC Nature Center.  This is the perfect camp for young children (ages 2 to 5) and an adult partner to get acquainted with the wonderful world of animals and nature.  Each day the children will be introduced to a special animal topic which will include stories, crafts, games, songs, snack, and live animal encounters that tie in with our theme.  A wonderful way for parents and grandparents to spend quality time with that special little person in their lives. This camp runs from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, Monday – Friday.  Cost is only $60.00 for one child and one adult combination.  Additional siblings or adults are $25.00 each.  

Instructor: Tracy Trout will host this year’s camp for families. She has taught children environmental education over seven years in Ohio, Hawaii, and here in the mountains of NC.  Her many talents include the development of intriguing programs, creating crafts, tons of humor, and endless patience.  We welcome Tracy back to the classroom!

Week Two

Speed Bumps, Holes and Camo Trails

June 8-12 (Grades 1-3)

It’s another year of survival for the animals in the wild. How do the creatures of our mountains survive on a daily basis?  Discovering what impacts life on our planet is a huge part of this camp.  Food, shelter, camophlage, speed or being motionless – what would you do to survive the seasons and their predators?  Meet a variety of native and non-native species face to face throughout the week. Hikes, games, crafts are all fun and educationally integrated.

Instructor: Carlton Burke operates Carolina Mountain Naturalists, a local educational service which specializes in wildlife and nature programs for camps, schools, and other organizations. Carlton was a former staff member for more than 25 years at the Western North Carolina Nature Center, retiring in 2005 from his position as Curator of Exhibits.

Week Three

Appalachian Explorers

June 15-19 (Grades 1-3)

Be ready for a fun-filled week of exploration, experiments, and crafts as we examine the natural world of animals and plants.  Some activities to look forward to include observing animals and plants close-up, playing outdoor games, making animal tracks, going on a scavenger hunt, and hiking the Trillium Glen Nature Trail down to the Swannanoa River.  You won’t want to miss out on all the excitement!

            Instructor: Appalachian Explorers’ Jodi Clere is currently a third grade teacher for Buncombe County Schools.  She has an extensive background working with children. She is a Gold Award Girl Scout, former summer camp leader and has worked as an Outdoor Science Educator in California.  She loves the natural world and working with children.  “What better way to spend a week of my summer than to combine two things I love, the outdoors and kids!”

Week Four

Pioneer Living

June 22-26 (Grades 5-7)

Come celebrate the best of American pioneer life with lots of new activities this year. Call our authentic 1850’s Appalachian mountain cabin “home” for the week as we grind local corn for griddle cakes, have a taffy pull, make cheese, barter for goods at our general store, listen to live Appalachian music, play harvest games, make herbal soaps, do barn chores, and more!

Instructor:  Barbara Swell has 28 years experience working with children.  She has published five historic cookbooks including “Log Cabin Cooking: Pioneer Recipes and Foodlore.” and “Children at the Hearth: 19^th century cooking, manners and games.” Barbara has been a Wild Week’s instructor for many years.  She will surprise you with her historic creativity.

Week Five

Reptiles and Amphibians: Fact and Fiction

June 29 - July 3 (Grades 1-3)

Direct observations of snakes, lizards, turtles, toads, frogs, and salamanders will lead to a study of their life cycles and life styles.  Coloration, patterns, and shapes will be explored through many crafts and activities.

Instructor: Jeff Menzer holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science from Sierra Nevada College as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts.  He has presented reptiles and amphibian programs to school children locally and worked as a visiting artist in school systems in North Carolina, California and Nevada.   Jeff returns to our Wild Weeks program for his 13th year.

Week Six

Wild Encounters

July 6 - 10 (Grades 1-3)

Join us for a fun-filled week of animal adventures. Each day we will focus on a specific animal or group of animals, meet and greet some live critters, and then conduct classroom or field studies focusing on each day's special wildlife guests. Butterflies, groundhogs, owls, and snakes are just some of the animals that may show up! If you enjoy getting close and personal with wildlife, then this is the summer camp session for you!

Instructor: Carlton Burke, see Week 2 for biography information

Week Seven

Nature Rangers

July 13 – 17 (Grades 1-3)

Be prepared to become a “Nature Ranger!”  The focus for this week will be on ecology for our young campers. The group will engage in numerous hands-on learning activities; such as, games, field searches, and discovery hikes.  Participants will explore native wildlife and their ecosystems, search for signs of life in the forest, and discover how humans impact our hometown bioregion. 

Instructor: Ben Prater gained a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Duke University in Durham, NC.  He is working with the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project here in Asheville with the “Forest Watch Program,” career dealing with environmental law, forest management, and with educating the public.  We are very fortunate to have Ben with us for his 5th Wild Weeks camping experience.

Week Eight

Staying Found

July 20 - 24 (Grades 2-4)

The positive side of how not to get lost! Our week is dedicated to paying attention to the world around you and developing an understanding of basic geography.  Map and compass skills, sun rise and sun set, city smarts, and just common sense development will be our priorities during our camp session. S.T.O.P (stop, think, observe & plan) will be our motto.

Instructor: Jeff Menzer, see Week 5 for Jeff’s biography

Week Nine

Earth, Water and Sky

July 27 - 31 (Grades 1-3)

Rocks, creeks, rivers, mountains, sky, plants, and, of course, animals will all be included in this week’s go-go-go camp filled with nature exploration, creative arts, and thought-provoking lessons.  Textures, sounds, smells, colors, movement, and their relationships to nature will illuminate each camper’s idea of what nature is made of.  Hikes, crafts, an on-site trip to the Swannanoa River, and endless treks outdoors will engage your child’s mind in the fascinating world of insects, plants, mammals, minerals, and more.

Instructor: Nicole Phelps is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary education and then a master's degree in special education. She has been teaching for 11 years, four in Tennessee and seven here in Western North Carolina. “I love the mountains and I love sharing their treasures with children. Campers will ‘create as they discover’ using music, art, and anything else they can get our hands and minds on.”  You will enjoy Nicole’s enthusiasm and creativity!

                Registration forms will be available February 23, 2009

Registration begins Sunday March 1, 2009

Enrollment will begin at 8:00am at the WNC Nature Center.

Registrations must be complete and be accompanied with full payment for the week(s) requested.

We will accept Cash, Check, Visa or Master Card payments.

 Those registering at our facility on March 1 will recieve prefential treatment over mailed-in applications. We will begin to fill in camp openings from mail-in applications when all walk-in applications have been received and registered that morning.