Summer 2021 Nature Camps
Our Summer Nature Camps, designed for youth entering grades 1 – 6, get kids outdoors, developing a deeper connection with the natural world through fun and educational activities. We provide a highly-trained environmental educator for each camp and limit group size based on optimal teacher-student ratios.
Meeting live animals, hiking woodland trails, role-playing, making art and craft projects, learning from scientists and special presenters, exploring natural areas, telling and listening to stories, and conducting experiments fill the campers’ days. Off-site trips may be included to study water creatures or explore regional highlights. Campers can choose one week or join us for the entire summer!
* Hawk Mountain Sanctuary reserves the right to modify and/or change camp program activities and structure based on health, safety, and other variable factors.
8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, daily
Cost: $250, $200 for Members
Evening care 3:30-4:30 PM available for $25 per week.
Registering for 4 or more weeks? You qualify for a $50 discount! Contact us at [email protected]
Non-refundable $50 deposit required to reserve camp registration. Registrants can choose to pay deposit and balance at the same time. Deposit must be paid online, balance can be paid online, in person, over the phone, or by mail-in check.
Once registered, parents/guardians must download, complete, and submit via mail or email the following forms and waivers:
Behavioral and Sickness Policy Agreement
Medical Background & Health History Form
Photo & Video Release Form
Waiver & Release of Liability
Counselor-in-Training positions are available for local students ages 14-17!
Tails & Tales Summer Camp
June 21 - 25
1st - 3rd Grades
Learn why opossums have naked tails, vultures have bald heads, and mosquitos buzz in people’s ears through local to international stories and tall tales. These stories will guide our outdoor explorations. Meeting LIVE animals, fun activities, basket weaving, crafts, and music will reinforce our newly found knowledge.
Wild Wisdom Summer Camp
June 21 - 25
4th - 6th Grades
We will introduce natural history through the retelling of legends, stories, and myths from cultures around the world. These stories will guide our outdoor explorations. Meeting LIVE animals, hands-on activities, crafts, basket weaving, games, and music will reinforce our newly found knowledge.
(SOLD OUT) Creative Creations Summer Camp
June 28 - July 2
Grades 1st - 3rd
Nature will inspire campers’ imaginations through art, music, movement, and role-playing. Each day campers have fun exploring the sanctuary, meeting live animals, and being creative.
(SOLD OUT) Art of Nature Summer Camp
June 28 - July 2
Grades 4th - 6th
Campers combine creative expression and exploring nature through art, music, movement, and role-playing. They learn about the natural world and meet live animals to inspire imagination and creation.
(SOLD OUT) Fascinating Creatures Summer Camp
July 5 - 9
Grades 1st - 3rd
Whether they have fur or feathers, crawl or fly, hop or swim, the wild animals of our world have always captured our imagination. Which animal is the fastest, biggest, or strongest? Meet some of the coolest LIVE animals this week.
Predators & Prey Summer Camp
July 5 - 9
Grades 4th - 6th
This week campers will learn about the ancient relationship between predator and prey! Discover survival strategies like camouflage, while searching for predators and their prey throughout the sanctuary. Campers will get up close and personal will some LIVE predators and prey, too.
(SOLD OUT) Wild Survivors Summer Camp
July 12 - 16
Grades 1st - 3rd
Discover how humans, plants, and wild animals survive in the forest. Pretend to find bears and learn what to do, build emergency shelters (aka forts), role play getting lost, and learn how to stay safe. Meet some LIVE animals and learn how they stay safe and find food, water, and shelter.
(SOLD OUT) Surviving in the Wild Summer Camp
July 12 - 16
Grades 4th - 6th
Discover how humans, plants, and wild animals survive. Campers will learn survival skills through hands-on experiences! Campers will safely build shelters, learn basic way-finding skills, procure food and water, and cook on a fire during this week of adventure. Meet some LIVE animal ambassadors and learn how they survive in the wild.
(SOLD OUT) All Creatures Big & Small Summer Camp
July 19 - 23
Grades 1st - 3rd
Each day campers will investigate a new type of animal group found at the sanctuary, using everything from field guides to bug jars. Campers will explore insects, birds, mammals, and more during this week dedicated to the animal kingdom. LIVE animal encounters, stream study, hiking, games, and more.
All About Animals Summer Camp
July 19 - 23
Grades 4th - 6th
Campers will learn all about reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, fish, insects, and spiders during this week of animal adventures! Campers will practice using tools by professional scientists. LIVE animal encounters, stream study, hiking, games, and more.
(SOLD OUT) Wild Discoveries Summer Camp
July 26 - 30
Grades 1st - 3rd
Discover nature in the strangest places! Look under logs, splash in a stream, and search through a puddle during this week of nature investigation. Campers will see the natural world from different perspectives as they scan the treetops and examine the stones beneath their feet. Uncover how the Sanctuary’s LIVE animal ambassadors would live in the wild.
Nature Scene Investigators (N.S.I.) Summer Camp
July 26 - 30
Grades 4th - 6th
Who left that track in the mud? Who made that nest? Who is swashing in a stream? Who lives there? Campers will investigate clues in nature during this week of exploration and sleuthing. Come be a Nature Scene Investigator! Uncover how the animals at the sanctuary live in the wild.
(SOLD OUT) Nature Games Summer Camp
Aug 2 - 6
Grades 1st - 3rd
Campers will discover the natural world, and more about themselves, through interactive games and activities. Animal encounters, hiking, teambuilding, scavenger hunts, and more!
Woodland Games Summer Camp
Aug 2 - 6
Grades 4th - 6th
Campers will have the opportunity to learn by playing outdoor games, doing scavenger hunts, and tackling teambuilding challenges. Animal encounters, hiking, games, and so much more!
Young Naturalist Summer Camp
Aug 9 - 13
Grades 1st - 3rd
Start your campers on their path to becoming naturalists! Campers will track wild animals, identify trees, and learn some of the basic tools of a naturalist while exploring nature firsthand. Campers will meet LIVE animals and learn how to identify them.
Nature Adventure Summer Camp
Aug 9 - 13
Grades 4th - 6th
Learn all about Appalachian plants and animals with hiking, stream study, LIVE animal encounters, raptors up close, owl pellet dissection, telemetry scavenger hunt, team building, and more. Meeting LIVE animals will be the greatest adventure.