2022 Summer Nature Camps
Our Summer Nature Camps, designed for youth entering grades 1st – 6th, get kids outdoors, developing a deeper connection with the natural world through fun and educational activities. We provide a professional environmental education specialist 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, and conducting experiments fill the campers’ days. Off-site trips may be included to study water creatures or explore regional highlights. Campers can choose topics of interest or join us for the entire summer!
Hawk Mountain Members receive $50 off of each week of camp. To become a member, please visit us at hawkmountain.org/join
Joining us for 4 weeks of camp or more? Receive a $50 off promo code to be used towards 1 week of camp.
Promotional code can only be used one time. Discount is valid if you register for 4 weeks total, which is equivalent to registering 2 campers for 2 weeks each.
Do you know a young person who would benefit from time outdoors? The IDEA Fund Nature Camp Scholarship will cover the full tuition costs of Summer Nature Camp for each scholarship recipient. Partial aid may also be awarded. For more details and to submit an application, please click here.
* 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: $265, $215 for Members
Registering for 4 or more weeks? You qualify for a $50 discount! Contact us at [email protected]
Non-refundable $50 deposit is required to reserve camp registration. Please note that the deposit and remaining balance for each week of camp is now on separate pages. Please see the event description of the week of camp you are registering to find the link to the remaining balance; thank you for your patience as we try a new registration process! 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 to [email protected]:
Behavioral and Sickness Policy Agreement
Medical Background & Health History Form
Photo & Video Release Form
Waiver & Release of Liability
Transportation Waiver (Only needed for camp weeks 5-8)
Counselor-in-Training positions are available for local students ages 14-17!
SOLD OUT - Creative Creations Summer Camp
June 20 - 24
1st - 3rd Grades
Nature will inspire campers’ imaginations through art, music, movement, role-playing, sculpture, and more! Each day campers have fun exploring the sanctuary, meeting live animals, and being creative.
SOLD OUT - Art of Nature Summer Camp
June 20 - 24
4th - 6th Grades
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 - Wild Survivors Summer Camp #1
June 27 - July 1
Grades 1st - 3rd
Learn about people of the past and what techniques they used to survive in nature. Discover how plants and wild animals from years ago survived in the forest. Meet some LIVE animals and learn how they stay safe and find food, water, and shelter.
SOLD OUT - Surviving in the Wild Summer Camp #1
June 27 - July 1
Grades 4th - 6th
Learn techniques that people utilized hundreds of years ago in order to live off the land. Discover how past humans, plants, and wild animals survived, and listen to stories of the past. 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 - Fascinating Creatures Summer Camp
July 4 - 8
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 4 - 8
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 #2
July 11 - 15
Grades 1st - 3rd
Discover how humans, plants, and wild animals survive in the forest. Learn what to do when encountering wildlife, build emergency shelters, role play getting lost, and stay safe. Meet some LIVE animals and learn how they stay safe and find food, water, and shelter.
Surviving in the Wild Summer Camp #2
July 11 - 15
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 18 - 22
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. Off-site stream study included this week.
All About Animals Summer Camp
July 18 - 22
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. Off-site stream study included this week.
SOLD OUT - Wild Discoveries Summer Camp
July 25 - 29
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. Off-site stream study included this week.
Nature Scene Investigators (N.S.I.) Summer Camp
July 25 - 29
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. Off-site stream study included this week.
SOLD OUT - Nature Games Summer Camp
Aug 1 - 5
Grades 1st - 3rd
Campers will discover the natural world, and more about themselves, through interactive games and activities. Animal encounters, hiking, stream study fun, teambuilding, scavenger hunts, and more! Off-site stream study included this week.
Woodland Games Summer Camp
Aug 1 - 5
Grades 4th - 6th
Campers will have the opportunity to learn by playing outdoor games, splashing in a stream, doing scavenger hunts, and tackling teambuilding challenges. Animal encounters, hiking, games, and so much more! Off-site stream study included this week.
Young Naturalist Summer Camp
Aug 8 - 12
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. Off-site stream study included this week.
Nature Adventure Summer Camp
Aug 8 - 12
Grades 4th - 6th
Campers will put on their “naturalist hats” and explore their environment! Learn all about Appalachian plants and animals with hiking, stream study, LIVE animal encounters, raptors up close, owl pellet dissection, team building, and more. Meeting LIVE animals will be the greatest adventure. Off-site stream study included this week.