Summer Camp Registration at Great Hollow Nature Preserve & Ecological Research Center is open
Eco-Discovery Camp registration at Great Hollow is currently open to all. This summer's schedule features some past favorites as well as some new weekly themes and learning topics. Below, you will find direct links to register for individual sessions. It's sure to be a fantastic summer! Grab your spots today before they are all gone. Please contact our camp director Tara with any questions or for additional information.
June 20 - 24
Spend your week exploring Great Hollow’s Quaker Brook! We’ll catch crayfish and other critters, go on stream walks, visit our waterfall, and learn where all of the water comes from and where it will eventually go. We’ll be busy having so much fun that you won’t even realize we’re learning all about the water cycle, watersheds, and the importance of healthy streams.
Topics covered: states of water; water cycle; aquatic ecosystems; aquatic plant and animal adaptations; water pollution; aquatic macroinvertebrates as biological indicators; watersheds; best management practices
Arts and crafts activities: terrariums; water pollution multi-media art; painting with watercolors; tie-dye.
June 27 - July 1
We’ve all seen the woods, but have you ever really seen the woods? This week we will explore all aspects of our native forests from trees to fungi to insects and other wildlife.
Topics covered: forest ecology; plant and tree identification; dendrochronology; producers, consumers, and decomposers; native and invasive species; entomology
Arts and crafts activities: leaf and bark rubbings; mushroom fairy houses; pressed botanical art; woodland animal ornament; insect art
July 5 - 8
Register Here
Did you know that Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter also had a passion for mycology? Or that Marie Curie nearly didn’t receive credit for her first Nobel Prize simply because she was a woman? Spend your week learning about these women and other important contributions pioneering women have made to the world of science.
Topics covered: natural history; mycology; botany; entomology; primatology; chemistry; genetics; paleontology
Arts and crafts activities: Nature journaling, watercolor, fossil making; edible DNA model.
July 11 - 15
Spend your week exploring Great Hollow’s Quaker Brook! We’ll catch crayfish and other critters, go on stream walks, visit our waterfall, and learn where all of the water comes from and where it will eventually go. We’ll be busy having so much fun that you won’t even realize we’re learning all about the water cycle, watersheds, and the importance of healthy streams.
Topics covered: states of water; water cycle; aquatic ecosystems; aquatic plant and animal adaptations; water pollution; aquatic macroinvertebrates as biological indicators; watersheds; best management practices
Arts and crafts activities: terrariums; water pollution multi-media art; painting with watercolors; tie-dye; homemade ice cream in a bag
July 18 - 22
Register Here
We have all seen the woods, but have you ever really seen the woods? This week we will explore all aspects of our native forests from the various tree species to plants and fungi to insects and other animals.
Topics covered: forest ecology; plant and tree identification; dendrochronology; producers, consumers, and decomposers; native and invasive species; entomology
Arts and crafts activities: leaf and bark rubbings; mushroom fairy houses; pressed botanical art; woodland animal art; painted insect rocks
July 25 - 29
Register Here
Can you build a canoe using only birch bark? Do you think you can make a sturdier nest than a bird? This week we are putting our creativity and engineering skills to the test. Spend the week completing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) challenges related to the natural world.
Topics covered: biomimicry; geometry; solar energy; chemistry; art; engineering
Arts and crafts activities: paper making; shibori tie-dye; elephant toothpaste; solar s’mores oven, weaving, boat-making
August 1 - 5
Register Here
Do you have what it takes to build a stick boat? Can you make a dam that is sturdier than a beaver dam? This week we are putting our creativity and engineering skills to the test. Spend the week completing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) challenges related to the natural world.
Topics covered: biomimicry; geometry; solar energy; chemistry; art; engineering
Arts and crafts activities: paper making; shibori tie-dye; elephant toothpaste; solar s’mores oven, weaving, boat-making; model beaver dam
August 8 - 12
Register Here
Do you have what it takes to make your way through the woods? This week, we’ll cover topics to help you find your way through the wilderness and survive in the forest. Learn how to use a map-and-compass, how to build a shelter, give basic first aid, find fresh water in the woods, and forage for food.
Topics covered: staying found; what to do if lost; navigation; topography; map-reading; survival; engineering; orienteering; edible plants; botany; team-building and interpersonal communication; first-aid; health and fitness
Arts and crafts activities: map-making; pressed flowers and foliage; creating a first-aid kit; shelter-building
August 15 - 19
Register Here
If you want to hone your outdoor survival skills or see if you have what it takes to survive (and thrive) in the wild, then join us for this adventurous week at Great Hollow! We’ll spend our days practicing outdoor survival skills such as fire building, cordage making, shelter building, map and compass use, off-trail navigation, and more. Then on Friday you’ll test your newfound skills in a challenge to safely find your way out of the woods (with adults of course!).
Topics covered: what to always carry on a hike; map reading; fire building and safety; shelter building; staying found; what to do if lost; compass use; map making; off-trail navigation; edible and medicinal plant ID; animal tracking; water collection and filtration; useful knots; basic wilderness first aid.
Arts and crafts activities: paracord bracelet; basket weaving; making a first-aid kit; plaster of Paris animal track impression; cooking over a campfire