Category Archives: Outdoor / Nature

Outdoor / Nature Camp or Activity

Falcon Camp

Falcon Camp
Phone: 800/837-CAMP

Web: falconcamp.com

Email: info@falconcamp.com

contact person: Dave Devey

subject/content: Traditional summer camp with archery, riflery, tennis, swimming, sailing, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, nature study, multiple team sports, crafts, drama, creative arts, video, photography, rocketry, overnight camping, leadership training,much more.

age/grade level: ages 6 – 16  Elementary, Middle, High school

type (day/overnight/other): Overnight

length of program: 2, 4 ,6 or 8 weeks.  June 23  – August 17

cost: $2225 – $6925

financial aid?: very limited aid available

Notes:  Widely recognized throughout the Midwest as Ohio’s premier private camp, Falcon Camp offers a beautiful lakefront setting, a talented experienced staff and a wide variety of activities. Falcon accepts boys and girls ages 6-16 and is celebrating its 54th summer. Program includes horseback riding, sailing, swimming, canoeing, fishing, rocketry, drama, crafts, team sports, riflery, archery, nature, overnights, special events and field trips, tennis, and much more. Campers choose their own activities within a general framework each day.

Falcon is a traditional, rustic camp where major ingredients to success are taking good care of our campers and creating an atmosphere of encouragement and understanding. Our 4 to 1 camper/staff ratios allow us to give each Falcon camper individual attention necessary to assure a summer of fun and learning. “Fun for Now, Skills for Life” is not just our motto, the phrase truly embodies what Falcon means, how we teach, and our goals for each camper.

We have a strong reputation for making sure a camper’s first overnight experience is very positive. Our non-competitive environment is inviting to campers who may be hesitant to try something they have never done before, while our awards system challenges our most experienced campers. We instruct from beginner to advanced in each activity we offer.

With an average 70% camper return rate, Falcon has a nice mixture of “old hands” and new faces. Over the past several years Falcon has been host to campers from 18 different states and eight countries. The majority of campers attend from the Cleveland, Columbus, and Pittsburgh areas, all within easy driving distance.

Falcon is an outstanding opportunity for fun and learning. A summer at Falcon is a special experience where good things happen by design.

 

Falcon Young Adventure Camp

Falcon Young Adventure Camp

sponsor: Falcon Camp

phone: 800/837-CAMP

website: www.falconcamp.com

email: info@falconcamp.com

Contact person: Dave Devey

subject:  Special introductory program for first time young campers. Intro to overnight camp for boys and girls.

age/grade level: ages 6 – 9. elementary school

type: Overnight

length of program: one week sessions,  July 27 – August 2, August 3 – August 9

cost: $1100/week

financial aid available: yes

notes:

Falcon Young Adventure Camp is a unique and exciting introduction to overnight camping for boys and girls ages 6 -9. These one-week programs are designed with care to guide the campers in being successful with their first great “Young Adventure” away from home. Program includes horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, archery, air rifles, crafts, sports, rocketry, fishing, tennis and much more. Young Adventure Camp takes place within Falcon Camp’s traditional camping program and they have the opportunity to observe and occasionally join the older campers. A 1:2 staff/camper ratio gives us the ability to keep a close eye on each camper with a staff member always available with a helping hand. This will provide a very personal camp experience for young first time campers.  In the living units, this also allows for more attention to “parental concerns” such as eating right, brushing your teeth and the classic standard: I know it’s your favorite shirt but you still can’t wear it every day!  The Young Adventurers travel as a group with a counselor to all activity areas.  At each activity they will learn the basic skills needed to enjoy themselves safely.

The Dawes Arboretum Summer Camps: Art – 6 – 11-years-old

Color Me Wild!

July 1 – 3

9am – 3pm

$90/$75 members

6-11-year olds

40 max

The three day exciting art camp explores how the colors in nature can inspire your artwork!  Create your own unique artwork to take home, as well as, work collaboratively to create a work of art that will be displayed on grounds.

Art in the Arb

July 22 – 26

9-11-year olds: 1 – 4pm

$100/$70 members

20 max

With the outdoors as inspiration, campers learn to create art from nature using found objects, natural materials, and traditional media. Each day explores different techniques such as sketching, watercolor painting, photography, and sculpture. At the end of the week, campers show off their unique masterpieces at an Art in the Arb reception!  All campers must bring a lunch and water bottle.

contact:
Jennilyn Haer, Volunteer Coordinator, jmhaer@dawesarb.org
The Dawes Arboretum
7770 Jacksontown Rd. SE
Newark, Ohio 43056 USA
PH. (800) 44-DAWES or (740) 323-2355
FAX. (740) 323- 4058
http://www.dawesarb.org

The Dawes Arboretum Summer Camps: 9 – 11-years-old

Camp Dawes – 9-11-year olds

June 10 – 14 or June 24 – 28

9am – 3pm

$125/$100 members, reservations required

9-11-year olds

20 max

Children become adventurers who journey into a world of tall trees, wetlands and prairies.  Expand their understanding of the natural world through exhilarating hikes, outdoor-inspired crafts and scientific experiments.  Campers will enrich their understanding of our first settlers by learning about Native American Culture and visiting our Indian Mounds.  Construct and add to a young naturalist field guide all week and then take it home to further inquire and record your observations of your natural surroundings.  Enjoy five days of fun while forming bonds with nature and new friends.  A truly memorable summer experience is created.  All campers must bring a lunch and water bottle.

Adventure Quest

June 17 – 21

9am – 3pm

$125/$100 members, reservations required

9-11-year olds

20 max

Explore nature, the environment and science throughout The Arboretum grounds during this adventure –filled week of camp.  This step-up from Camp Dawes provides thought-provoking activities while exploring plants, the wetlands, watershed and soil.  Each day participate in science-based activities that stimulate and enrich your awareness of conservation.   Cultivate a sense of adventure and learn new concepts to understanding the connection we have to the world around us.

Nature Experimenters

July 8 – 12

9am – 3pm

$125/$100 members

9-11-year olds

20 max

The perfect camp for the scientist in us all!  Campers will conduct experiments each day to discover our natural surroundings.  Instructors will discuss and explore through hands-on experiments how and why animals, insects and plants function the way they do.  At the end of camp, take home your experiments and watch them progress over time.

Plants VS Zombies

July 15 – 19

9am – 3pm

20 max

$125/$100 members

11-14-year olds

What if zombies took over The Arboretum?  Who would save us?  The plants!  Campers will explore plants each day and their value to our lives and the environment.  Critical thinking and creative skills will be used to develop a garden space and play the game in real life.

Wilderness Survival

July 22 – 26

9-11-year olds: 9am – noon

$80/$55members

20 max

Develop your wilderness survival skills with this extreme hands-on specialty camp! Discover the finer points of preparing for your next big outdoor adventure. Learn a variety of useful skills including orienteering, cordage making, creating stone tools, building natural shelters, and harvesting wild edible plants. It’s a wonderful mix of wilderness survival training, science, nature and fun!

contact:
Jennilyn Haer, Volunteer Coordinator, jmhaer@dawesarb.org
The Dawes Arboretum
7770 Jacksontown Rd. SE
Newark, Ohio 43056 USA
PH. (800) 44-DAWES or (740) 323-2355
FAX. (740) 323- 4058
http://www.dawesarb.org

The Dawes Arboretum Summer Camps: 6 – 8-years-old

Camp Dawes – 6-8-year olds

June 10 – 14, 2013 or June 24 – 28

9am – 3pm

$125/$100 members, reservations required

20 max

Young adventurers revel in a fun-filled week of outdoor exploration and learning.  Observe animals in their natural habitat, discover the wonder of woodlands and wade through streams.  Each day is a new adventure with science-based educational activities and crafts to nurture creativity.  Construct and add to a young naturalist field guide all week and then take it home to further inquire and record observations of your natural surroundings.  Growing a lifelong relationship with the earth is the heart of the Camp Dawes experience.

Nature Investigators

June 17 – 21

9am – 3pm

$125/$100 members, reservations required

6-8-year olds

20 max

Do you have the curiosity of an adventurer?  Each day of camp will begin with a riddle that will inspire the day’s investigations.  Learn and use deductive reasoning skills to solve clues while discovering the unknowns of the natural world.  Complete camp challenges, solve mysteries, play games, observe creatures, engage in hands-on activities and create nature inspired crafts all while fostering a love for nature.

Bugology

July 8 – 12

9am – 3pm

$125/$100 members

6-8-year olds

20 max

This camp is for the bug lover!  Learn how to identify bugs and start a bug collection.  Journey the grounds searching for signs of insects, habitats and observe the effect they have on our environment.  Build a bug box and create your own tools to catch insects.  Get hands-on with a visit from a bug specialist!

Nature Sensors

July 15 – 19

9am – 3pm

$125/$100 members

6-8-year olds

20 max

All campers must have completed one year of kindergarten.

We rely on our senses the most to explore the environment.  Each day will be devoted to a new sense and discovering how mammals, insects and amphibians use their senses differently than humans.  Delve into your theatrical side and become an animal to experience what it would be like as you interact with the natural world.  Creative activities and games will help campers discover how animals adapt to survive in the wild.

contact:
Jennilyn Haer, Volunteer Coordinator, jmhaer@dawesarb.org
The Dawes Arboretum
7770 Jacksontown Rd. SE
Newark, Ohio 43056 USA
PH. (800) 44-DAWES or (740) 323-2355
FAX. (740) 323- 4058
http://www.dawesarb.org

Wellington School Summer Options

Peggy Berger, Director
3650 Reed Rd.
Columbus, OH 43220
614-324-8882
www.wellington.org/summer

Have you ever wanted to learn how Egyptians made mummies? Or wished you could be in a play such as the Hobbit? Maybe you’ve wanted to develop Android apps or learn to create Robots or become a chef of global cuisine! It’s all in a Wellington summer.

From June 10 to August 16, 2013 students from Pre-K – 12 can choose from sports and field trip camps, fine and performing arts classes, and hands-on enrichment options such as SciGirls, Playing the Stock Market, or an immersion-style foreign language. Students will find a relaxed environment with passionate, caring instructors who inspire the pursuit of lifelong learning.

Columbus Metro Parks

Metro Parks offer one-week camps for children in preschool through grade 9.  (Camps are based on the grade completed as of June 2013, NOT the grade they will be entering in the fall.) Camps are located in 6 different Metro Parks: Battelle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods, Blendon Woods, Highbanks, Sharon Woods and Slate Run. Cost varies with the type of camp: $70 – $140. Scholarships available to those who qualify. Camp Registration begins March 21 at 8:00 am. In order to speed up the registration process, beginning February 28, you can create or update your child’s account  information and preview camp selections prior to camp registration.  Beginning late February, more information will appear on our website, www.metroparks.net, or you can call 614-891-0700 for a camp brochure.

YMCA Day Camp at Hickory Lakes

  • Sponsor: YMCA of Central Ohio
  • Location: Hickory Lakes
  • Phone: 614-834-9622 (Branch)
  • Fax: 614-834-9625 (Branch)
  • Web: http://www.ymcacolumbus.org/daycamp_2013/day-camp-location/ymca-day-camp-at-hickory-lakes/
  • Email: egarver@ymcacolumbus.org
  • Contact Person: Evan Garver
  • Age/Grade level: Entering 1st through 6th grade
  • Time: 8:30am-3:30pm (Before and After Care available)
  • Length of program: 1 week (10 total weeks available)
  • Cost: $115 for Family Members; $135 for Youth-only Members; $155 for Non-Members
  • Financial aid available? Yes
  • Before and After care available? Yes
  • Notes: Summer just wouldn’t be the same without the fun and challenge of our Day Camp program. With different themes each week, you won’t want to miss a single one. Swim lessons included each week of camp!
  • Online registration available!

YMCA Day Camp at Jerry L. Garver YMCA

  • Sponsor: YMCA of Central Ohio
  • Location: Jerry L. Garver YMCA
  • Phone: 614-834-9622 (Branch)
  • Fax: 614-834-9625 (Branch)
  • Web: http://www.ymcacolumbus.org/daycamp_2013/day-camp-location/jerry-l-garver-ymca/
  • Email: egarver@ymcacolumbus.org
  • Contact Person: Evan Garver
  • Age/Grade level: Entering 1st through 6th grade
  • Time: 8:30am-3:30pm (Before and After Camp care available)
  • Length of program: 1 week (10 total weeks available)
  • Cost: $115 for Family Members; $135 for Youth-only Members; $155 for Non-Members
  • Financial aid available? Yes
  • Notes: Summer just wouldn’t be the same without the fun and challenge of our sports-themed Day Camp program. With a different sport introduced each week, you won’t want to miss a single one. Swim lessons included each week of camp!
  • Online registration available!

YMCA TeenXtreme Camp at Hickory Lakes

  • Sponsor: YMCA of Central Ohio
  • Location: Hickory Lakes
  • Phone: 614-834-9622 (Branch)
  • Fax: 614-834-9625 (Branch)
  • Web: http://www.ymcacolumbus.org/daycamp_2013/camp/teenxtreme-and-teen-programs/
  • Email: egarver@ymcacolumbus.org
  • Contact Person: Evan Garver
  • Age/Grade level: Entering 7th through 9th grade
  • Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
  • Length of program: 1 week (10 total weeks available)
  • Cost: $135 for Family Members; $155 for Youth-only Members; $175 for Non-Members
  • Financial aid available? Yes
  • Notes: TeenXtreme is more than your regular day camp…it’s a whole bunch of exciting activities including field trips, designed especially for teens. Don’t miss out on a summer that’s way out of the ordinary!
  • Online registration available!

YMCA Camp Willson

Founded in 1918, YMCA Camp Willson is Central Ohio’s premiere overnight summer camp for Boys and Girls ages 7-17. We offer programs that teach Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. Activities include: swimming, water trampoline, cookouts, campfires, high ropes course, rock wall, sports, arts and crafts, survival skills, archery, horseback riding and much, much, more. Accredited by the American Camping Association. Visit www.ymcacampwillson.org for more information.

Columbus Recreation and Parks

Columbus Recreation and Parks
Phone: (614) 645-7000 Fax: (614) 645-0686
Web: www.columbusrecparks.com
Email: wmfrantz@columbus.gov
Contact person: Wendy Frantz
Age/grade level: Pre-K (ages 4-5), Elementary (ages 6-12), Middle, High School
Type : Day Camps
Length of camps: Weekly, June 10 – August 2, 2013; register for as many weeks as you want
Hours:  Varies; Core hours are 9 am-4 pm (many camps offer early drop off and late pick up)
Cost: $40-$165 per week
Financial aid?: Yes
Registration:  Register online beginning Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 10 am.  In-person registration will also be on Saturday, March 16 from 10am-4pm at any Community Center.  Mail-in registration will begin March 18.
Program Description:   The sports-minded camper can choose from basketball, cheerleading, football, gymnastics, hockey, soccer, tennis, or track and field.  A week at Smith Farms for the Great Art Getaway will inspire the budding artist.  Those campers who want to learn how to dance will be taught basic to advanced movement within hip hop as well as an infusion of traditional West African style at the Traditional Digital Dance Camp.  And for those who like a little bit of everything, center camps are the choice for you.  Center camps are held at Barnett, Far East, Lazelle, Tuttle, Whetstone and Woodward Park Community Centers.  Even Grandparents aren’t left out – they can spend a week with their grandchildren (ages 8-14) at “Gram and Gramp” camp.